topic Re: Windows 10 reset in Everything else

Windows 10 reset

BB — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:17:12 GMT

Hi, I recently reset my Windows 10 laptop. Unfortunately it deleted my Thunderbird mail app. I reinstalled the app , but my folders and address book were not there. Some very recent inbox mails (12) were present but not older ones.

Anybody out there has any advice to retrieve them. I have tried everything inc profiles etc.

Many thanks

Re: Windows 10 reset

MisterW — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:11:49 GMT

@BB was Thunderbird configured for POP or IMAP to access your mail ?

If it was POP , then mail is downloaded and stored locally on your laptop, so unless you have a backup, then I'm afraid its gone.

If it was using IMAP, then mail should still be on the server.

Re: Windows 10 reset

Townman — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 11:55:08 GMT

@BB wrote:

I recently reset my Windows 10 laptop. Unfortunately it deleted my Thunderbird mail app.

How much of a "reset"?

One which reinstalled the OS, leaving your files untouched or one which reformatted the disk?

If it was just a reinstall, you might find the local mail files are still on the disk and be able to restore the local folders. See Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data | Thunderbird Help

Re: Windows 10 reset

MisterW — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:23:39 GMT

How much of a "reset"?

One which reinstalled the OS, leaving your files untouched or one which reformatted the disk?

@Townman good point...

Re: Windows 10 reset

Baldrick1 — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:46:48 GMT

If the former I'm surprised that Thunderbird was deleted.

@BB

If you log in to web mail have your emails disappeared?

Re: Windows 10 reset

BB — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:53:54 GMT

Hi, Thanks for all the responses. Just a reset , which took a while. Hard drive not formatted. Quite a few different apps were removed inc Thunderbird. I reinstalled TB , all folders gone except inbox which had about 12 latest emails.

Tried the profile route without success.

Re: Windows 10 reset

MisterW — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:53:08 GMT

@BB

I reinstalled TB , all folders gone except inbox which had about 12 latest emails.

When you reinstalled TB it will have created a new profile folder.

Have you looked in the profiles directory ( usually %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\ ) to see if an old profile still exists ?

Re: Windows 10 reset

BB — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:54:41 GMT

Hi all,
I have down easeus and diskdrill. Took ages to scan etc. Still not able to original profile. Some emails, but no folders or address book. In despair.

Re: Windows 10 reset

jab1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:58:54 GMT

@BB Have you followed @MisterW 's advice in post #7?

Re: Windows 10 reset

BB — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:01:35 GMT

Yes i have umpteen times

Re: Windows 10 reset

jab1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:02:33 GMT

And?

Re: Windows 10 reset

BB — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 21:57:16 GMT

And nothing ?

Re: Windows 10 reset

jab1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:04:50 GMT

It is a while since I've used a Windows OS - the last one was W7 - but unless Microsoft in their 'wisdom' have totally trashed the basics, I find that hard to believe.

However, as I have almost zero knowledge of their current practices, I'll leave it up to @MisterW / @Townman to try and help.

Re: Windows 10 reset

RobPN — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:24:51 GMT

@BB wrote:
And nothing ?

@BB

So are you saying you're not even seeing your newly created profile when following the path provided by MisterW?

From what you've said so far, ISTM you're expecting to see email folders and address book. AIUI, you won't.

What you should be seeing is a profile file which, AIUI, is what contains your emails and folders etc.

The profile filename will consist of a series of 8 random alphanumeric characters with probably a file extension of .default.

Assuming Win10 behaves the same way as Win7, try copying the path provided by MisterW into the address bar of a Windows file explorer window and press enter, which should land you right at the correct place.

Copied below for your convenience.

%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\

Re: Windows 10 reset

BB — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:44:14 GMT

Thanks ,

I have not got anywhere at all with whatever suggestions. I don't understand some of the txt abbreviations , but I don't think it will make any difference. At a total loss .Good old Microsoft.

Re: Windows 10 reset

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:28:57 GMT

If Thunderbird on Windows is anything like the Linux version, then you will need to "Show Hidden Files" or equivalent to be able to search for the Thunderbird data folder.

I'm unable to check and say exactly how you would do that - I also migrated to Tux many years ago!

Re: Windows 10 reset

Townman — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:12:27 GMT

In file explorer look at the options under VIEW.

Good call - as I’ve always got that set I don’t remember!!

Re: Windows 10 reset

RobPN — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 20:45:16 GMT

@Townman wrote:

Good call - as I’ve always got that set I don’t remember!!

Likewise @Townman, good call @Anonymous, something I never think about either!

Edit: @BB - abbreviations can always be Googled

Re: Windows 10 reset

BB — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:39:27 GMT

Hi, I managed to get my address book back. But no way to find my previous email folders.

Re: Windows 10 reset

RobPN — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:59:04 GMT

@BB

So did you find the old profile file, which would contain your address book along with everything else, subject to what @MisterW said about POP vs IMAP early in the thread?

Have you got 'Show Hidden Files' set as referred to (by @Anonymous and @Townman ) above?

Edit: punctuation