Windows 10 reset

[#1]

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

[#2]

@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.

[#3]

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@BB wrote:

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

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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

[#4]

How much of a "reset"?

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

@Townman good point...

[#5]

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

@BB 

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

[#6]

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.

[#7]

@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 ?

[#8]

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.

[#9]

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

[#10]

Yes i have umpteen times

[#11]

And?

[#12]

And nothing ?

[#13]

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.

[#14]

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@BB wrote:
And nothing ?

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@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\

[#15]

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.