Local files are no longer accessible in new Thunderbird
Using Mac Catalina. With Thunderbird 68.3.1, all my local folders vanished from the list, and when I look at the settings connected to "Local Folders" it says that it is a special account with no identities associated. I can't delete or change settings on Local Folders; I tried various modifications in profiles, but nothing seemed to work; I tried editing the "FolderTree.json" file in the profile, which lists some of the local files as belonging to "nobody", but I couldn't alter it in TextEdit either. When I log in using Terminal, I can see all the local files and open them, but I can't add any new files and it still says that no identity is associated. Should I try to set up a new profile, and if so, how?
Chosen solution
I don't know how you don't have a Mail/Local Folders directory, as that is automatically created in every TB profile, even one without any mail accounts (try it, create a new profile in about:profiles). Local Folders is always defined as 'special....', as it is the location for locally stored mail that is copied from all mail accounts, the Sent folder for newsgroups, or the specified location for drafts or unsent messages (Outbox). It's best to leave it with its default settings, and not rename it. There are add-ons to define additional 'Local Folders' if desired, or hide it.
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First, close TB, open the profile folder in Finder, open the Mail/Local Folders location, then delete all .msf files. Restart TB. Do the folders show under Local Folders in the Folder Pane?
If you want to create a new profile, Help/Troubleshooting Information, click about:profiles.
More complicated than that, but you put me on the right track. I had no subfolder Mail/Local Folders, so I created one, then moved all the files that I had put under Documents/Thunderbird to the new Local Folders folder and deleted the msf files. No effect; but then I changed the location of local folders in the Thunderbird settings to the new location, and they reappeared. The only remaining question is that when I look at the settings for Local Folders in TB, it still says 'special account with no identities associated'. Does that matter, and if so, how can I change it? Many thanks.
Chosen Solution
I don't know how you don't have a Mail/Local Folders directory, as that is automatically created in every TB profile, even one without any mail accounts (try it, create a new profile in about:profiles). Local Folders is always defined as 'special....', as it is the location for locally stored mail that is copied from all mail accounts, the Sent folder for newsgroups, or the specified location for drafts or unsent messages (Outbox). It's best to leave it with its default settings, and not rename it. There are add-ons to define additional 'Local Folders' if desired, or hide it.