Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

I have 2 versions of Thunderbird on my Windows PC but can not find instructions to remove one of them.

  • 19 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by david

more options

Show me step-by-step instructions to remove one of the two versions of Thunderbird on my Windows 10 PC

Show me step-by-step instructions to remove one of the two versions of Thunderbird on my Windows 10 PC

All Replies (19)

more options

Tell us more. For example, are they two different releases, such as release version and beta version? Where is each installed? Are they using the same profile?

more options

I think they are different releases and they both use the same profile. The Thunderbird Icon permanently shows "Thunderbird (2). I frequently get a message saying that Thunderbird is already running and must be closed before Thunderbird can start. I hope this is helpful.

more options

It 'sounds like one is a beta. The current release version is 102.6 and the beta is at 109. If you click the uninstall feature in WIndows, you should see the beta version separate from the release version. To be safe, I encourage backing up the profile folder first from the release version - tools>export should do it. Also, the beta would be using a different profile. Your two versions would be accessing the same accounts, but in different profiles.

more options

I can see version 102.6.1 but not 102.9 when I look in Apps & Features. I do not know how to do the backup tools>export you mention. Is there somewhere else to look for Beta 102.9? Sorry to be so helpless.

more options

Looking at help>about will tell you the version number. Clicking tools>export will export the profile.

more options

Using help>about produced the following:

Thunderbird 102.6.1 (32bit) Release Notes Thunderbird is up to date. Tried to take a screenshot of this but without success

(I had an update a few days ago so I am happy with 102.6.1, but I still do not know where to find the Beta version 102.9 and delete it) Thank you very much for you guidance so far.

more options

Are you sure you have two versions of Thunderbird? How do you know it?

more options

When I click Thunderbird on my Taskbar I see "Thunderbird (2)" and when I click on this I frequently get a message like "Thunderbird is already running. You must close the old version before the new one can open".

This is what makes me believe there are two versions running. Thanks again for your ongoing help.

more options

Okay, when you run that, click help>about to see what version it is. Are you using IMAP accounts or POP accounts? Click help>moretroubleshoootinginformation, scroll down to Profiles, click 'open profile' and note the explicit location of the profile. Then, exit thunderbird and start the other one and repeat the procedure. Which one shows the accurate information (the accounts and the addressbook)?

more options

Thank you David. My apologies for the delay in replying. We have just entered our 3rd week without Central Heating so trying to get a repair has been my priority.

In answer to your most recent message I am using IMAP. When I follow your instructions re Profiles I get the following steps: "William/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/maf1u9uq.default" (I notice that this was created on 19 January 2014)

You suggest that I now exit Thunderbird and "start the other one". Unfortunately, I have no way of distinguishing one from the other and cannot choose which to open.

I wonder if there is no other version, because I see no sign of Beta 102.9, and that the problem lies with the Task Manager Icon showing Thunderbird (2)? Could I remove the (2) and do some kind of restart which might clear the so far unidentified second version? Thanks again. Happy 2023 in case I don't hear from you until January or ever.

more options

Okay, there are likely other ways to skin this cat, but here's a suggestion. There is a small FREE utility called 'everything' at this URL: voidtools dot com download and run it. this utility searches quickly for anything you type in. I use the program frequently to find stuff. enter in thunderbird.exe and it will quickly show you every copy on the PC. That will confirm the number of copies. Please share what you find and we can go from there. I hope you get your central heating working soon.

more options

Hello again David. Thank you for "Everything" though I didn't find it easy and I don't really know if I found the answer. However, at the bottom of this message I have copied and pasted a portion of a .wer report which shows the word "Version 1" at the top and does not show a version 2 anywhere else. At the bottom of this document there are 7 instances of the Words "Signature Problem" which may not be relevant, but which I thought worth sending, just in case.

I think that I should not take any more of your time on this issue and simply live with the two Thunderbirds issue You have tried very hard to help but I feel I am not competent enough to take advantage of your help. I am 84 years of age and unfortunately, did not get into computer use until quite late in my working life.

Central Heating is waiting for an out of stock component which is allegedly coming on the 16 January! Thanks for all your efforts. Bill Majurey

Version=1 EventType=PCA2 EventTime=132741048041343511 Consent=1 UploadTime=132741048046342884 ReportStatus=2147491840 ReportIdentifier=0d2580ba-88ed-44d5-95e5-dc667a503e0c Wow64Host=34404 OriginalFilename=thunderbird.exe AppSessionGuid=0000273c-000f-0011-839e-7e484797d701 TargetAppId=W:0000f519feec486de87ed73cb92d3cac802400000000!0000540745f1ce67423a156069218680b9da873b4778!sdiagnhost.exe TargetAppVer=2070//01//01:17:56:49!f6b6!sdiagnhost.exe BootId=4294967295 TargetAsId=6198 IsFatal=4294967295 EtwNonCollectReason=4 Response.type=4 Sig[0].Name=Problem Signature 01 Sig[0].Value=thunderbird.exe Sig[1].Name=Problem Signature 02 Sig[1].Value=78.13.0.7884 Sig[2].Name=Problem Signature 03 Sig[2].Value=Thunderbird Sig[3].Name=Problem Signature 04 Sig[3].Value=Thunderbird Sig[4].Name=Problem Signature 05 Sig[4].Value=Mozilla Corporation Sig[5].Name=Problem Signature 06 Sig[5].Value=100 Sig[6].Name=Problem Signature 07 Sig[6].Value=1

more options

I'm not giving up yet. My concern is that a future update may cause problems. I am attaching a screenshot of what the Everything utility looks like. Start it and fill in as the arrow shows. On right side of screen will be the full location of where the program is stored, although my screenshot has part of that cut off. Are you now using both versions? And do you know which version you're using? Anyway, I hope this helps.

more options

Thank you for your persistence. Have tried "Everything" again and got a result which I have tried to copy and paste to send to you but it won't work. It consists of 5 lines of Information, in 4 columns, namely Name, Path, Size and Date modified. The items listed are as follows: Name1/2023 THUNDERBIRD.EXE_FC300F7E.pf Size: 56KB Date: 03/01/2023 THUNDERBIRD.EXE_FC300F7E.pf.lnk Size: 1KB Date: 03/01/20231 NonCritical_thunderbird.exe_e1bd........a long string of numbers and letters No Size: Date: 22/08/2021 NonCritical_thunderbird.exe_e1bd........the same long string with .lnk on the end Size: 5KB Date: 02/01/2023 Thunderbird Icon then thunderbird.exe (this simply opens my email) Size: 353 KB Date: 21/12/2022

I hope you understand this and it helps in some way. Thanks again for everything and Everything. Bill Majurey

more options

path would be most helpful. There is a little free snapshot utility available at this URL: bluefive dot pair dot com that would let you snap a photo into a jpg and upload it. It's a handy tool for whenever you need a screenshot.

more options

Hi David, I can't seem to make the bluefive thingy to work, so I have copied the Path Information below in the same order as the 5 line list I sent yesterday. I hope that provides the information you are looking for. Path 1 C:\Windows\Prefetch

Path 2 C:\Users\William\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

Path 3 C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive

Path 4 C:\Users\William\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

Path 5 C:\Program Files (X86)\Mozilla Thunderbird

Thanks yet again for your efforts. Bill Majurey

more options

tt seems you have just one version installed. . You can verify version by clicking help>about. . If you have version 102, I suggest backing up profile periodically with tools>export, to protect against a computer crash or a flawed upgrade.

more options

Thank you again David for your prompt reply. It makes me feel I have been wasting your time on a wild goose chase.

I have three further questions: 1 Would it be sensible to delete the 4 other "Thunderbirds" on the list I sent? (if it is possible)

2 Could you please give me a step by step guide to do the backing up you advise.

3 How can I save our entire set of exchanges

If you can help me with these questions, I'll get out of your hair, but I wish you lived next door!

Thank you for all the help you have provided.

Bill Majurey

more options

I suggest leaving everything alone. Sometimes trying to clean up makes things worse. Unlesss your profile is huge (over 2 gig), the simplest way to backup is to use the Tools>export menu command, copying the profile to a USB stick or other external device. That should serve you well in case of a serious outage. All test best to you.