is there more to the message? I think the text is indicative of another issue, like an anti virus that is scanning secure connections without being added to the certificates database.

Matt said

is there more to the message? I think the text is indicative of another issue, like an anti virus that is scanning secure connections without being added to the certificates database.

That's the entire popup message. Here is a snapshot. I have no separate anti virus program installed.

I looked up "certificates database" to see what it is. I am still not sure I understand it completely, However, perhaps it has something to do with another popup I get occasionally but rarely from thunderbird. I don't recall that exact message, but it's something like site A's certificate actually belongs to site B this may be (this part is not worded exactly like this for sure, but that's what it seems to be trying to say) it may be that this indicates someone is masquerading as site A.

The problem is that these site A emails are actually legitimate. So while I look at the popup information, I let those go ahead.

This makes me wonder are both things some mishandling or omitted handling of certificates? If so, what do I do about that?

Thank you.

What is your version of Thunderbird?

I am with christ1. Those images look a lot like version 1 or 2 to me. running on XP.

Lets get you as up to date as we can. there will never be another version of Thunderbird for XP after the current one. ANd if you are using XP and an old version of Thunderbird it may well be this is the start of it not communicating with anyone. Most of the encryption used a decade ago is being replaced with things that still work and have not been broken.

I'm stuck on XP SP2 because I have expensive peripherals that don't run on later versions. There are not even newer ones with comparable features.

As far as thunderbird goes, I am not a fan of upgrading software when the interfaces change for no apparent reason and for the worse. The last time I looked, it seemed to have gone to an ugly Chrome style interface. Plus I really Do Not Like having to learn new interfaces just because someone likes messing around.

Why the heck would I want a calendar and chat, for example cluttering up my email program. Why do I need screen real estate taken up by a date when Windows already has that feature, Why is it suddenly Get Messages instead of Get Mail.

All this whining applies to Windows versions as well, particularly when Microsoft comes out with a new version and the web is then full of people saying it's a mess.

However, it looks like I may not have a choice,

I looked at the apparent latest version, 52.7.0 and it does not appear to run on SP2. Is there a list somewhere of versions in order, so I can look back for one that does? I googled and all I found was a pointer to a list of directories, at https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/ each full of files of some sort or another.

What I would really like to see is a list of release numbers in order, clickable which would take me to the release notes and download for that version, Is there such a thing?

Also, am I to assume then I see 3.c, 38.b, 2,z in the directory listing link above, that it is using some number system that has 38 being smaller than 2?

first things first. can you update XP to service pack 3. You well get a later version if you can.

See here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/get-latest-version-thunderbird-windows-xp-vista

katkatkat said

Also, am I to assume then I see 3.c, 38.b, 2,z in the directory listing link above, that it is using some number system that has 38 being smaller than 2?

You are seeing numbers sorted alphabetically.

I have one laptop with XP SP3. Let me mess with it and see how it works with my peripherals, although their documentation says XP SP2. If they work, I can mess with the thunderbird installs. If that works, I can at least upgrade my other systems to SP3 and the more recent thunderbird.

Will the latest version of thunderbird incorporate my mail and folders from the version I have?

Thanks for your advice!

katkatkat said

Will the latest version of thunderbird incorporate my mail and folders from the version I have? Thanks for your advice!

The short answer is yes.

Matt, you said "there will never be another version of Thunderbird for XP after the current one"

I have time to install now and I am confused about which version of thunderbird to use. When I looked a few days ago, the download seemed to be 52.7.0

They seem to have updated to 38.5.0 and I can't find release notes anywhere to see if it works on XP SP2 or XP SP3. Which is the version that runs on XP SP2 or XP SP3?

Also what the heck with the non-sequential numbering...

I have one laptop with SP3 the others are SP2, so I can mess with either.

Thank you.

I am confused about which version of thunderbird to use.

The latest release version is at https://www.thunderbird.net/ (currently 52.7.0.

Check the Thunderbird system requirements. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/52.7.0/system-requirements/

They are part of the release notes. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/releases/

They seem to have updated to 38.5.0 and I can't find release notes anywhere

Not sure what you're up to wrt v38.5.0. About the release notes, as long as you're able to use Google it shouldn't be impossible to find them.

christ1 said

I am confused about which version of thunderbird to use.

The latest release version is at https://www.thunderbird.net/ (currently 52.7.0.

Check the Thunderbird system requirements. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/52.7.0/system-requirements/

They are part of the release notes. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/releases/

They seem to have updated to 38.5.0 and I can't find release notes anywhere

Not sure what you're up to wrt v38.5.0. About the release notes, as long as you're able to use Google it shouldn't be impossible to find them.

If one goes to thunderbird.net and clicks download, the exe says it is 38.5.0 not 52.7.0

Strangely enough, I would expect some organization so that users could find the release notes associated with each version without having to search corners of hte Internet and hoping they find the right ones.

If one goes to thunderbird.net and clicks download, the exe says it is 38.5.0 not 52.7.0

Then you're not using Win XP SP3.

Strangely enough, I would expect some organization so that users could find the release notes associated with each version without having to search corners of hte Internet and hoping they find the right ones.

At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button , then select Help > About Mozilla Thunderbird > Release Notes

Shouldn't be too hard.

The download server is offering you the last version that can run on your operating system. 38.5. That would be because you are using XP SP2 on the device you are attempting to download on. If you download on XP SP3 you will be offered 52. whatever 7 or 8. There will be an 8 soon.

The version numbering follows Firefox ESR. As a community project Thunderbird can not hope to keep up with the 6 weekly release program used on Firefox. The points follow the 6 weekly Firefox version change. As most of the security updates come from the Firefox development team, so Thunderbird updates to incorporate them as they are release.

Thunderbird itself has a major release of new features about once a year following the Firefox ESR model. We also use the version numbering used on the Firefox ESR cycle. See https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/

Because you basically chose to get off the train a decade ago your experiences are not going to be as good as others will have, simply because what have been incremental changes over a period of years you will now have to swallow in one bite.