Thunderbird often asks to download a fresh copy


asturias7

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Hello folks,
for those of you who use Thunderbird email client, I have a concern that has been bugging me for the past couple of updates.

Every once in a while, either when I open Thunderbird or reading my emails, a popup appears which says something like, “Update failed, install a fresh copy of Thunderbird”. This happens even though I have the latest update. I also went as far as uninstalling Thunderbird, making sure everything was cleared out/deleted, and I mean everything (!), and reinstalling the latest version.
Is there any way to make this popup no longer appear?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro (Beta Build 22635.3350)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware
Hello folks,
for those of you who use Thunderbird email client, I have a concern that has been bugging me for the past couple of updates.

Every once in a while, either when I open Thunderbird or reading my emails, a popup appears which says something like, “Update failed, install a fresh copy of Thunderbird”. This happens even though I have the latest update. I also went as far as uninstalling Thunderbird, making sure everything was cleared out/deleted, and I mean everything (!), and reinstalling the latest version.
Is there any way to make this popup no longer appear?
Not ever had that happen here.

Uncheck Automatically Install updates, under Preferences > Update

Should stop it trying to update.
 

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    Windows 11 22H2 OS Build 22623.1095
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
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    Asus PRIME B350-PLUS
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    Cooler Master 690 III
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    Logitech K270 - wireless
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    Logitech - M185 wireless
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    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 22621.900
    Computer type
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3881 - modified with SFX PSU fitted internally
    CPU
    Intel i5 - 10400
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    Dell 032w55 version A00
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    16GB of HyperX Fury @ 2133 Mhz
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    Builtin
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    ACER KA241
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    1920x 1080 @60Hz
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    256GB SK hynix NVMe
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    Modular 450 Watt Corsair SF450 Platinum ( Mod to replace the Dell 265 Watt PSU)
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    Inspiron Small Desktop
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    Dell stock cooler
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    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
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    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
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    500w
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    Logitech wired
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    Logitech wireless
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    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
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    Defender+MWB Premium
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    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
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    i7-4770
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    24 gb
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    Benq 27
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    500w
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    Dell factory
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    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Not ever had that happen here.

Uncheck Automatically Install updates, under Preferences > Update

Should stop it trying to update.

I tried this first suggestion a while back, doesn't work.
Re the suggestion from MozillaZine, that is for Firefox. But, it also doesn't work for Thunderbird since the "active-update.xml", "updates.xml", and the "updates" folder are nowhere to be found in the newer versions of TB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro (Beta Build 22635.3350)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware
I tried this first suggestion a while back, doesn't work.
Re the suggestion from MozillaZine, that is for Firefox. But, it also doesn't work for Thunderbird since the "active-update.xml", "updates.xml", and the "updates" folder are nowhere to be found in the newer versions of TB.
They are in the users folder.

In my case here:
C:\Users\myusername\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\updates\8216C80C92C4E828\updates.xml
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 OS Build 22623.1095
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME B350-PLUS
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 @3000Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS - GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB TUF GAMING OC
    Sound Card
    On Board Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    240GB PNY CS900 SSD - OS
    2 x 1TB Crucial MX500 SSD
    1 x 500GB Crucial MX300 SSD
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001-1ER164
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2FR102
    PSU
    750 Watt Corsair TX750 Plus
    Case
    Cooler Master 690 III
    Cooling
    Akasa AK98 5 Case Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 - wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech - M185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 22621.900
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3881 - modified with SFX PSU fitted internally
    CPU
    Intel i5 - 10400
    Motherboard
    Dell 032w55 version A00
    Memory
    16GB of HyperX Fury @ 2133 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 6GB GTX 1060.
    Sound Card
    Builtin
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK hynix NVMe
    1TB Western Digital WD10EZEX-75WN4A1
    PSU
    Modular 450 Watt Corsair SF450 Platinum ( Mod to replace the Dell 265 Watt PSU)
    Case
    Inspiron Small Desktop
    Cooling
    Dell stock cooler
    Mouse
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
You state "This happens even though I have the latest update" but what version of TB are you running? I have v102.3.0 which is very new so are you still on the previous versions? If you are then try installing the latest version from the website ( Thunderbird — Make Email Easier. ) instead of using the Help/About Thunderbird method to update.

Another thought - Have you tried 'repairing' the Inbox folder? Right-click on 'Inbox' then 'Properties' and the 'repair' button should be available to click on. You can do this for each sub-folder as well to ensure there is no corruption.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP EliteDesk 705 G5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE
    Memory
    8GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated AMD Radeon Vega 11
    Hard Drives
    256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Inspiron 15-3576
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8250U
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 - 2400 SODIMM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK Hynix SC311 SATA SSD
You state "This happens even though I have the latest update" but what version of TB are you running? I have v102.3.0 which is very new so are you still on the previous versions? If you are then try installing the latest version from the website ( Thunderbird — Make Email Easier. ) instead of using the Help/About Thunderbird method to update.

Another thought - Have you tried 'repairing' the Inbox folder? Right-click on 'Inbox' then 'Properties' and the 'repair' button should be available to click on. You can do this for each sub-folder as well to ensure there is no corruption.

When I mean I have the latest update, I mean I have the latest update... the same as yours: 102.3.0.
I will try what you suggested.
Btw clam1952, I don't have any updates folders anywhere, checked in every possible place.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro (Beta Build 22635.3350)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware
When I mean I have the latest update, I mean I have the latest update... the same as yours: 102.0.3
I will try what you suggested.
Btw clam1952, I don't have any updates folders anywhere, checked in every possible place.

*Update: Make that version 102.1.0. The previous version was 102.0.3, which is the one you have wiganken.
I'm hoping I no longer encounter this issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro (Beta Build 22635.3350)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware

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