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Windows 10 reset

BB
Grafter
Posts: 86
Thanks: 6
Registered: ‎19-02-2011

Windows 10 reset

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

13 REPLIES 13
MisterW
Superuser
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: Windows 10 reset

@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.

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Townman
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Re: Windows 10 reset


@BB wrote:

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


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

 

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

MisterW
Superuser
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Re: Windows 10 reset

How much of a "reset"?

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

@Townman good point...

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Baldrick1
Moderator
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Re: Windows 10 reset

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

@BB 

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

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BB
Grafter
Posts: 86
Thanks: 6
Registered: ‎19-02-2011

Re: Windows 10 reset

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.

MisterW
Superuser
Superuser
Posts: 16,281
Thanks: 6,235
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: Windows 10 reset

@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 ?

 

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

BB
Grafter
Posts: 86
Thanks: 6
Registered: ‎19-02-2011

Re: Windows 10 reset

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.
jab1
Legend
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Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Windows 10 reset

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

John
BB
Grafter
Posts: 86
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Registered: ‎19-02-2011

Re: Windows 10 reset

Yes i have umpteen times
jab1
Legend
Posts: 19,184
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Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Windows 10 reset

And?

John
BB
Grafter
Posts: 86
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Registered: ‎19-02-2011

Re: Windows 10 reset

And nothing ?
jab1
Legend
Posts: 19,184
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Registered: ‎24-02-2012

Re: Windows 10 reset

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.

John
RobPN
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Re: Windows 10 reset


@BB wrote:
And nothing ?

@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\