What I see in your old topic https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1300216

Does not sound a lot like what you are saying.

times.json is a file and not a folder. I would not really expect it to open unless you have a a development studio installed as json files are datafiles used internally by javascript.

Goto the troubleshooting information on the help menu and select about:profiles. IS your old profile listed there? Does it load when you click on open in a new browser for that profile. Can you set it to default? What happens when you restart Thunderbird after that?

Hello Matt, Many thanks for your quick reply. In regard to your suggestions, I was going to send screenshots but it seems that the 'Browse' facility doesn't accept them now in Word format.

I followed your instructions: Menu > Help> More Troubleshooting Information> arriving at 'Application basics':

• Profile Folder>Open Folder (Local Drive)>> C:\Users\timot\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles - [2 folders shown] \c12uhj6i. default-release - which contains 11 folders [includes Mail & IMap Mail] and a large number of files. It informs this is the Default Profile. The second folder C:\Users\timot\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\xy33fom1. default, contains two files: parent.lock & times.json [I have no special need for these files].

• Profiles>about:Profiles> Under the heading 'Profile: default-release', it informs that the profile in use cannot be deleted and names it as being c12uhj6i.default-release. Similarly beneath that and against the heading 'Profile-Default': NO, it also states: xy33fom1 There is no other folder listed.

There are two date/times mentioned against the creation of all folders. Either 05/09/21 at 23:00 [when the W10 OS reset was commenced or the later date when the TB programme was downloaded again; this obviously includes the latest Profile.

Nevertheless, in a straight answer to your question regarding any alternative Profile reference, in the light of the above, I feel the answer is no.

In reference to the storage of the Local folders on the hard-drive, is there any way these can be located to see that they weren't lost during the OS Reset [leaving folders and files intact].

All help most welcome. Kind regards, Tim

re : There are two date/times mentioned against the creation of all folders. Either 05/09/21 at 23:00 [when the W10 OS reset was commenced

Windows OS may have created a folder called 'windows.old' and it is probably in the C: drive. Please try to locate this folder. If Windows OS created this folder then it may have a copy of your old Thunderbird profile. The 'windows.old' folder is auto created and is available for about a month after which it is auto deleted. Info at this link may help you locate it: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/retrieve-files-from-the-windows-old-folder-f668ada4-701b-204a-73c3-952bc5ceb1c8

Look for this 'windows.old' folder and see if this location is in that folder: C:\Users\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\ljv1z5d5.default-release\Mail\Local Folders

If yes: Get a copy of the 'Thunderbird' folder (as indicated above) and put it onto the desktop so you have a backup copy which you can use.

Then: Menu > Help> More Troubleshooting Information> arriving at 'Application basics':

Profile Folder>click on 'Open Folder' (Local Drive) A new window opens showing contents of the current profile folder

Exit Thunderbird now

click on 'Mail' folder

You will see the current 'Local Folders' folder which I'm assuming does not contain all your files containing emails.

Delete that 'Local Folders' folder Leave this window open ready to receive a copy of the backup 'Local Folders' folder.

Access the backup 'Thunderbird' folder on desktop click on 'Profiles' folder click on 'ljv1z5d5.default-release' folder click on 'Mail' folder You will see 'Local Folders' folder - Copy this 'Local Folders' folder

then paste that copied 'Local Folders' folder into the 'Mail' folder - (the window you left open at this location: C:\Users\timot\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\c12uhj6i. default-release\Mail ) - thus replacing the one you deleted.

Now start Thunderbird. Check the 'Local Folders' folder.

Hello Toad-Hall [again],

Many thanks for comprehensive guidance and the result is as follows:

• I studied the MS instruction and followed it accordingly C:\>Windows.old>Users>timot which offers Favourites/Links/One Drive/Searches, none of these have any TB folder; they are either empty or contain other items. Windows.old was Modified on the 6 September being the day after the OS Reset and only contains Users; which was Modified last year.

• Following route C:\Users\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles - does not give me reference \ljv1z5d5.default-release\Mail\Local Folders [only reference c12uhj6i.default-release created after the OS Reset]

Both you & MS have mentioned that missing data is usually stored for about one month following a Reset. This data being important stuff, would there be any benefit in running an OS Restore to a the date before the Reset say 4th Sept 21. Then, hopefully, if the lost link is reinstated and, with fingers crossed, I carry on as normal and make a Local Folders back-up on an external Drive.

All views are most welcome. Kind regards, Tim Simpson

Kind regards T

re :Windows.old was Modified on the 6 September being the day after the OS Reset and only contains Users; That is correct, but in 'Users', it should list your username - timot - and in your User name should be 'Appdata' which contains 'Roaming'

re: C:\>Windows.old>Users>timot which offers Favourites/Links/One Drive/Searches, none of these have any TB folder; It should list a lot more than that because it normally backup all the Appdata files. As I said, you would be looking for: Users\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\ljv1z5d5.default-release I'm assuming that name because it was the one you were using a year ago.

Open the 'windows.old' folder, so it opens in a new window at top select 'View' tab and then make sure the 'Hidden items' checkbox is selected. Just to make sure no folders are being hidden. It is possible the Appdata could be hidden, so check it out.

re: Following route C:\Users\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles - does not give me reference \ljv1z5d5.default-release\Mail\Local Folders - only reference c12uhj6i.default-release

That's because you are looking at the current profile settings on computer and not in 'windows.old' folder.

re :This data being important stuff, would there be any benefit in running an OS Restore to a the date before the Reset say 4th Sept 21. You may discover you wiped all those restore points when you reset the OS.

Hello Toad-Hall, I am able to arrive at the following point [I had previously overlooked the Hidden Folder tick-box]: C:\>Windows.old>Users>\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\ljv1z5d5.default-release - this is dated 05/09/2021 which is before the Reset. That folder contains three folders, namely, 'cache' which contains:

• two folders & two files:

  - 'doomed' of the same date but is empty
  - 'entries' which contains multiple files for box ticking [looks hopeful]
 -  'index' file
  - 'index' Text document

• The other two folders namely 'safebrowsing' & 'startupCache' are of earlier dates that don't look relevant to my snag. It is only the 'entries' folder that contains anything that can be selected. Are they what I am seeking?

In regard to my previous question regarding Restoring to an earlier date, W10 OS did let me set the Restore Date to 03/09/2021 but it didn't reveal the missing TB Local Folders. I would be grateful if you could kindly advise whether the above situation looks hopeful or otherwise. Kind regards, Tim Simpson

re :C:\>Windows.old>Users>\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\ljv1z5d5.default-release - this is dated 05/09/2021 which is before the Reset. That folder contains three folders, namely, 'cache' 'safebrowsing' & 'startupCache'

Odd because those three folders are usually only in this location: C:\>Windows.old>Users>\timot\Appdata\Local\Thunderbird\Profiles\ljv1z5d5.default-release Note: they are in the 'Local' folder - please check again for the 'Roaming' folder just in case you missed it. C:\>Windows.old>Users>\timot\Appdata\Roaming

Hello Toad-Hall, Hurrah,Hurrah!! You were right: the answer was in Roaming.

Following Matt's step-by-step guidance at the top [and with my fingers firmly crossed] at my third attempt the original Local Folders opens on my TB Home page and seems all complete. I can see now that it was me not selecting Hidden files and not checking in Roaming first that has caused the delay. Your finding these files for me has saved my neck!!! Kind regards, Tim Simpson

Now your current profile is back up to date, I suggest you create a backup of your current profile. create a folder on desktop or on external drive and call it 'TB Backup'

Exit Thunderbird and get a copy of this 'Thunderbird' folder - the one you are currently using...

• C:\Users\timot\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird\

put the copy into the 'TB Backup' folder

Hello Toad-Hall, I have quickly followed your advice above regarding creating a 'Thunderbird backup folder' which is now completed. I should have done that previously but it's one of those jobs that waits until it is too late...!

A point of casual interest related to the external drive used for the 'backup'. Due to the minimal USB sockets provided in my laptop, I use a USB connector-cable for that drive and for a couple of other items e.g. mobile phone for uploading photographs. I have been having trouble for a number of weeks with photo uploads. Last Sunday I had Reset the mobile phone,but no improvement. So I then Reset the laptop thus causing the lost TB link. Tonight the larger drive wouldn't connect but the memory stick did [surprisingly]. Therefore I am hoping that a new USB cable will cure that snag. So the TB Backup has helped me all round!!

Kind regards, Tim Simpson