1. What is the current version of TB?

Answer: 78.10.2 See: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

2. The last time I updated, to 78.4.0, I had all sorts of problems, missing add-ons, etc.. Will the latest version cause similar problems?

Answer: You do not mention the addons you are using in version 68.12.1, so do not know. Addons and whether they get updated etc is nothing to do with Thunderbird in the sense that they are the responsibilty of the author of the addon. You would need to check out whether the addon(s) you currently use have been updated to work on the latest release. You may find you would need to reinstall the addon if it did not get auto updated.

Since version 68 started, thunderbird now uses a dedicated profile per installation. This means if you want to use a profile on an older version then there are a few hoops you would need to jump through in order to allow the downgrade. I would create a backup prior to any update, so it is easier to go back to an earlier version by using the backed up version.

You would need to ensure both computers were using the same version of Thunderbird. You would also need to ensure Thunderbird was not running on either computer whilst copying over data.

The folder you would be backing up would be: C://Users/user name/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird folder.

So assuming you are using the default location as mentioned above: On computer A, exit Thunderbird, access the 'Roaming' folder and copy the 'Thunderbird' folder. On computer B, exit Thunderbird, Access 'Roaming' folder, delete the Thunderbird folder (OR move to backup on external hardrive) then paste the copied 'Thunderbird' folder into the 'Roaming' folder.

Thank you. I will try your suggestions and post again. In the meantime, is there any compelling reason why I should change my present 68.12.1, which works just fine for my purposes, nothing fancy?

There has been 27 updates since version 68.12.1 As with any major update, it is inevitable there will be the usual bunch of bugs and niggles and suggestions to fix and improve, hence the number of required updates.

The main changes were: General UI visual changes eg:new Folder icons, new Options/Preferences layout, new Dark and Light themes. Removal of ability to customise the buttons in the header area, although there is a new addon that can help. The address books had the format of file changed from MAB to SQLITE, which will also see another improvement modification in upcoming major updates. New layout for the 'Write' window and there are some additional improvements in the pipeline and expected very soon, which will make it easier for those who want to auto enable eg: Cc As of version 78.0, Thunderbird only supports MailExtensions which effects addons that have not been updated for compatibility.

Several bug fixes and security fixes which are mentioned in the various release notes:

• https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/releases/

This link will take you a page where you can select various versions to see what security fixes were undertaken. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/known-vulnerabilities/thunderbird/

some helpful Articles:

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-78-faq
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/new-thunderbird-78
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/addressing-email

So there is a whole new look and feel to version 78*.

The next major release expected later this year will be version 91, so if you want an insight into what is still to come then take a read of this:

• https://developer.thunderbird.net/planning/roadmap

Personally, I would say the longer you leave it to update and get used to the new layout etc, you will become out of touch and updating later may require more incremental stages to get up to date and you will be using a product that has known vulnerbilities.

I would (I actually did this - just in case) exit Thunderbird create a backup of the C://Users/user name/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird folder as mentioned previously. Put it in a folder named 'TB Backup 68.12.1' so you have a fully usable version that will work in version 68.12.1

Then go for the update. But at the end of the day, it is really up to you.

Thank you. It will take me a while to work through all of your suggestions.