To diagnose problems with Thunderbird, try one of the following:

• Restart Thunderbird with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender.
• Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX

If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.

Hi Matt, thanks for the suggestions. I tried with add-ons disabled and the problem persists. I am not inclined to try to go through the hassle of running Win 10 in safe mode. Thunderbird worked fine until it updated itself this afternoon so it has nothing to do with the OS. I have reverted back to version 60.2.1 and everything works fine. Turned off automatic updates until they fix this problem. Thanks again

I give those instructions because I am simply tired of explaining to people that they have defective anti virus programs. They come back full of stories about how only Thunderbird is affected and basically determined to prove that they don't know what the problem is, but it is in Thunderbird. You are also doing that. You probably have a product sold by one of the leading anti virus vendors (Nortons is the worst in my opinion) installed that causes the total failure of your mail program. Your solution. Use a version that is missing the latest security and stability fixes, rather than identify the real problem.

Really I wish those that think going back a version is a solution would simply apply their solution and never post in a support forum. All it does is make me shake my head and wonder why I waste my time.

Something really strange happened. I reactivated the add-ons in 60.2.1 and restarted it. Even though update setting was set to NEVER, after the restart it showed that I am again running 60.3.2 but this time the links do work. Why would it update TB anyway when I specifically set it to never update? Something is not right here but, as it works now, I'll take it for the time being.

To your last rant, it clearly WAS the version initially, since 60.2.1 ran again perfectly as usual. I have made NO changes to any other programs and have used my anti-virus for years without experiencing problems in TB or any other program for that matter. Perhaps solutions to problems are not as standard as you think. Not everything that stops working properly has something to do with anti-virus, but that clearly seems your mindset going by your first sentence. Don't mean to frustrate you but I have been in the IT business for the last 48 years and am not new to this. It is what it is and if TB works for years hand-in-hand with my anti-virus but not longer functions properly after an unwanted or requested update, that clearly makes it a TB problem. Thanks again

I give up. Enjoy your view of the world, and I will continue to try and accept yours.

Basically you have just posted three paragraphs which are in my opinion almost entirely incorrect. But I will not feed the bear further. As I said enjoy your view of the world. I will work with my truths and you can work with your alternative truths. I have no issues with Thunderbird V60.3.1 You do.

Just so you are aware that I am not alone in my disgust of anti virus products I suggest you read this. https://robert.ocallahan.org/2017/01/disable-your-antivirus-software-except.html

If you have an interest in why I feel so strongly. then read this https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com/2017/01/anti-virus-again.html

But I am done here. Nothing will be gained in further discussion.