Puzzling. I regret you had this problem. However, you can create your own shortcut. - on desktop, right-click and select 'new shortcut' - on next screen, browse, and locate c:\program files\mozilla thunderbird\thunderbird.exe - once selected, click OK -on that screen, click Next. - This final screen shows what will be the name of shortcut. Change if you wish. Click Finish. - you're done. the other, non-functioning, shortcut may be deleted.

I can not get Thunderbird to open at all - not on the shortcut, not on the name in my list of sites I use, etc. I have read if I were to download Thunderbird, I will lose all my addresses etc. Is that true? As I wrote this all happened this AM when I was updating Thunderbird.

Sometimes anti-virus programs have interrupted updates. To be safe, I suggest you copy your profile (which contains all your accounts, messages and addressbook) to anywhere else on PC. The profile is at c:\users\<yourID>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles . There may be more than one profile folder; if there is copy all of them. We can sort the right one out later. Now you should be safe to do the update. Assuming the update goes okay, start TB. if It does not start with your profile, but instead asks you to create an email account, ignore that and click the 'home' tab at upper left. Then, right-click near top of panel and activate 'menu bar' . Then, click help>moretroubleshootinginformation, scroll down to Profiles and click 'about:profiles. Your profile should appear. Select it and you're done. If your profile does not appear, then we go to plan b: click the 'create profile' button on that screen and I think the next screen you enter 'next' and on next screen, enter a name, e.g., MYPROFILE and then after doing that, click the browse button to locate and select your profile where you copied it. Then you're done.

Thank you for the long directions BUT I am not computer savvy and do not understand a lot of your reply. I will have to find a friend to help me - problem with that is I had another problem one time and the so called friends did not want to help me. At this point I really do not know what I am going to do. Thanks again.

Okay, for now just follow first step: To be safe, I suggest you copy your profile (which contains all your accounts, messages and addressbook) to anywhere else on PC. The profile is at c:\users\<yourID>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles .

That prevents loss if update fails. Now, do the Thunderbird update. If there are problems. write back.

Hello David, THANK YOU so much for your replies. Even with you breaking down your instruction for a step at a tile, I am still afraid I will mess up my laptop more then it is. Called the place that provides my internet - they also work on computer/laptop issues. I will be taking it to them tomorrow.

THANK YOU again, Sandra

I'm sure they're very knowledgeable and I'm sure you'll feel more secure. They probably know Thunderbird and would not need my notes. I hope all goes quickly, as it should. All the best.