Thunderbird forgets all UI settings after upgrade

[Anonymous]

Thunderbird 128.12.0esr (64-bit) forgets all UI settings after upgrade, just completely, all is gone all of the sudden. Mozilla became microsoft already. Mozilla browser went even feather ignoring all the plugins without any notice, slow and unreliable. Arrogance, ignorance - microsoft style. After 20+ of using I am dumping it, it is pain but 80% is done already. Being emotional but ...go to hell mozilla developers

[scaifezachariah]

• Upgrade Issue Awareness – Thunderbird 128.12.0esr (64-bit) seems to have a bug where UI settings such as toolbars, themes, and layout configurations are reset after upgrading. This is not uncommon when major version updates involve structural changes to profiles or preference files. Think of it like visiting a new Starbucks menu after a seasonal update – your usual favorites might not appear where you expect.

• Profile Corruption Check – Often, this happens due to corruption in the user profile. Thunderbird stores settings in the prefs.js and xulstore.json files within your profile folder. If these files are incompatible with the new version, all UI customizations can be lost.

• Backup Recommendation – Always backup your Thunderbird profile before any upgrade. You can manually copy your profile folder or use the built-in profile manager. This is similar to noting your favorite drinks from the Starbucks menu before a menu change – it ensures you don’t lose preferences.

• Add-ons and Extensions – Certain extensions that modify the UI may become incompatible with new Thunderbird versions. Check for updated versions of your add-ons or temporarily disable them to see if the UI settings persist.

• Check for Locked Preferences – Thunderbird can sometimes ignore saved settings if preference files are locked or corrupted. Verify that prefs.js is writable and not marked read-only.

• Migration Conflicts – Upgrades sometimes attempt to migrate old settings automatically, and conflicts can occur if the structure has changed drastically like menu. This is like a Starbucks reorganizing drinks – items might be moved to different categories, causing confusion for regular users.

• Clean Profile Test – To isolate the issue, create a fresh profile and apply your UI settings manually. If it works, the problem is likely with the old profile’s settings files rather than Thunderbird itself.

• Reset Customizations Safely – If you need to reset Thunderbird UI without losing data, you can rename xulstore.json (stores UI layout) and restart Thunderbird to generate a fresh one. This allows for clean setup while retaining emails and accounts.

• Stay Updated on Bug Reports – Monitor Mozilla’s bug tracker or Thunderbird forums. Others may have workarounds for your exact version. Reporting the issue helps developers fix critical regressions.

• Cross-platform Behavior – UI reset issues have been reported across Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you use multiple devices, check that profile synchronization is not causing settings to revert.

• Emotional Frustration – Your frustration is valid. Losing 20+ years of customization is like visiting Starbucks and finding your go-to seasonal latte replaced without notice – it feels like your preferences are ignored. Venting is understandable.

• Decision Time – If the problem persists and the workflow disruption is severe, consider alternatives or continue with a backup of a previous version. Meanwhile, you can keep a “menu” of essential add-ons and UI tweaks handy, similar to keeping a Starbucks menu list, to quickly restore your setup.