Thunderbird Slow

[mjf]

Thunderbird has recently got slow to the point of unusable. I had v45.8.0 and tried updating to v52.0 with no result. I'm using a Hotmail address which maps onto Outlook mail and there is no problem opening the mail account on the internet. Using the Thunderbird client it sits on "opening folder INBOX" and typically times out.
This problem has been recently reported here
https://support.mozilla.org/t5/Thunderbird/IMAP-Email-Incredibly-Slow/td-p/1388663

It is claimed to be a Hotmail issue but changing to another mail provider is a problem if you have many contacts that use your hotmail address.
Also server configuration is correct according to this guideline:
https://support.mozilla.org/t5/Basics/Thunderbird-and-Hotmail/ta-p/14219

Has anyone struck this problem and better still found a solution?

 

[Tylerr]

i've been having this same problem.

i miss being able to use windows live mail...

 

[SIW2]

Sometimes have that issue.

 

[Roderunner]

I use Thunderbird Portable version 52.0 to access my Gmail using POP3 (I hate IMAP). This type of use is classed as insecure by Google so I have it set to allow its use as I don't get any really important mail. TB Portable can be slow to start but I believe its because of my PC setting / configuration.

 

[Callender]

Suggest: Run this - GeekUninstaller | GeekUninstaller - and see if it reports more than one version of Thunderbird is installed.

Backup Thunderbird Profile using this:

Hekasoft Backup & Restore - Sofpedia Download

Uninstall Thunderbird using Geek Uninstaller and let it scan for leftovers. Delete the leftovers,

Check for and manually delete (if found)

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird

Reboot.

Download a fresh copy of Thunderbird and install it. Restore your backed up profile.

​

Browse to your backup to restore it.

​

Once backup is restored launch Thunderbird to see it it is still slow.

If it is still slow try the following:

No need to sync all folders especially trash or junk:

Also it best to compact each folder in Thunderbird's left pane on a weekly basis by right clicking each folder then choosing "Compact"

Set folders to be compacted automatically too and maybe set cache to zero:

Also run this once per week or so:

SpeedyFox - Boost Firefox, Skype, Chrome, Thunderbird in a Single Click!

Note: Currently I don't use Thunderbird so the above is based on my previous use of the software.

 

[mjf]

I'm using the v52 portable. I tried the installed version and it didn't make a difference.
Sometimes after a long wait TB will go through its paces and showed no new mail when in fact there was a number of new mail messages. On other occasions I'll get a mail server timeout message.
This problem appears to be mainly associated with MS mail hotmail/outlook. Gmail appears to be ok.

As a mail client is an unreliable dog and to think I made a donation!

Any better mail clients out there?

 

[Callender]

Are you using IMAP configuration with Hotmail? It should work better than POP3.

As for other email clients - can't recommend one. I've tried most and am currently using EmClient v6 (old non chrome version)

 

[mjf]

I've been running with the IMAP setting as long as I can remember.
Outlook Mail has a forwarding option. I could try forwarding to my gmail account and see if Thunderbird works more reliably with gmail but this is pretty clunky.
I'm quite reliant on email using my hotmail address and may need to ditch a mail client and the features it should offer.

 

[Callender]

Check to see if the portable version stores it's profile here:

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

or

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird

If it does - cut and paste those folders to flash drive so you have a backup then unplug it.

Try running a fresh copy of Thunderbird Portable.

I think that if you installed Thunderbird it would still write data to a shared profile. So try a clean fresh profile and see if it's any better.

Or else try creating a new test profile and see if it works okay:

Using Multiple Profiles - Mozilla Support Community

Restoring and backing up profiles manually:

Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages ... - Mozilla Support Community

 

[Roderunner]

This problem appears to be mainly associated with MS mail hotmail/outlook. Gmail appears to be ok.

Try this link for an answer Microsoft Community

 

[kristen theron]

I face the same issue sometimes. So i think it's most common issue with thunderbird.

 

[Roderunner]

Check to see if the portable version stores it's profile here:

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

or

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Thunderbird

If it does - cut and paste those folders to flash drive so you have a backup then unplug it.

Try running a fresh copy of Thunderbird Portable.

I think that if you installed Thunderbird it would still write data to a shared profile. So try a clean fresh profile and see if it's any better.

Or else try creating a new test profile and see if it works okay:

Using Multiple Profiles - Mozilla Support Community

Restoring and backing up profiles manually:

Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages ... - Mozilla Support Community

I have the TB Portable files on D: drive on both computers.

 

[Callender]

Where are the profile(s) ?

Try searching all drives for folders with partial name .default

​

 

[Roderunner]

They are:-
-

 

[Callender]

Okay I think those are from the installed version of Thunderbird.

See here for Thunderbird Portable profiles:

Mozilla Thunderbird, Portable Edition Support | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

Also note the warning under "Improving Thunderbird Portable's Performance"

 

[Roderunner]

I have read the Help.html files in TB & FF folders.

 

[mjf]

There was a minor update from 53 to 53.0.1 52 to 52.0.1(portable). It is more responsive at the moment but it used to be responsive in the past. I'm tending to rely more on direct internet access to Outlook Mail after these client issues.

 

[Roderunner]

Mine is at:-

 

[mjf]

My error - post corrected. 53.0 is firefox

 

[FerchogtX]

I have this exact problem... Outlook.com/Hotmail accounts have this nasty lag when you want to retrive emails... this happens with other mail clients as well... except... guess who? Outlook (Office suite) and the Windows 10 Mail app...

I don't know if it will worth to setup the account using pop3 instead and see if the lag is gone... has anyone tried? IMAP is better because syncronizes your web folders... I ignore if this is a move to either push you into the web app, or the native Win10 client... as this only happens with third party email clients.