Might try using windows advanced search. Search for a missing folder name... or just search inbox and then open it in explorer and you'll be very close to seeing what you need. Outlook Express would sometimes have all mail disappear because you punched the wrong button, but it was still there in a database file and windows started a fresh new database. Maybe you;ll get lucky and Tbird did the same.

Have you made any progress?

Thanks, I really depend on the excellent help I get here, it is appreciated. That said, I hope someone else using AT&T for an ISP and is happy pitches in. I am keeping for now to retain my email address, one I've used for at least 15+ years. Unfortunately, it appears AT&T is working on getting out of the ISP business (what, just wireless now?). They shut down the brand Worldnet, yet my 2.0 versions of Thunderbird address the "postoffice" and "mailhost" with "worldnet" as part of the address. But, it isn't working on my Thunderbird 3.0 version. I will try to figure something out tonight. My quick look last night at the AT&T help on the web said "pop and smtp with att.jahoo.com" was the magic. But that may be only if you use their DSL... not sure, seems strange. I have DSL form my local phone company, and it offers all the services Worldnet used to offer, I just am reluctant to change may address and lose contact with many I don't communicate with often... but AT&T is pushing me that way. I have all my personal email on Thunderbird, I use Outlook for business email. I suppose I can move the business email on to Thunderbird too (not as versatile as Outlook) but have not checked on how that is done. It appears one can't have two instances of Thunderbird on one computer. Maybe one can have one Thunderbird with multiple "accounts". I know Outlook provides for multiple accounts in one instance of Outlook, but I don't recall ever seeing anything like that in Thunderbird. Outlook is clearly the "industrial strength" email client... maybe Outlook Express has some of the same capabilities... I have never used it.

kurmudgeon- You are correct. I was reacting to the OP's inclination to want to remove files from the Windows folder that were not familiar, and overstated things. I, also, clean up my hard drive, but I draw the line at mucking around in the Windows folder. If the OP's system is running fine after updates are installed -- and never expects to have a future problem which would involve undoing an update -- then it wouldn't mess up the computer to delete them. It would just remove a capability that might be needed in the future. I think I need to quit responding to posts at 2 in the morning!