frustrating internal changes and modifications with every update

Bree said:

A long time ago I wanted to set MAILTO to use a webmail account in Firefox, but at that time Firefox didn't register itself as being capable of handling the MAILTO protocol (even though it was). This was how I registered it for MAILTO, which then added it to the list of choices when choosing an app.

Setting up new Laptop with Win 10 and having problems with PROGRAM

Problem here with the links to "how to" solutions is again what is the subject title here: "frustrating internal changes and modifications with every update"

With every update many locations configurations are being silently changed therefore any help preferences on the web are greatly invalidated or are, what the other trend is, antiquated some 7, 10 or even 15 years old.

Sadly, the same applies to the here at 10 forum well done tutorial section. Unless frequently updated and with version updates annotated, it too gradually becomes invalidated through all these endless modifications and updates with every update.

No complaint, just a factual observation I have stumbled over increasingly so many times over:
So is for example the aforementioned "Register mailto protocol to custom program on Windows 10" like so many others an over a 7 year old article!

Now look how many "updates" and subsequent silent modifications, altercations, relocations, reconfigurations, demotions, depreciations and unsolicited modifications have been done in seven years!
Thus rendering the above-referenced article, like so sheer infinitely many others, invalid and useless. Nevermind all the fake and phony Windows repair guides out there, ending up usually slyly embedded selling you their product. Or the ultimate "we don't have no effing clue but want to pee on the fire hydrant too" territorial markings "advice & solutions" ending typically at the seventh step with advising to reinstalling Windows....

Okay enough [factual] ranting!
It is just that I have to solve the (a newly created) problem* for my client and once again I am on a double uphill battle. One being that the amount of time spent for remediation and resolve becomes unbillable...


*my favorite quote I created: "Problems per se don't just exist, problems are created!"

dalchina said:

Thunderbird has just quite quite an extensive overhaul.

It's not a Store app, as I guess you know. So I don't understand why you think it's not available as a downloadable program.

Nor is my experience that MS, Windows, Satya Nadella or his minions have removed any of my programs.

The only time I can think of when that can a happen is when upgrading e.g. from Win 7-10 and an incompatible program may be removed.

When you say Tbird is gone, do you mean you can't even launch it or find its installation folder?

First of all I explained in my previous post why my client is using Thunderbird and an older version thereof. I'm somewhat similar.

In Windows settings it always worked and was available in the default app selection until the recent last or second last Windoz "update".

I know it is available as a downloadable app, Mozilla style the gazillionth update iteration (all every time with guaranteed incompatibilities, CSS breaks and working add-on incompatibilities)
However, it no longer appears as a choice in settings of the OS under default apps "email".

Locally Thunderbird is of course still there and working, just like my clients as well. The only change was that suddenly when on any give i.e. website a mailto link is there, Thunderbird doesn't start anymore and instead whatever you are allowed to choose from default apps and of course the red brick wall, the coming of "Mao's Little red book" the Microsoft store.

I just checked "choose default apps by protocol" and it seems now unlike before, that options are either Microsoft apps or the Microsoft store... What a generous choice...
There used to be the "choose another app" option, that of course Stalin has also eliminated.
You know what's coming soon in a future "update". Only monthly "rented" apps will be available or the store. Want to bet?
I'm sorry to say but this company operates like an authoritarian drug dealer. First gives you drugs for free until you're addicted and then slowly starts to charge you but gives you inferior or diluted stuff. Nevermind all the data mining through the store.

I know, I know, people don't want to hear "negativity" or variances of critical thinking. They rather prefer to get slowly lulled into it all and wonder one day how come they live under a dictatorship.

This choice of email app under settings was an issue, I remember a few years ago were, perhaps even on this forum. There was an outcry that Thunderbird had disappeared under the default app choices. After some petitioning with Microsoft they graciously and so kindly "re-enabled" it.

Now we are again back to square one all in the name of obsessive "security".

This constant changing, reorganizing, altering and disabling is getting more and more annoying. It is a form of destabilizing in creating increasingly forms of insecurity which then are offered to cured with more "security" for your "protection".
Since when does a corporation care about my security and protection? Maybe I should ask Orwell.
All this which nobody asked for, nobody needed. The excuse is always in the name of "security".

Sarcastically if not cynically:
Imagine if automobile manufacturers would come out with the next year's model where the break pedal is on the a right side, the clutch in the middle and accelerated on the left, the stick shift is strategically placed behind the driver seat as this is more safe for the transmission and driver. The car will only start after you have confirmed via voice recognition every time that you really want to start the car. Of course most of the time the voice recognition does not recognize your voice. At the third attempt you're indefinitely locked out and have to call the manufacturer for the reset.... thank you for calling XYZ. All our lines are busy due to unusual call volume. Press #1 for blah blah, #2 for La la and #3…

The follow-up model you will be only able "as per enthusiastic consumer request and demand" to drive only on manufacturer approved safe roads with manufacturer approved safe tires...

You see where I'm going with this.
And that's the Trend with this OS (I do have some from insider classified leaked info.)
You'd be shocked what goes on in the boardroom of this company and what their strategies are.

Callender said:

So i just installed Thunderbird.

Suggest: Download the installer for the same version of thunderbird that you already have and run the setup file performing an "over the top" install.

Thanks for the info!
Guess I will try it out as I have the original installer.
I just don't want it to override/reset any of the in-app configurations.

Callender said:

You can backup profile first.

Download Hekasoft Backup & Restore - MajorGeeks

Get portable version and make a Thunderbird profile backup.

Thanks for the referral! Will check it out.