I understand you do not mean the program itself is disappearing. You can always check it is installed because it will be in one of the following locations:

• C: Program Files/Mozilla Thunderbird/thunderbird.exe
• C: Program Files (x86)/Mozilla Thunderbird/thunderbird.exe

I believe you mean you are losing the Thunderbird 'shortcut' icons. Yes, performing a fresh download will overwrite whatever is installed and create a new shortcut. But you can easily get them back without reinstalling by accessing the above location, right click on the 'thunderbird.exe' file - and select to create a shortcut - it will say it cannot have shortcut in that location and wil probably suggest the desktop, so ok.

Why do my shortcuts keep disappearing in Windows 10? If you go onto the internet you will find it's a common query and not just Thunderbird. It's possible that your desktop icon visibility settings were toggled off, which caused them to disappear. This can be human error or caused by an application you recently used or installed.

It's also possible you had selected Tablet mode.

Basically, this is likely to be a problem caused by Windows.

• https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/missing-desktop-shortcuts/32fb34ad-9ec0-455c-bfe6-ac99f1ce483e
• https://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-desktop-shortcuts-go-missing-in-windows-7
• https://superuser.com/questions/1762677/why-has-windows-defender-started-removing-shortcuts-on-13-january-2023

Hello, Thanks for your reply.

The situation is that the program folder itself is disappearing, not just the link. I have checked our Win 11 PC which is also having this issue and the entire program folder is missing, there are no Mozilla or Thunderbird sub-folders in the program Files Folder...

I do have Mozilla maintenance service running, Firefox is running fine.

It's very odd, it's happening on two PC's and only with the Thunderbird files.

I'm at a loss what do do, I really want to keep Thunderbird running.

re :The situation is that the program folder itself is disappearing, not just the link. I have checked our Win 11 PC which is also having this issue and the entire program folder is missing, there are no Mozilla or Thunderbird sub-folders in the program Files Folder...

Thanks for confirming the problem. I'm wondering if Thunderbird is not installing into the default location.

Please check the following: When you install Thunderbird and you know it's running. Where is it installed at that point in time? Is it in any of the following?

• C: Program Files/Mozilla Thunderbird
• C: Program Files (x86)/Mozilla Thunderbird

Where is it installed if not either of the above?

Note: The Thunderbird 'updater.exe' file is in the same folder as the 'thunderbird.exe' file.

Usually, Windows OS only uninstalls non microsoft programs when it has done a major update eg: update from Windows 10 to Windows 11

This is a link to the official website where to get a download of Thunderbird program. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

After installation - assuming you are installing it into the default location Access Firewall and set up the thunderbird.exe and the updater.exe as allowed programs.

Not sure what Anti-Virus or Cleanup software you have got installed but it may be worth making an exclusion to stop it scanning the installed program and the profile folder.

I did locate info at the following links which may be useful: https://www.ubackup.com/data-recovery-disk/exe-file-automatically-deleted-in-windows-10-0616.html https://www.thewindowsclub.com/exe-files-getting-deleted-randomly-in-windows

Thanks for your help.

I had to reload again this morning, so I have had the opportunity to check these things.

I have looked under the Program files folders, and there are no folders for Thunderbird in program files (both versions). Once I have installed again, the folder is correctly present under Program Files, and contains both the main program and the updater.exe.

Our anti-virus is Avast, and I have now added both the main .exe and updater on to the 'allowed' list, so I will monitor it over the next couple of days and see if that resolves it.

I'm thinking, though, could there be a software conflict? Our IT guys have installed Connectwise monitoring software, and I'm wondering is it's this software that is causing an issue. This has been installed on both our Pc's and they are both having this deletion issue. With one running WIN 10, and one WIN 11, I can't imagine this would be an OS problem...

re :Once I have installed again, the folder is correctly present under Program Files, and contains both the main program and the updater.exe.

It's good to know it is being installed in the correct location.

re:Our IT guys have installed Connectwise monitoring software, and I'm wondering is it's this software that is causing an issue.

Sounds like the company have decided to monitor it's employees. Remember to clear the browser history each day :) Apparently, ConnectWise Control allows control and access of an unattended computer or server. Anyone, from technicians to company employees, can simplify connections with remote access. It's also possible to use the backstage feature of ConnectWise Control using a powershell script to uninstall programs. Meaning they can uninstall programs remotely.

It would certainly be worth having a chat with the IT guys because if they do not know why a legit program is getting uninstalled then they have a bigger problem.

Thanks for all you help. Looks like I will have to escalate this to IT.

The program was there when I switched the PC on this morning, but five minutes later has disappeared, so somethings deleting it...

I will close off this thread as this isn't a Thunderbird issue.

When you have determined what cause is, please post here with the details. It may be helpful for future readers.