re:When I open Thunderbird, defaults to requesting g-mail pw ‘Sign in to continue to Thunderbird email’

This sounds like the process used when you use an imap gmail account to connect using AOuth2. Gmail are checking you really are you. Then an AOuth2 password is saved in thunderbird and it is used instead of password to auto connect.

Are your passwords being saved? You would need to select the checkbox for password manager to remember the passwords.

Once you get gmail access, check to see what is stored here:

• 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > Security' > 'Passwords' tab
• click on 'Saved Passwords'
• click on 'Show Passwords'

Do you use a product like CCleaner or any other similar product that can clean up files? If yes, then it may be deleting the password files. It is recommended that you do not let CCleaner or similar program have any access to any Thunderbird folder or file as they can cause havoc when they delete session, password etc files.

Had already tried these things many timers including checking and confirming saved passwords but with no result. I have used CC Cleaner and if this was the cause how do I 'undo' its impact? Thanks

CCLeaner: https://www.ccleaner.com/docs/ccleaner/using-ccleaner/excluding-files-folders-and-registry-entries

Exclude the 'MozillaThunderbird' program folder and the 'Thunderbird' profile folder.

by default in Windows OS they are usually here: In win 32 bit: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\

In win 64 bit C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\

Profile: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\

Found Moz TB files but not sure about how to exclude them Would appreciate a step by step guide in using CC Cleaner to exclude these files Many thanks

I do not use CCLeaner, so I would be using the information at the link I gave you. This forum is not specialised in other products. But it sounds straight forwardward. To exclude files or folders from the Cleaner process:

• In CCleaner, click the 'Options' icon at left.
• Click the 'Exclude' button.
• Click 'Add'.
• To choose a drive or folder to exclude, select 'Drive or Folder',
• click 'Browse'
• locate and click the the profile 'Thunderbird' folder.
• Finally click on OK to create the exclusion.

Many thanks. TB profile now excluded but problem remains. Any other suggestions? Perhaps I should remove CC Cleaner altogether. Do you rerccomend any other similar software to replace it?