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Clear Thunderbird data

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • 7 scripts
  • 1 categories
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open-source cross-platform email client, personal information manager, news client, RSS and chat client developed by the Mozilla Foundation 1.

See also: Thunderbird Homepage | thunderbird.net.

Read about the files and folders in the profile folder in depth: Files and folders in the profile - Thunderbird | kb.mozillazine.org.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system backup before doing any changes.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy (Military-Grade)​

  • Military-grade privacy protection
  • Major system impact
  • Consider having system backup.

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Help

How to apply "Clear Thunderbird data" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply "Clear Thunderbird data" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Clear Thunderbird data
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 7 Privacy settings
  • 1 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 1 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 1 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Clear Thunderbird address book data

Most users open the Thunderbird address book from within the email client, but it can also be launched separately. Mozilla Thunderbird by default comes with two address books, even though more can be added: 1. Personal book: For the most frequently used contacts. 2. Collected book: Collects addresses from email that you send.

Clear Thunderbird cookies

Thunderbird stores cookie information in: "cookies.sqlite": Stores all cookies. • "cookies.sqlite-journal": The journal file for "cookies.sqlite". • "cookies.sqlite-shm", "cookies.sqlite-wal": Write-ahead log files for "cookies.sqlite". The file "cookies.sqlite" in the user's profile directory is used to store cookies between sessions.

Clear Thunderbird passwords

"logins.json" stores encrypted passwords. It replaces "signons.sqlite", which had replaced "signons.txt". "logins-backup.json" is stored to recreate "logins.json".

Clear Thunderbird download history

Download history is saved in "downloads.sqlite" since Thunderbird 3 and in "downloads.rdf" before. It stores data to show downloads in Download Manager. Clearing download history can help to resolve slow downloads or program hangs.

Clear clicked links history in Thunderbird

Thunderbird saves annotations, bookmarks, favorite icons, input history, keywords, and browsing history (a list of pages visited). Data is saved at persistent "places.sqlite" and temporary "places.sqlite-shm" and "places.sqlite.wal".

Similar Guides​

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Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

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These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Scripts in this category clear data for third-party applications installed on the operating system. Third-party applications are not typically distributed as part ...
Visit category page

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About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process