Remove Anti Spam Toolbar in Thunderbird
Hi - this has been asked before but nobody has posted a working solution. I'm using Thunderbird 102.3.1. I have disabled the Bitdefender anti spam toolbar in settings, but the toolbar returns when I restart. Please help! It's a big, annoying toolbar and I don't need it. Thanks.
Comments
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Generate bitdefender support tool logs ( )
Generate bitdefender connectivity logs ( )
Share the logs & your query with bitdefender support team by dropping them an email at bitsy@bitdefender.com
The support team will reply back to your query within next 24-48 hours excluding weekends.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Thanks! I actually did contact support and sent them the logs. They told me to use the uninstall tool and it failed and told me to contact support for help removing the rest of the program. Live chat has no agents available and the phone number doesn't work for me, so I have emailed and am waiting for a reply.
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Kindly perform below steps & see if this helps you in anyway.
1) Uninstall the bitdefender product with add/ remove programs option in windows
2) To remove the remaining files download and run Bitdefender product uninstaller (https://www.bitdefender.com/files/KnowledgeBase/file/Bitdefender_2022_Uninstall_Tool.exe)
3) Restart PC in safe mode (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234)
4) As soon as desktop opens, assuming your windows drive is C, open below things in run (windows icon + R) command one by one :
C:\Program Files (delete any folder with name bitdefender)
C:\Program Files (x86) (delete any folder with name bitdefender)
C:\ProgramData (delete any folder with name bitdefender)
C:\Users\{your pc name}\AppData\Local (delete any folder with name bitdefender)
5) Open run command again and run below command one by one :
temp ,delete all the files in the folder
%temp% ,delete all the files in folder
prefetch ,delete all the files in folder
6) Open registry editor through run command (windows icon + R) and then type regedit. Once registry editor opens, click on edit -> find, make sure to tick mark match whole strings only. Type bitdefender in search box and click find next. If any file or folder under name of bitdefender is found, delete it. Continue searching the registry and deleting until the search will report no registry keys found.
7) Restart your PC in general mode by unticking the option that you selected to run the system in safe mode and then click apply.
8) Remove devices from online bitdefender central (https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2795/)
9) Download online installer for your respective bitdefender product from below stated links
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: https://download.bitdefender.com/windows/installer/en-us/bitdefender_antivirus.exe
Bitdefender Internet Security: https://download.bitdefender.com/windows/installer/en-us/bitdefender_isecurity.exe
Bitdefender Total Security: https://download.bitdefender.com/windows/installer/en-us/bitdefender_tsecurity.exe
Once your respective bitdefender product is installed, a bitdefender dialogue box will open where you will need to login with your registered bitdefender online central details and after a successful login, your product will be synchronized with your online bitdefender central account. Henceforth, your product will get registered & activated with online bitdefender central automatically.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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This doesn't work. Bitdefender support told me it's a known issue with no fix, and they are working on it. If it's not fixed by the time it's time to renew, I will look for another anti-virus solution.
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Then in that case you will have to keep in touch with the support on the ticket.
Additionally, @Alexandru_BD or @Mike_BD can check on the status of the issue from the developers.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Hi,
Unfortunately, I don't have any news here. The remediation process is in its debugging stage.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Having the same problem, how do I watch (follow) for a solution notification?
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For me the "stubborn" toolbar in Thunderbird is also a very annoying problem, it keeps coming back no matter what I do, I hope that a fix will be in place soon. The re-installation of Bitdefender described in the thread above did not make any difference. It is an embarrassment when users are apparently not supposed to decide which parts of a software they're willing to use
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This is a very serious privacy issue and must to be escalated to management.
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Not sure why this is so complicated for BitDefender to resolve, here is how you fix this privacy issue in Thunderbird if you have DISABLED anti-spam in your configuration.
- Close Thunderbird
- Open file explorer and navigate to: %APPDATA%/Thunderbird/Profiles/<your profile>/extensions/
- Delete the "bdThunderbirdxx@bitdefender.com.xpi
- Open Thunderbird, the extension is no longer present.
I encourage you to check for the extension periodically, they have been known to put them back in without the users knowledge during an upgrade/update.
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See my last post, I restarted Thunderbird a second time and the Anti-Spam toolbar is back. This is getting even more concerning.
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Hi @tihabil,
Thank you for sharing this workaround with the community, it is much appreciated!
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Thanks @tihabil for that.
I see that there is also a folder in Program Files\Bitdefender Security for the bdthunderbird78 xpi, which, is of course undeletable.
Quite frankly, the clutter from Bit Defender Total Security is a disincentive to me, to buy it again. When I turn OFF the email Antispam option, nothing from Bitdefender should then affect the Thunderbird email client. As a note, when I have tried turning this BD feature on, it does nothing at all, least of all worthwhile.
Long before I started using (and paying for) Bitdefender I had the Premium version of Malwarebytes. I am frankly tired of having to uninstall BD to do any major updates on this machine e.g. BIOS, which it may cause to break, and then being forced to uninstall Malwarebytes before putting BD back.
This Tbird/BD toolbar isn't consistent, either. We have another laptop machine running TB with the current BD TS, and, looking at it, I see that the BD toolbar is enabled in TB, but doesn't appear. Why?
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Just moved to Bitdefender and running on a trial. I have purchased a licence but think I can get that refunded.
The Thunderbird toolbar is very annoying, particularly as the anti-spam function only works on POP3 accounts and we run on IMAP.
I followed @tihabil instructions on my computer and it seems to have worked.
I repeated the procedure on my wife's computer but BD created a file with the same name as the dummy text file in the profile/extensions folder. I have hidden the toolbar using the TB toolbar customisation and that seems to have worked but I really would like to get rid of the extension.
Both machines running:
Windows 11 Home v. 22H2 build 22621.1413
TB 102.9.0
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how do I watch (follow) for a solution notification?
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@tempsdropz you can bookmark this thread to receive updates on the topic.
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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I see that there is also a folder in Program Files\Bitdefender Security for the bdthunderbird78 xpi, which, is of course undeletable.
edit: spam links removed.
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From support on May 5, "...the situation is caused by an issue that has already been acknowledged by our development team. We are currently working on a fix that will be done by means of an automatic update and won't require any additional action on your end."
From support on May 16, "We do not have an estimated time for the release of the fix yet, but we will contact you as soon as it's implemented by an automatic update of Bitdefender. Please keep in mind that all reported bugs require investigation time. Since product updates are usually released once a month it may take at least 1 month until a fix is implemented in the product - this does not include the debugging period."
From what I can see in this thread the issue appears to have been in play for at a minimum six months. The lack of a development timeline suggests that this is not a priority.
As a paying customer this is unacceptable. I will not be kludging files and NTFS permissions to get rid of a product feature that is poorly implemented, poorly supported, and invasive, and that I do not need. My spam filtering is all handled server-side and it really works quite well.
There appear to be plenty of alternatives on the AV Comparatives list. When my subscription anniversary arrives I will be switching to something else.
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Hi Everybody,
It's rediculous this problem still has not been solved professionally by Bitdefender themselves.
I had this problem lastt year on a computer with Windows 11 en Thunderbird. I used tihabil's solution and it worked.
Yesterday (!! a year later) I updated my Bitdefender on my other (W10) computer and what do you think happened? In TB that stupid bar turns up again. Even though I switched off the extention IN Bitdefender itself AND within TB beforehand. Of course again tihabil's solution worked again, but it's been 3 or 4 years that this problem first turned up in this forum.
I'm an IT person and brought like 150 people to use Bitdefender becaus on the whole I think it a good antivirus program (and I'm not even a Bitdefender sales partner). A lot of which I helped get rid of that stupid bar lately when they didn't want it either as it is pretty intrusive. Thanks to an ordinary user (thanks tahibil!!) and no thanks to Bitdefender.
In the future I might advise my customers get a different Antivirus programm after their subscriptions ends. Because I DO take my customers seriously.
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Hi,
Sorry, I said "it's been 3 or 4 years that this problem first turned up in this forum""
Of course I meant a year.
But still .....
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@Tourmalin, this has been in play for a full year? Seriously?
Here's what this suggests to me.
The company is perfectly willing to let paying customers debug incompetent developers' half-baked shiny objects. Which leads to the question, what ELSE is busted under the hood that I can't actually see?
I bought this at Newegg. I will be posting an appropriate review. I also bought it on the strength of a review in PC Magazine. I will be writing to the author.
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Hi All,
Although the Bitdefender Antispam Toolbar cannot be uninstalled or permanently disabled from the Thunderbird Add-ons module, it seems there is an easy fix. It worked on my Windows 10 system with latest Thunderbird.
Simply click to display the Thunderbird "View | Toolbars" sub-menu.
You should find "Bitdefender Antispam toolbar" in that menu. Click to deactivate it.
It should do the trick. Even after rebooting and restarting Thunderbird.
HTH.
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Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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Thanks tihabil. You're un-clean solution works for me, even after several restarts and Bitdefender updates.
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@Robert2: Well done. It works. Thanks
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Question. Does unchecking this actually deactivate the anti-spam function, or does it merely hide the toolbar?
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It will only hide the toolbar. To de-activate the function you would need to disable the extension, however, the Bitdefender Anti-spam only works with POP3 accounts.
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Workaround worked for me, too! Thanks @Robert2 for sharing and your effort, I really appreciate it.
However, I take this as a temporary measure and I comment to underline the general tone of the discussion so far. As this is just a solution to get rid of the clunky looks* I still strongly insist on a permanent, clean solution to deinstall the toolbar altogether (or even better to have an option to opt-out of installing in the first place).
*Sidenote: As Thunderbird released their Supernova Update with a general facelift, the so-called antispam toolbar feels even more out-of-place than before
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@bekado, I completely agree this is temporary. It in no way resolves the ticket I submitted. With the toolbar hidden I disabled the anti-spam tool in the add-on manager and restarted Thunderbird. And the add-on manager shows it as re-enabled. So this is still churning away in the background with the toolbar hidden.
From support on June 5: "...our development team is still working a fix and it’s taking a bit more than usual. As previously mentioned, the fix will be automatically released through Bitdefender product updates, with no other actions requested from your side."
The add-on manager shows the anti-spam component as updated on July 15 and the problem is still present.
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This is still an issue I suspect BitDefender just want access to private emails so are leaving this very well designed "bug" in place.
My subscription is coming to an end in the next month, i will not be renewing due to this exact bug.
The fix is as simple as adding a check box, connected to a boolean in the bitdefender window which decides if the software installs the add on within Thunderbird or not. The fix it literally about 3 lines of code, if that. If the devs cant figure that much out, they shouldn't be writing internet security software.
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I also want to remove the "Bitdefender Antispam Toolbar". Only hiding is possible.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. Build 27.0.16.86 from August 2023. The Problem still remains.
Hoping for deletion on the part of Bitdefender. The toolbar is unnecessary in Thunderbird ...
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To all:
From support on August 3.
"I would like to give you a heads up regarding your bug report and inform you that the fix is still being developed but I have no release date yet. I want to apologize once more for the long waiting time and for any inconvenience that this might have caused."
BitDefender DOES apparently care whether I dump the subscription as a free extension was offered.
If you are a paying customer don't put up with workarounds. File a ticket and don't let up.
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As a paying customer deactivating the anti-spam feature is precisely the point of my support ticket.
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A year on, and this still isn't sorted.
I have just updated to the new Thunderbird 115, with all the extra work redoing my css files, and I find that this ridiculous toolbar is still being listed in my add-ons. I don't want it, it would do nothing for me anyway, and quite honestly I am tired of having 3rd party non-optional add-ons being rammed into my system.
WHEN will Bitdefender do something about this? I like Bitdefender reasonably enough, but I am sick of this and the lack of resolution or effort to do so by BD is causing me to think again about buying yet another year's worth of sub.
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The only reason I am putting up with it is support gave me a six month extension on the subscription. Had to jump through canned debugging hoops and submit via email so I could keep pinging the ticket.
Rather a lot of fuss and bother bother for what appears to have been a known issue. For well over a year.
If it's still a problem when the extension runs out I will be shopping alternatives. I'm sure there is SOMETHING listed at AV-Comparatives that will work.
I bought Bitdefender based on a review at PC Magazine. I have already emailed the author.
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Old situation on my system (W10 pro 22H2, TB 115.4.1, Bitdefender AV Plus 27.0.23.112 from today):
Only hiding of the "Bitdefender Antispam Toolbar" is possible. As a paying customer I'am horrified ...
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Response from support, as of October 24. Six months past the ticket submission and apparently at least a year since the issue was identified. Make of it what you will:
Thank you for your follow-up e-mail.
As mentioned previously on the ticket, a fix for this Bitdefender behavior is still undergoing development. We do not have an estimated time for the release of the fix yet, but we will contact you as soon as it's implemented by an automatic update of Bitdefender.
Please keep in mind that all reported bugs require investigation time. Since product updates are usually released once a month it may take at least 1 month until a fix is implemented in the product - this does not include the debugging period.
Also, once the fix is up we will extend the validity of your subscription by the amount of time it took to resolve the issue and to compensate for the inconvenience.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Rest assured that we will contact you again as soon as the fix is released.
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As noted above that merely hides it. Anti-spam extension is still active.
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Its May 31 2024, so 19 months have passed since creation of this thread and issue remains…
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What on earth are they playing at? Does no one from Bitdefender read these posts?
I have the spam marking activity, with no way of correcting it when it's wrong. The toolbar is hidden whether it's marked as active or not!
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Short answer: no.
Below is the May 2024 response to my support ticket 1008335501 that was submitted April 2023.
Hello,
Thank you for your follow-up e-mail.
We apologize for the duration of this process.
A fix for this Bitdefender behavior is still undergoing development. We do not have an estimated time for the release of the fix yet, but we will contact you as soon as it's implemented by an automatic update of Bitdefender.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Have a nice day!I will not be renewing my subscription. Surely I can find something else at AV-Comparatives.
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They assume an awful lot when they say that we have any patience or understanding.
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I won't renew as well. The fact that they don't solve simplest bugs for years is a big red flag for me. I feel ignored
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Even with Antispam disabled in Protection Features, the Bitdefender (Antispam) Toolbar was still installed today in Thunderbird without any notification nor permission! And cannot be removed either, only manually! And after a system restart it is installed again! This is unacceptable!
Every e-mail service provider has its own spamfilter, every e-mail client has its own spamfilter, so I DON'T need a third one! This isn't a bug, this is bad policy Bitdefender! If this isn't fixed properly I won't renew as well I think.
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As far as I know, this was fixed in the latest update v27.0.40.173.
So, first you should update Bitdefender (in the event it still displays a previous version in the UI), then check if the problem is solved with the toolbar disabled. Don't try to delete it because it won't work that way.
Below you can find the changelog that shows what was worked on as well as the manual update procedure:Let us know how it goes.
Regards
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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No sir, Antispam toolbar not showing in Thunderbird 115.0.1 is fixed in the latest update v27.0.40.173. This thread is about how to Remove the Bitdefender Antispam Toolbar in Thunderbird.
I am using the latest version of Bitdefender (v27.0.40.173) since it was released on July 9, 2024. Thunderbird version 128.0esr.
This is what the Bitdefender Support Team's Technical Support Engineer replied:
"Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns. I understand how frustrating it can be to have software behave unexpectedly.
To address your issue with the Bitdefender Antispam toolbar in Thunderbird, let's take the following steps to ensure it is disabled properly:- Disable the Antispam Feature in Bitdefender:
- Open the Bitdefender interface.
- Click on Protection from the navigation menu.
- In the ANTISPAM pane, turn off the switch to disable the Antispam feature.
- Remove the Antispam Toolbar Manually from Thunderbird:
- Open Thunderbird.
- Go to the Add-ons manager by clicking on the menu button (three horizontal lines) and selecting Add-ons.
- Locate the Bitdefender Antispam toolbar and disable or remove it.
- Ensure the Toolbar Does Not Reinstall After Restart:
- Sometimes, remnants of the toolbar might still be present. To prevent it from reinstalling, we need to ensure no leftover files prompt its reinstallation.
- Navigate to the Bitdefender installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Bitdefender\Bitdefender Security App).
- Look for any files related to the Antispam toolbar and remove them.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, please let me know so we can explore further options, such as generating a support tool log for deeper investigation.
We value your feedback and are committed to resolving this matter to your satisfaction. Please keep me updated on your progress, and feel free to reach out with any further questions or concerns."But that didn't work, after deleting 2 files (bdthunderbird78@bitdefender.com.xpi and bdthunderbird111@bitdefender.com.xpi), which had to be done in Windows Safe Mode because of a File Access Denied even though I am an Administrator, both files mentioned were there again and the Bitdefender Antispam Toolbar got reinstalled in Thunderbird again also even with Antispam disabled in Protection Features! So there are other files beside these two who prompt its reinstallation. This is really frustrating. And this thread was started in October 2022, is it really that difficult? Waiting for a new answer from the Technical Support Engineer…
0 - Disable the Antispam Feature in Bitdefender:
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Sorry for the double post. I edited the first one and after clicking Save Comment it looked like it was erased completely. Please delete the second one if you wish.
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Done :)
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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I'm currently trying to get a solution from them. They said close Thunderbird, delete bdthunderbird78@bitdefender.com.xpi from profile/extensions and restart. Surprise, surprise - it's come back!
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