re :''Sometimes there is a message in the notification strip "No messages to download" I have no idea when this comes up'' When you start up Thunderbird, it sounds like you have settings to 'check for new messages at start up'. So, each mail account with that setting will access server and check. If there are no messages, then you will get a message in the bottom 'Status Bar' saying 'There are no messages' else it will say it downloading x messages. After a period it will disappear probably because it has a task it is reporting on such as checking for new messages. The Status Bar will show various info. When initially accessing server, it will say it is looking up, logging in, connecting, connected, downloading messages etc. Basically, It tells you what is going on when accessing server. re : ''Clicking on "Get messages" blanks this'' It will remove it because it will now be performing another check because you told it to do a check for messages. You do not have any control over this information other than setting when the checks for new mail occurs. You can choose to hide or display the 'Status Bar', but I would recommend that you keep it visible as the Status bar contain various useful information. If you have the setting 'check for new messages every x minutes' then TB will auto access the server and check for new messages every X minutes. It is usual to set this to 10 minutes or more. If you have an imap mail account which uses the IDLE command then the server will auto connect when there is a new message on server and it will override whatever your settings may be. These settings are in your Account settings window. 'Tools' > 'Account Settings' > 'Server Settings' for the mail account OR Right click on mail account name in Folder Pane and select 'Settings' then select 'Server Settings' for the mail account. --------------------------------- If you have an IMAP mail account and you have not selected any option to check for new messages but it still does, then it is likely it is using the IDLE command. If you want total control and only check when you say 'Get Messages' then you may need to switch off the IDLE command. In the 'Account Settings' > 'Server Settings' window click on 'Advanced' button uncheck 'Use IDLE command if the server supports it' click on OK Click on OK to save and close Account Settings window. ------------------------------------- You can tell when a mail account has accessed server and what has occured by looking in the 'Activity Manager'. It will also tell what has been moved and deleted etc. 'Tools' > 'Activity Manager' or 'Menu icon' > 'Activity Manager' ----------------------------- Mail notification can be set here: 'Tools' > 'Options' >' General' or 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' >' General' This offers you the option of getting an alert notification as a pop up usually in the bottom right of screen. What information it contains and how long it appears can be set by clicking on 'Customise'. I believe this is what you have set up as 31 seconds. You can also choose to show a tray icon which will display until you access the emails. In addition, you can also choose to play a sound if you choose that option.