In 'Write' window 'View' > 'Toolbars' > select 'Formatting Bar'

there is no formatting bar

Check you have selected to write in html. Image below is a guide.

• Right click on mail account name in Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
• Select 'Composition & Addressing'
• Select checkbox 'Compose messages in HTML format'
• click on 'OK'

• Click on 'Write'

If Formatting Bar is still not visible:

• 'View' > 'Toolbars' > select 'Formatting Bar'

see image below as a guide.

how do i stop the message pane from always coming up even for just a second or so. is there a way to disable it permanently. or is it an add on

i have tried disabling all my extentions/addons and it still did it. yyet does not in safemode

The 'Message Pane' is not an addon extension. Some people think the Message Pane is a type of preview pane, it isn't. A single left click on an email in the Message List will open the email in the Message Pane if it is enabled. A double click will open in a new tab or window depending upon the settings you have selected. Both methods equally open an email, but obviously if using the Message Pane you do not need to close it when you select another email. It's a quick way of checking emails.

By default it is in the section below the Message List, but you can move the Message Pane to the right side of Message List which is good if you have a wide screen monitor or use the full width of lower window.

The 'Message Pane' can be quickly toggled on or off using the F8 key on keyboard.

If using the top 'Menu Bar' toolbar: 'View' > 'Layout' > 'Message Pane'

If using the 'Menu icon' (3 horizontal lines) on the 'Mail toolbar': 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Layout' > 'Message Pane'

Are you choosing to disable the 'Message Pane', but it keeps opening/auto enabled anyway the next time you open Thunderbird ? But it does not auto open/enable if you start in Safe Mode ?

Are you using the default 'theme'? If no then select to use the default thunderbird theme and test again. What theme are you using?

What OS are you using? eg: Windows 10, MAC mojave, Ubuntu 19.04 ?

What version of Thunderbird are you using? 'Help' > 'About Thunderbird' will tell you the version.

Are you using a program like CCleaner or similar? A program that cleans up temp and session files etc. Note some Anti-virus programs also provide this type of cleaning up of files. If yes, then you need to make sure that program does not have access to any thunderbird profile files.

yes i am using default theme version 68.0.1 windows7 pro. aand yes i use Cccleaner and have thunderbird checked but only for cache downloads etc. yes i would like it not to keep opening when i to to the in box iuse Norton free as my antivirus

how do i permanently disable message pane there used to be an addon no message pane but it is not compatible' with this version . it comes up for like a second then goes away

re :yes i use Cccleaner and have thunderbird checked

It is highly likely that CCleaner is clearing out session data before it can be written to files. Many people have had all kinds of issues with CCleaner clearing session, cache and password files and causing all kinds of annoying issues. You should not allow CCleaner anywhere near any profile data.

not sure if this is doing it or not

I have an add on called seect in box

so should i not check the thunderbird app there a t all

un check thunderbird

thank you for your help