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How to Set Default Account for Sending New Emails

  • 4 replies
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  • 108 views
  • Last reply by Toolworker
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Toolworker
Toolworker

I want to set one account that's used every time "+ New Message" is clicked, regardless of which account or folder I'm in.

Is that what the Default Account is for? If so, how do I set it?

This support article says there's an Account Actions button that offers Set as Default. But I don't see it.

There is a gold star next to the desired account name in the account list in Account Settings, so perhaps this has already been set as the default account. But sent emails are not defaulting to it.

Any help reducing my confusion would be appreciated.

I want to set one account that's used every time "+ New Message" is clicked, regardless of which account or folder I'm in. Is that what the Default Account is for? If so, how do I set it? [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/configuration-options-accounts#w_account-actions This support article] says there's an Account Actions button that offers Set as Default. But I don't see it. There is a gold star next to the desired account name in the account list in Account Settings, so perhaps this has already been set as the default account. But sent emails are not defaulting to it. Any help reducing my confusion would be appreciated.

Chosen solution

Thanks. I was afraid of that.

I would argue that that's not the right default. If I'm in an account, and am interrupted by something requiring a new email, Thunderbird doesn't know what account that interruption should use. So I often inadvertently shoot off a personal inquiry from a work email. (Or vice versa, but misusing a work email is worse IMO.)

If the new email is addressed to someone in my address book or a known domain, the Correct Identity add-on does a fantastic job of selecting the right identity. But it doesn't work for new messages.

I'll request that as a feature for the add-on.

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All Replies (4)

Rick
Rick
  • Top 25 Contributor

≡ menu at top right > account settings

Click on the name of the account. Click the "set as default" button at top right.

Toolworker
Toolworker Question owner

Ah, thank you.

If I'm in a folder in another account and click New Message, shouldn't the message initially be From the default account's identity? Because that's not happening.

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

If you are in an account other than the default and click to write a message, Thunderbird assume you want it to be from that account, not the default. The default is used when it would otherwise not be specific, such as when working in local folders.

Toolworker
Toolworker Question owner

Chosen Solution

Thanks. I was afraid of that.

I would argue that that's not the right default. If I'm in an account, and am interrupted by something requiring a new email, Thunderbird doesn't know what account that interruption should use. So I often inadvertently shoot off a personal inquiry from a work email. (Or vice versa, but misusing a work email is worse IMO.)

If the new email is addressed to someone in my address book or a known domain, the Correct Identity add-on does a fantastic job of selecting the right identity. But it doesn't work for new messages.

I'll request that as a feature for the add-on.

Modified by Toolworker

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