Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How do I set TB's default startup view to show e-mail message list instead of only the latest opened message?

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 36 views
  • Last reply by alysenet

Hi, I just now installed Thunderbird 24.3 and am using Thunderbird for the first time ever. From having had Outlook Express before, I am used to the app opening to my full list of mail boxes (Inbox, Sent, Car, Cat, etc.) upon clicking the app's program icon. In TB, however, I am instead finding that TB opens showing the *latest e-mail message I had opened* -- no list of mail boxes. I end up having to click the upper left arrow in TB numerous times until I can no longer click leftward any more, at which point the tab appears that names the latest e-mail message that I had opened previously, at which time I can then *click* on that tab, which magically opens the list of my e-mail boxes that I wanted to show in the first place. I would like avoiding this rigamarole in the future. Thanks for any insights.

Hi, I just now installed Thunderbird 24.3 and am using Thunderbird for the first time ever. From having had Outlook Express before, I am used to the app opening to my full list of mail boxes (Inbox, Sent, Car, Cat, etc.) upon clicking the app's program icon. In TB, however, I am instead finding that TB opens showing the *latest e-mail message I had opened* -- no list of mail boxes. I end up having to click the upper left arrow in TB numerous times until I can no longer click leftward any more, at which point the tab appears that names the latest e-mail message that I had opened previously, at which time I can then *click* on that tab, which magically opens the list of my e-mail boxes that I wanted to show in the first place. I would like avoiding this rigamarole in the future. Thanks for any insights.

Chosen solution

Have you considered closing the tabs you have open for the mail you were reading? each one is using memory on your computer and probably if you get enough of them open you can manage to crash Thunderbird.

Right click the tab select :CLose other tabs"

Perhaps if you open emails in a windows, you will remember to close them Tools menu (Alt+T) > options > Advanced > reading and display and select to use a Windows instead of a tab

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

Chosen Solution

Have you considered closing the tabs you have open for the mail you were reading? each one is using memory on your computer and probably if you get enough of them open you can manage to crash Thunderbird.

Right click the tab select :CLose other tabs"

Perhaps if you open emails in a windows, you will remember to close them Tools menu (Alt+T) > options > Advanced > reading and display and select to use a Windows instead of a tab

Thanks so much for your speedy, thorough, and detailed reply. I have done as you suggested, deciding to go with the "open message in existing window" option. How great is that! One reason I chose to go with Thunderbird when I changed from an XP PC to Windows 7 (besides TB being free) was the clearly written support and easy forum posting method I saw online. This continues to hold true -- Still so glad I chose Thunderbird! Thanks again.