re: If I preview and When I click on a message to open it , the message moves to the viewing pane Just to claify, there is no such thing as a 'preview'. When you left click once on an email in a list then it will open that email and display the opened email in the Message Pane.

I'm not really following you when you say click it again to open, after all you just said When I click on a message to open it , the message moves to the viewing pane, if it is in the Message Pane then it is open.

If you double click on an email in the list, then it will open the email in a new tab or window depending upon your settings. 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'Reading & Display' tab Open messages in: eg: a new tab Click on 'OK'

Are you opening the attachment whilst viewing the email in the Message Pane or are you opening the attachment from email viewed in a new tab?

How are you opening an attachment? 1. right click on attachment and choose 'Open' or 2. click on 'Save' to see drop down and select 'Open' or 3. left click on attachment for it to auto open - this only works if that type of attachment has been previously opened and selected to always open that type of attachment using a specific application. You can see the list of types of attachment and what opens them here: 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Attachments' > 'Incoming tab'

When you Close the attachment which opened in a specific program, you used the File > Exit or top right X icon. How did you close the application?

Did you move the email or delete it?

Toad-Hall said

Are you opening the attachment whilst viewing the email in the Message Pane or are you opening the attachment from email viewed in a new tab? How are you opening an attachment? 1. right click on attachment and choose 'Open' or 2. click on 'Save' to see drop down and select 'Open' or 3. left click on attachment for it to auto open - this only works if that type of attachment has been previously opened and selected to always open that type of attachment using a specific application. You can see the list of types of attachment and what opens them here: 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Attachments' > 'Incoming tab' When you Close the attachment which opened in a specific program, you used the File > Exit or top right X icon. How did you close the application? Did you move the email or delete it?

Once the email is in the message pain I have to click on the email to open it. I then select (for the attachment) "preview or open" and the attachment opens in a new tab. When I close the tab with the "X" I then have to click on the email in the message tab to re-open the email. I have not moved or deleted any of the emails in question.

re Once the email is in the message pain I have to click on the email to open it

Did you read my comment? If you select the email and it is shown in Message Pane - can you see the message in the Message Pane - if yes - then it is already Open so your comment seems illogical. why are you trying to open an email that is alrady open? Do you mean you wanted to see the message in a new tab, so you decide to double click on the list again to open in a tab? In which case why don't you double click in the first place?

re: I then select (for the attachment) "preview or open" and the attachment opens in a new tab. right click on attachment offers' Open, Save as , Detach and Delete'

What you are describing is not standard Thunderbird, are you using an addon? What addons are you using? Have you checked that all addons are up to date?