Due to a bug report: The font colour for new unread emails has just been changed to blue because of several complaints it was impossible to detect what was read or unread when colour was white. The bold colour was barely discernible from non bold.

So read mail in list should still be white.

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1588000

I'm not certain what the problem seems to be because the image you supplied is very clear and readible on my monitor screen.

Could what you are seeing be effected by the brightness setting on your monitor/screen ?

If it is clashing with a TAG colour, it would be easier to change the colour of the tag effected.

Toad-Hall said

So read mail in list should still be white. I personally don't care if READ mail color is purple w/pink polka dots heck it could even go black as fas as I am concerned, it UNREAD mail color I want to change. I personally prefer either white or cyan for unread as it is easier for ME to see So once again is it possible for the USER to change the color of the text?

No worries. It was entirely possible your computer setup was not helping you before being required to do the following.

You need to do the following. Make Hidden files and folder visible:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders

In Thunderbird:

• Help > Troubleshooting Information
• click on 'Open folder' button

a new window opens showing the contents of your Profile folder.

• Close Thunderbird now - this is important.

• Create new folder and call it chrome note the spelling - use a lower case 'c' It should be in the same place as the 'Mail' folder.

• open Notepad
• Copy everything - all the text between lines below and paste it into the Notepad document.

/*
 
* Do not remove the @namespace line -- it's required for correct functioning
 */

@namespace url("http://www.mozilla.org/keymaster/gatekeeper/there.is.only.xul"); 

/* set default namespace to XUL */
/*Change font color to white*/

#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-cell-text(unread) {
-moz-appearance: none !important;
color: #ffffff !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

• Save the document as filename userChrome.css in the 'chrome' folder. Note the spelling all lower case except for the 'C'.

Start Thunderbird.

Ahh Thank you sir. That helps.

I'm not a fan of the default blue for unread messages (as I tend to leave my messages unread and so find the blue a bit overwhelming) - so found this fix really helpful in colouring my unread messages white.

However - the (now white) unread messages don't show a Tag colour. Is it possible to apply the rule to unread message which aren't tagged? That way, their Tag colour will still be visible.

jon.gilbert re :However - the (now white) unread messages don't show a Tag colour. Is it possible to apply the rule to unread message which aren't tagged? As the rule already shows white for all unread including those unread and tagged. I think you really mean unread messages that ARE tagged to show the tag colour instead of the default white.

This took a bit of digging as a recent change to tags altered the coding, but it is possible :)

You would need to access the Thunderbird 'about:config' window in order to see the current list of tags in your prefs. To access the 'about:config' do the following:

• 'Menu icon(3 lines)' > Options > Options > Advanced > 'General' tab
• click on 'Config Editor' button
• In search type :tags

Some are default ones set up by Thunderbird and they will have a label called eg: $label1, $label2 etc So in the coding the '$label1' will take the form of 'T-24label1'. The -24 is a hex substitute for $. Any tags you have created (I created one called 'Done') will show same name as the tag in lower case eg: done. So in the coding the 'done' will take the form of 'Tdone'. Each tag will also have a colour in the form of a hex code eg: #ffffff.

These are examples of what you would be looking for:

• mailnews.tags.$label1.tag; Value = Important
• mailnews.tags.$label1.color; Value = #FF0000
• mailnews.tags.done.tag; Value = Done
• mailnews.tags.done.color; Value = #009900

As Thunderbird will need to be closed, please make a note of the all the relevant tag information in eg: Notepad or write it down.

Then Exit Thunderbird. Access the 'chrome' folder and open the 'userChrome.css' file.

Do not remove anything you currently have in the userChrome.css file. You will need to add the following to the 'userChrome.css' file for each default label tag, obviously changing the label number and colour for each one.

It requires all three sections per label number. I have 5 label numbers, one for each default thunderbird tag. So repeat 5 times, carefully altering the label number and the colour for those parts I've shown in bold.

/*Important tag*/
#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-cell-text(T_24label1, unread) {
color: #FF0000 !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-cell-text(T_24label1, selected, unread, focus) {
color: #ffffff !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}
#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-row(T_24label1, selected, unread, focus) {
background-color: #FF0000 !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

Then for each tag you have created, you need to add the following for each tag you have created, altering the name of tag and colour as before.

/*Done tag*/
#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-cell-text(Tdone, unread) {
color: #009900 !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-cell-text(Tdone, selected, unread, focus) {
color: #ffffff !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}
#threadTree treechildren::-moz-tree-row(Tdone, selected, unread,  focus) {
background-color: #009900 !important;
font-weight: bold !important;
}

Save the 'userChrome.css' file.

Start Thunderbird.

That's perfect - thank you!

Thanks, this works, but it's really cumbersome for some legacy tags I have with diacritics... I'd just like to add what's not apparent from the example - the number you put instead of "$" should be written in hexadecimal and lowercase. Of course you have to substitute also other symbols. For example, I also had to substitute "&" for _26 and "-" for _2d.

re :I'd just like to add what's not apparent from the example - the number you put instead of "$" should be written in hexadecimal and lowercase.

Whilst I made an error with the underscore in the example, it is shown correctly in the actual coding. Sorry for any confusion. Correction: So in the coding the '$label1' will take the form of 'T_24label1'. The _24 is a hex substitute for $.

Toad-Hall said

Due to a bug report: The font colour for new unread emails has just been changed to blue because of several complaints it was impossible to detect what was read or unread when colour was white. The bold colour was barely discernible from non bold. So read mail in list should still be white. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1588000 I'm not certain what the problem seems to be because the image you supplied is very clear and readible on my monitor screen. Could what you are seeing be effected by the brightness setting on your monitor/screen ? If it is clashing with a TAG colour, it would be easier to change the colour of the tag effected.

I wonder why they didn't stick with white for unread messages and a light or medium gray for read messages. That would keep them perfectly clear, without interfering with any range of tag colors. I don't want any messages to have color other than those with tags, in part so tags always stand out super clearly, regardless of their hue. That would be the most productive way to go. Using a blue hue for all unread messages means that most blues will fail to stand out so clearly, limiting the range of useful colors for tags. (IMO, it also looks less clean and professional to have all messages appear blue. But that's less important than visual clarity.)

Wow, requiring that workaround is way too cumbersome (though kind of you to share). Can't Thunderbird just allow users to select the Unread message color, without messing with tag colors?

re :Wow, requiring that workaround is way too cumbersome

Please rest assured, it may sound a bit daunting if you have not done this before, but if you can follow instructions, create folders, copy and paste text and save the file, then it is not difficult and takes only a couple of minutes to do and you would be able to choose whatever colour you prefer.

Sorry people, but the text had to change colour because people complained about visibility. So, I've put together some help for those who prefered the original set up or want to tweak the colour to whatever they prefer.

The first set of code which is set as the 'Chosen Solution' will return the unread text colour to white and bold. example:

• White = ##FFFFFF
• Soft grey = #E2E1E1

This is a link to a colour picker where you can get the hex codes:

• https://www.w3schools.com/colors/colors_mixer.asp

The additional set of code I supplied is specific to those people who do not mark their emails as read and want the ability to tag emails with choice of colour. This additional set of code is not required if you only tag emails that have been marked as read first.

This ability to be able to control certain aspects of Thunderbird is a real bonus and one of main reasons I think Thunderbird is so user friendly, even if sometimes it means moving outside of what you may call a comfort zone.

I hope the information will be of help to anyone who needs it.

Toad-Hall said

Please rest assured, it may sound a bit daunting if you have not done this before, but if you can follow instructions, create folders, copy and paste text and save the file, then it is not difficult and takes only a couple of minutes to do and you would be able to choose whatever colour you prefer. Sorry people, but the text had to change colour because people complained about visibility. "

I appreciate your points. I very respectfully disagree on both, or perhaps I should say I happen to view them differently:

1. Text did not actually have to change to a color with saturation. It could have changed to some % gray (whichever works best). That would have been perfectly clear and visible, solving the original issue without also causing a new one or becoming so inconsistent with the rest of the Thunderbird UI. And if some wanted blue (or any other color), adding such an option to Preferences would allow all users to be pleased. Instead, Thunderbird is now a less clear and less professional-looking interface (that’s irritating to look at), for those of us who make regular use of tags.

I think Blue was an interesting but not thoroughly thought-through solution. :)

2. The workarounds are cumbersome and irritating. Sure, some people are used to tinkering with css and such, and that’s fine. But that’s not most users. Most just use an app and maybe set some options in Preferences and trust an app will work clearly, consistently and efficiently. Again, it’s helpful and most generous to share those workaround steps. I just don't think users should suddenly have to start bothering with all that tinkering, having to look it up and work it out again every time they change or add a tag color. Tags have been and should remain a quick, simple option that you can set and change easily in Preferences, without all those extra, unfamiliar, and confusing (to those who don’t tinker) steps. Like many, I use a bunch of tags (usually 8, sometimes more), most of which are automatically added when messages appear in Thunderbird for clarity.

Now Thunderbird is a mess (see image).

I trust this will be solved in an upcoming update soon. In 18 years of loyal use, I’ve never had an issue with Thunderbird’s interface, before this. Mozilla has a seriously impressive record, IMO!

Please see the attached image, which shows what Thunderbird could look like using white and lt. gray for read and unread messages that aren't tagged with a color. It's a common design choice that works well.

This design is undeniably clearer overall, while retaining an unmistakable contrast between read and unread images, as well as a clear contrast between untagged messages (COLORLESS) and tagged messages (COLORS) — all while maintaining easy readability. It checks all the boxes, including that of consistency. It even makes users better-looking*.

But if possible, giving users the simple option in Preferences could be the best solution for the most people.

*This claim untested.

I have found the chrome add-on to be pretty good, but not perfect, when looking at messages in the list view. The selected one is still not highlighted as expected.

I don't see it in this thread but in the current version 68.3.0 it is now impossible to change the color of the body text in an outgoing message. 'The same control appears, but it does not apply the selected color.

dennisburnham said

I have found the chrome add-on to be pretty good, but not perfect, when looking at messages in the list view. The selected one is still not highlighted as expected. I don't see it in this thread but in the current version 68.3.0 it is now impossible to change the color of the body text in an outgoing message. 'The same control appears, but it does not apply the selected color.

Tools/Options/Composition/General/HTML, uncheck 'Use reader's default colors' and choose the Text Color.

Update Information which should help:

Please make sure you have updated to the recent version 68.3.1 Dark theme: All new unread mail has been reverted to bold white and read mail has been changed to a grey. This means any changes made by using the 'userChrome.css' file can be removed. You can stop the 'userChrome.css' from working by deleteing it or changing the name of the file to 'XuserChrome.css' or if using the 'userchrome.css' file for other things then you can edit the file to remove effected sections - do this whilst Thunderbird is not running.

I hope this info will be of assistance and improve your situaton.

Unfortunately, you misunderstood the question. Yes, I am using the most recent version and that is the problem: there is no longer the ability to assign colors to selected text in a message being composed. The tool shown in my screen shot no longer works the way it did in the past. Whatever color is selected is ignored.

Tools/Options/Composition/General/HTML is a path that does not exist in macOS but something similar is in the preferences. My settings there are exactly as recommended.

Still, the tool shown in my screen shot ignores whatever is chosen when you try to apply a color to selected text.

dennisburnham This question is specifically about the default text colour of unread emails in the Thread Pane. You do not appear to be talking about that particular issue. I suggest you start your own question to get assistance.