Does this help? https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/message-threading-thunderbird#w_changing-default-threading-mode

Recent versions also have a setting in the user interface (vs. the configuration editor). See the screenpic.

Thanks but neither of these help. The first reply - link - That doesn't address how to do it for search results. Also it only allows to push ALL folder view settings to all folders. I certainly don't want to do that!

Second reply - Mine doesn't look like that. No idea why, I checked Fedora for updates and don't see any for Thunderbird. I looked up my version and it says "128.11.0esr"

Your settings do not look like that because you are not using a more current version. I use the monthly release channel, which is recommended, not the esr release channel. The current version is 139.

My search results are not threaded.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/choosing-thunderbird-release-channel

https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

In also using same version as you - 128.11.0esr

Your answer did not mention if you had auto switched off default setting for threads in new folders.

This is what I found:

Setting the 'mailnews.default_view_flags' to 0 (zero) and then saving it means all new folders you then create will default to unthreaded. It does not effect any folder that's already created.

But that setting to zero also effects what I see in 'Open Message in Conversation'. But you do have to close already opened as conversations. If I now reselect a thread even if that folder is set to use threading - 'Open' > 'Open message in conversation'. - It has auto switched off threading.

If I reset the 'mailnews.default_view_flags' to 1 then reopen a thread in 'Open Message in Conversation' has auto enabled the threading again.

So I reset back to zero and now all new 'Open message in conversation' is back to unthreaded.

Your settings do not look like that because you are not using a more current version. I use the monthly release channel, which is recommended, not the esr release channel. The current version is 139.

There is a reason I am using the version I am using, I would only be doing it if I was advised to and I seem to remember being advised to on here at some point

In also using same version as you - 128.11.0esr Your answer did not mention if you had auto switched off default setting for threads in new folders. This is what I found: Setting the 'mailnews.default_view_flags' to 0 (zero) and then saving it means all new folders you then create will default to unthreaded. It does not effect any folder that's already created. But that setting to zero also effects what I see in 'Open Message in Conversation'. But you do have to close already opened as conversations. If I now reselect a thread even if that folder is set to use threading - 'Open' > 'Open message in conversation'. - It has auto switched off threading. If I reset the 'mailnews.default_view_flags' to 1 then reopen a thread in 'Open Message in Conversation' has auto enabled the threading again. So I reset back to zero and now all new 'Open message in conversation' is back to unthreaded.

Thank you for this. I don't follow completely, where do I find this setting to try changing it?

Thanks but neither of these help. The first reply - link - That doesn't address how to do it for search results. Also it only allows to push ALL folder view settings to all folders. I certainly don't want to do that!

"For search results" is a different beast. You can change columns, but sorting and threading you cannot in any version, and I don't know of any plan to fix this for immediately upcoming versions because search is being rewritten.

Second reply - Mine doesn't look like that. No idea why, I checked Fedora for updates and don't see any for Thunderbird. I looked up my version and it says "128.11.0esr"

You will see it in 140esr in about a month.

re: where do I find this setting to try changing it - 'mailnews.default_view_flags'

In Thunderbird

• Settings > General
• Scroll to the bottom and click on 'Config Editor' button
• 'Advanced Preferences' opens in a new tab

• In top search type: view_f
• look for: 'mailnews.default_view_flags'
• Click on the 'pencil' icon to the right - this allows you to edit
• Remove the number one 1 and then type the number zero 0
• click on the 'tick' icon to save the setting.

so now you see 'mailnews.default_view_flags' = 0 (zero)

then right click on thread and select 'Open' > 'Open message in conversation'

There is nothing wrong with using 128.11.0esr But what is the difference: ESR The official annual Extended Support Release. This release is intended for users who want all available new features on an annual basis and stability/security fixes on a monthly basis.

So basically, this one keeps you up to date with stability/security fixes, but you will not get so many updates and changes for new features. The bonus is those new features should be well tested by the time you get to experience them. Those who like to get more frequent updates when new features are released should try the 'release' version.

Release The official monthly Release. This release is intended for users who want all available new features and bug fixes on a monthly basis. You will find this has recently been worded as a 'recommended' download. Any issues with new features should get picked up and attract developer attention to fix in a relatively short time and may see updates perhaps in the following month. Although most issues should have been reported by those using the beta version, so in theory, should be fixed in time for the 'release' version.

So whatever you use, it's just a matter of preference, there is no right or wrong.

re: where do I find this setting to try changing it - 'mailnews.default_view_flags' In Thunderbird

• Settings > General
• Scroll to the bottom and click on 'Config Editor' button
• 'Advanced Preferences' opens in a new tab

• In top search type: view_f
• look for: 'mailnews.default_view_flags'
• Click on the 'pencil' icon to the right - this allows you to edit
• Remove the number one 1 and then type the number zero 0
• click on the 'tick' icon to save the setting.

so now you see 'mailnews.default_view_flags' = 0 (zero) then right click on thread and select 'Open' > 'Open message in conversation'

Thank you very much for this. I did those steps, it was set to 1 so I changed it to zero.

"then right click on thread and select 'Open' > 'Open message in conversation'" - Sorry but I have no idea what that means. I never open anything like that, i just want ALL threading off (as close to that as possible!).

You stated: "Is it possible to turn off ALL of those threading features across the entire program?"

Then you said "link - That doesn't address how to do it for search results. Also it only allows to push ALL folder view settings to all folders. I certainly don't want to do that "

There are several aspects to 'threading' and I was offering information which should sort out these three things: If you use this setting: 'mailnews.default_view_flags' = 0 (zero)

1. When you create a new folder using the above setting it auto switches off threading in a new folder. You can still choose to enable the threading on a folder if you require it.

2. For any email whether using threading or unthreading on a folder - the 'Open Message in Conversation' will now auto list unthreaded and you can choose the order eg: sort by date This option 'Open Message in Conversation' lists more than emails received in a thread - it also includes any responses you sent as replies. So it is a way of seeing the full conversation.

3 You mention 'Search' but did not mention what type of search. So for your benefit I tested all of them.

'Quick Folder' search operates on the selected folder, so whatever is 'filtered' will still be viewing in the same folder and therefore using whatever Sort by option was already applied. So in folders where threading is enabled - threading will still be enabled.

The 'Edit' > 'Find' > 'Search Messages' option: Does not have a column header to use 'threaded', so I'm thinking you are not talking about those immediate search results. Maybe you then created a 'Save as Search Folder' That would be considered a new folder view and as auto threading is now disabled, you would not see threading unless you then manually enabled it in the Search Results folder.

So I then tested Global Search I searched for a term which I knew could be threaded. Then clicked on the 'Show results as list' All results were listed and threading was not auto enabled although the 'threads' column header was available if I wanted to use it to enable threads.

Just to test this... I altered the default 'mailnews.default_view_flags' = 1" (put it back to one 1) then performed the Global Search again on exactly the same search as previous I selected 'Show results as list' and guess what - yes all my results were now threaded on certain emails.

I went back and altered the 'mailnews.default_view_flags' = 0 (back to zero to switch it off) then tested again and yes - all back to unthreaded. But this was expected.

So, when I told you to set 'mailnews.default_view_flags' = 0 This meant all your search results and all new folders and the right click option open in conversation now used unthreaded by default. Did I misunderstand something because I thought this was specifically what you wanted this to occur?

Excellent thanks. Yes I basically wanted to make sure the global search results never used threading, and looks like that should be solved now thanks to you, much appreciated. Aside from that, a bonus would be to just get rid of ALL threading EVERYWHERE! And I suspect that may now be the case as well which is very cool :)