I-Thunderbird Isithangami Sokwesekwa

This is the best I can do to get back to a usable User interface after v115 automatically installed and completely removed the ability to get messages etc. The problems that remain that I can't solve:

Mozilla Help is silent on these issues:

See third image named broken UI 1) Using the three dots I could get rid of the bright blue "New Message" button but I can't get a matching bright blue "Get Messages" button to go with it even though the option for a get message button is enabled in the ... menu. Unchecking that option seems remove the tiny gray meaningless thundercloud icon that isn't labeled to tell us what it is if you even happen to notice that tiny meaningless icon even exists. I clicked the option on and off several times before I could tell what changed. So I'm forced to use the new customizable tool bar that is located so far up it has no association with email at all. My number 1 question is: How can I get a get a nice labeled "Get Messages" Button just like the "New Message" Button in this location?

See second image named swap menu bars 2) The new customizable menu bar v115 brought is above the real menu bar that has always existed. Customizing that by putting buttons on it was the only way I could even get buttons equivalent to what v115 totally removed. Unfortunately it is located where the windows Title Bar should be located and I can't find a way to move it down. My number 2 question is: How can I move the new customizable tool bar menu down below the classic File View Edit menu that also gets used a lot.

See first image named gray bubbles 3) Notice the new gray bubbles with a number in them. The only options I can find add other numbers in addition to this. My number 3 question is: How can I get rid of the new annoying gray bubbles with the meaningless number in it.

I have been using Thunderbird like Forever. Just downloaded for my new computer (Windows 11). Version 115.3.2 I HATE this new format. I have read other complaints about this with the question How Can I Get The Old Format Back? That question is never answered. I want the main space back on the majority of the screen. Now the majority of the screen is taken up with a list of messages with only a small box on the right for the actual message. I Hate This. If I can't get back to the old format I will probably have to go to some other e-mail program, and my donations will go with me!!!

My wife and I have both used Thunderbird successfully since the Turnpike email clients became obsolete with Win7. We have enjoyed doing this. I have also made occasional donations over these years to support Thunderbird when appeals have been made. We are both, however, disgusted with the new layout of Thunderbird and have now downgraded back to ver 91. We will continue using this earlier version as long as we can and have no intention of upgrading again to your new monstrosity. The familiarity of a layout is a vital part of using any software and we have not found the new layout, FORCED upon us, at all helpful or in any way "better" than before. Your failure to provide any flexibility in adjusting the new layout to become more familiar to us is dismal - have you not heard the expression "If it 'aint broke, don't fix it"? Not all of us want the latest gismos and features and are quite content to continue with what we have. You could at least have still allowed that possibility in the options provided rather than denying us it by FIAT. If it proves impossible to continue with the earlier version at some time in the future we will find another email client to use instead. Sadly we will then no longer be supporting your work.

Please restore my old version of Thunderbird - at 85 years I am not computer savvy and I am too old to learn new tricks. So please tell me how I might get back the previous layout of Thunderbird. Kind regards, Lawrence (Laurie) Ford. Melbourne Australia. 2nd October,2023.