I-Thunderbird Community Forum

tl;dr: I'd like to argue that a user who executes the archive action has seen the email in question, and that executing this action means that the email is no longer "newly downloaded" and doesn't deserve the highest of visual markings anymore.

We're not talking about the read/unread bit here (the green dot and the grey numbers in the folder pane). We're talking about the "newly downloaded" aka. "new and unseen" bit (the yellow star/rhombus and the blue numbers in the folder pane).

When a new email arrives, it's marked as "newly downloaded" and the inbox lights up blue because of it. Fair enough. It's also unread, of course. I often archive emails right away without opening/reading them. But I have seen the subject line of course, and I have a pretty good idea of what the email is and why I don't read it. I have the message pane disabled, so I can easily select an email without it being displayed and being marked as read. In the past, I used the message pane combined with that "mark as read after 1min" setting.

Now when I archive the message, the archive folder lights up blue and when I go in there, the email that I just archived has a star/rhombus. But I don't want my archive folder to look interesting with a blue color only because I just moved an email into it. All the blue colors are supposed to be for things I haven't seen yet and still need to look at. In fact, any email I move to a place should not be able to make that place look blue. Blue color should be for things that appeared for other reasons.

I'm aware that switching folders (e.g. away from inbox and back to it) or restarting Thunderbird will clear this "newly downloaded" bit. But I'm not doing that. I stay in the inbox, I get emails, I read them or archive them immediately. And when a folder on the left lights up in blue (that can happen thanks to my filter rules), then I take a look at that one as well. My Thunderbird application runs for weeks.

1. Click on Help/T* Bulleted list itemroubleshoot information...
2. At profile Directory click Open Directory

Which of the files do I need to change?

total 17912 drwx------. 1 j j 2442 Nov 3 14:22 . drwx------. 1 j j 120 Mar 11 2026 .. -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 786432 Sep 18 17:37 abook-1.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Sep 18 17:37 abook-1.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 622592 Mar 11 2026 abook-2.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Mar 11 2026 abook-2.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 589824 Jun 2 19:06 abook-3.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Jun 2 19:06 abook-3.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 262144 Jun 2 19:06 abook-4.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Jun 2 19:06 abook-4.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 262144 Jun 2 19:06 abook-5.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Jun 2 19:06 abook-5.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 262144 Mar 11 2026 abook.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Mar 11 2026 abook.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 75644 Nov 3 14:19 addons.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 20853 Oct 20 13:21 addonStartup.json.lz4 -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 54012 Nov 3 14:19 AlternateServices.bin -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 524288 Mar 11 2026 blist.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 98304 Nov 3 14:19 bounce-tracking-protection.sqlite drwx------. 1 j j 140 Sep 27 10:37 calendar-data -rw-------. 1 j j 229376 Mar 12 2026 cert9.db drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 940 Nov 3 14:19 chrome_debugger_profile -rw-------. 1 j j 165 Nov 3 14:19 compatibility.ini -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 583 Oct 19 07:58 containers.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 262144 Oct 9 09:48 content-prefs.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Oct 9 09:48 content-prefs.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 524288 Nov 3 14:22 cookies.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Nov 3 14:22 cookies.sqlite-wal drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 66 Nov 3 14:22 datareporting -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 136 Mar 11 2026 encrypted-openpgp-passphrase.txt -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 317 Aug 11 09:45 extension-preferences.json drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 248 Aug 27 07:56 extensions -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 222517 Nov 3 14:02 extensions.json drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 26 Apr 2 2026 extension-store-menus -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 5242880 Nov 3 14:19 favicons.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 32768 Oct 7 12:00 favicons.sqlite-shm -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Nov 3 14:19 favicons.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 207126 Nov 3 14:22 folderCache.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 15083 Nov 3 14:02 folderTree.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 262144 Mar 11 2026 formhistory.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 1245184 Nov 3 14:14 global-messages-db.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 223 Mar 13 2026 handlers.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 262144 Oct 9 09:48 history.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Oct 9 09:48 history.sqlite-wal drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 766 Oct 7 12:01 ImapMail -rw-------. 1 j j 294912 Mar 11 2026 key4.db lrwxrwxrwx. 1 j j 20 Nov 3 14:19 lock -> 10.21.105.34:+166530 -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 11897 Oct 7 12:01 logins-backup.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 360448 Jun 22 07:49 logins.db -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 10494 Oct 7 12:01 logins.json drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 36 Mar 11 2026 Mail -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 472 Mar 11 2026 mailViews.dat -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 229376 Apr 19 2026 openpgp.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Nov 3 14:19 .parentlock -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 163840 Nov 3 14:06 permissions.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 31 Apr 19 2026 persdict.dat -rw-------. 1 j j 465 Mar 11 2026 pkcs11.txt -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 5242880 Nov 3 14:22 places.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 32768 Oct 7 12:00 places.sqlite-shm -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Nov 3 14:22 places.sqlite-wal -rw-------. 1 j j 40037 Nov 3 14:20 prefs.js -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 3368 Aug 27 16:06 pubring.gpg -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 3368 Aug 27 16:06 pubring.gpg.old -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 296 Sep 24 07:15 search.json.mozlz4 -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 4353 Aug 27 16:06 secring.gpg -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 4353 Aug 27 16:06 secring.gpg.old drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 0 Mar 11 2026 security_state -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 288 Nov 3 14:22 sessionCheckpoints.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 370 Nov 3 14:22 session.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 416 Nov 3 14:19 session.json.backup drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 26 Nov 3 14:02 settings -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 5434 Nov 3 14:02 SiteSecurityServiceState.bin drwxr-xr-x. 1 j j 84 Mar 11 2026 storage -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 28672 Nov 3 14:22 storage.sqlite -rwx------. 1 j j 50 Mar 11 2026 times.json -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 65586 Oct 9 13:45 training.dat -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 8 Oct 9 13:45 traits.dat -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 10 Nov 3 14:22 virtualFolders.dat -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 98304 Mar 11 2026 webappsstore.sqlite -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 0 Mar 11 2026 webappsstore.sqlite-wal -rw-r--r--. 1 j j 3721 Nov 3 14:21 xulstore.json

Prior to the update to TB 153.5.1esr (on Linux Debian) all was fine. The update was accompanied by (caused?) a display that is huge, such that much of my content is off-screen.

I type enter and there is an extra blank line

Like this

I can't seem to find a way to stop it.

It doesn't affect bullet lists:

• Bulleted list item
• Bulleted list item

But I can't provide a tidy chunk of information, e.g. when providing my Address to someone (where bulleting doesn't make sense)

Probably something obvious - I tried from 'Format' menu changing from 'Paragraph' to 'Body Text' but it doesn't seem to stick.

FOUND IT: From MAIN APPLICATION window Menu...Edit...Settings...UNCHECK 'Use Paragraph format instead of Body Text by default' I must have checked it at some stage (or maybe it's the default)

Sometimes I enjoy a conversation with myself...but in any case maybe someone else could find this useful.

Hello:

In Thunderbird, a double-click no longer opened a highlighted email in a new tab as the 'Classic' setup used to do.

I ended up in system setting for the mouse/touchpad. The 'double click' slider had NO value set to it. The 'double click' test did not work.

I set 'a' value to the slider. Viola! The double click test works. Thunderbird works as it used to, as it has.

SOMEthing put a null value in the system settings. I had been nowhere around that function setting.

Hello !

I'm using Thunderbird in the dark mode. When I open the detail of an event in the agenda, the text is still written in black, on a gray background so this is not really readable (cf linked screen shot)

At some points I had similar issue with mails, but I found the little button "toogle dark mode for mail" that allow to keep the dark mode for thuderbird but show the mail with white background and black text.

Is there a similar functionality for the agenda ?

Thanks !

I was very frustrated that in 156.0.1 (157 as of today) on Arch there is no option to minimize to tray when closing. Now i do not know what is the cause of this, but i was unable to find any working solution ... FOR A PROBLEM SOLVED ~12 YEARS AGO >:(. Eventually resigned to system solution using SysTray-X which eventually worked.

               `ooo/                    OS: Arch Linux x86_64
             `+oooooo:                  Kernel: Linux 7.2.9-arch1-1
       ./ooosssso++osssssso+`           Desktop Environment: KDE Plasma 6.7.5
      .oossssso-````/ossssss+`          Window Manager: KWin (Wayland)

1) pacman -S systray-x 2) check plug-in in Thunderbird is present 3) change Thunderbird shortcuts to add env.variables "Exec=env MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=0 GDK_BACKEND=x11 thunderbird %u"

As per title, if I have a large enough distn list I get a warning bar (see image) with The x recipients in To and Cc will see each other's address. You can avoid disclosing by using Bcc instead. Then two options, which appears to require a response. ( I haven't tested not acknowledging it and sending a blank email to one of my large lists as I don't want to appear incompetent to all my work colleagues)

This helpful warning is (emotively) treating me like an idiot. I am well aware of the 3 categories and I know how to use them. I don't need to be told each time and have to choose. I don't need a warning, if I stuff up that's my problem.

The issue for me is that recently I have started to use some larger distn lists so it's occurring too frequently.

Have searched but so far missed any option or config setting to disable this. Can anyone please advise how to do so, if it is possible.

This isn't asking for a debate on whether or not it's a good idea to warn people who don't understand email sending options (you can guess my view but each to their own). I'm simply asking is there a way to turn this behaviour off and stop TB from wasting my time requiring a response.

Thanks.

Hi I am using TB 156.0 (64-bit) on Linux. I guess there was an update t TB and now when I reply or forward an email, the font size of the text is tiny. I also found that the font size for just viewing the body text of an email was tiny, but I was able to fix that. But for the font size in the body of a reply or forwarded email is tiny and I have gone thru all the settings for hours with no luck. Any help much appreciated.

I spend the last hour or so in sheer panic and doubting my sanitiy as an email I was just reading disappeared from every mailbox I have here (I have 8 mailboxes in Thunderbird) . Also for whatever reason search is missing from the title bar.

The email was "archived" by Thunderbird inthe "Local Folders" I never use local folders as local folders is silly in 2026 imo. I have my own mailserver which is perfectly save and backuped and stuf I don't need yet another location were mail can hide.

Anyway that was a bit of a rant. This would not have happend if this sille ¨Local Folders" didn´t exist at all. But I seem unable to get rid of it.

How do I remove ¨Local Folders" from Thunderbird?

Hi,

I used to scroll up in current message using Shift+Space, but it stopped working for a few days now. it's not mentionned in moving around TB, so I don't know if it was normal behaviour or a feature added by TB's arch maintainer.

After several hours of trying to figure out why a folder didn't show certain messages, I realised that I had selected a Custom View a few days ago and it still applied quietly when I selected that folder. This is not the first time I fall for it. Is there a way TB would show that a Custom View filtered out some of the messages? Eg the Custom View button could be depressed, or the background in the messages pane would be different, or something. As it is now, I think I won't use the feature again and save myself hours of scratching my head in the future.

I'm aware (e.g. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/1277401) of how to toggle whether the message window stays open (opening the next message) when an email is moved or deleted. But I would dearly love for it to happen only sometimes.

Specifically, when a new message comes in, I want to read it, usually move or delete it, then read the next new message, if there is one. But if the next message is an old one, I don't want to keep having it shown to me. I keep my inbox fairly tidy, but I'm getting sick of seeing that message from a year ago that doesn't have a better place to be.

So, after moving or deleting a message, if there is an adjacent unread message, keep the window open. Otherwise, close it.

If there's an unread message somewhere else in the folder, don't jump to that one. Trust that I've left it unread for a good reason, and don't want to now constantly get shown it, and also have to remember to mark is as unread again.

If it's easier to look for other unread emails based on dates, a few days (enough to span a long weekend, for example) would probably be enough, a week at the most. Or make that number user-configurable.

I have two Gmail accounts and one school account that uses Office 365. In the left panel where the inbox, drafts, etc. are, the Gmail accounts are listed in blue but the school account is listed in white. I can't see any reason for this difference in the accounts' settings. What does the difference indicate?

I'm looking for a possibility to customize the font size of OUTGOING mails (not the incoming, these I could already change). For example, what term should I search for in the advanced settings?

This is simple. Getting here is not. The issue is the zoom feature which many years ago I could not find. Now it is available and that is great, except: The CTRL + and CTRL - do not work until you first use the function in the menu. Once I use it in the menu I can use the key stroke several times to get it where I can read it. Every time though I have to go to the View function in the menu first. Simple fix.

Randy