Thunderbird How to restore the old "Get new messages" and "Write" buttons instead of the new cloud symbol and New message buttons which really aren't explanatory or helpful
My newly updated Thunderbird has had the "Get new messages" and "Write" buttons replaced with a cloud symbol and a "New message" button. These are not as intuitive as the old ones and in the case of "New message" seemed more likely to be the new "Get new messages" button - but it isn't. Is there a way to restore the old buttons which were clear in their meaning, or at least to customise the new buttons with their old function text? I've tried playing around with the customising button options but apart from being able to add a Get messages button to the very top bar (where I would never think to look for functions other than to minimise or close the window) I cant see how to replace the new and confusing buttons or add some helpful text to the cloud symbol button. Thanks
All Replies (6)
Clicking the cloud icon gets mail for the current account. Other accounts can be selected by right-clicking.
Clicking the Get Messages button that can be added to the Unified bar will get mail for all accounts. In the next release, 115.4, it will have a context menu like the cloud icon.
Thanks, but my point was that I don't want a cloud icon at all in the folder pane - it does not immediately symbolise Get New Messages at all, which is what I'd like it to go back to saying. I'd more naturally guess its a Back up to Cloud tool, or opens Hidden Tools, or some kind of private mode. And Changing the old Write button to + New Message right next to it just reinforces the impression that the cloud symbol is nothing to do with getting new messages. Having to hover a cursor over something to see what it is is an unnecessary distraction. I need to see clear text, like it used to be, not a Guess What this Does button. I appreciate that Get Messages and Write can now be added as text to the unified bar at the top but this is not where these functions were in my previous layout (i.e. in the folder pane header). Given that the folder pane header remains, can't its cloud symbol and New Message buttons be modified back to their more intuitive previous versions (i.e. Get New Messages and Write)? A simple revision or customisation option surely?
I'm not aware the Write and Get Messages were ever in the Folder Pane Header. They were 'closer' to the header, since the Mail Toolbar with the buttons was lower than the current Unified bar (it's possible to merge the Menu and Unified bar and place the combined bar right above the tabs bar). You can hide the 115 Folder Pane Header from View/Folders and use the Get Messages and Write buttons on the Unified bar.
Currently, only the colours of the cloud icon and New Message button can be altered, with css.
It's not that customization options are hard to implement, it's that the developers don't see the need for them.
Thanks but I promise you that, until my Thunderbird updated itself automatically this week, for many years I had a Get New Messages button and a Write button exactly where the new Cloud symbol button and New Message button display now, immediately above my list of inbox folders. The only thing that has changed is that the old buttons which were self explanatory now have very unintuitive replacements, which in the case of the blue New Message button is positively unhelpful being right next to the replacement for the Get New Messages button, which completely confuses their functions. Quite why the developers thought this was in any way a beneficial change is beyond me - their old labels were immediately easy to understand and you didn't have to hover or try them to find out what they do (or, in the case of the new New Message button, waste time finding out that it has nothing to do with getting new messages).
I have a different problem: I used to have a New Message button that I could click to begin writing a new email. Then one day it vanished - no idea why! Does anyone know how I can restore it? I found it helpful. I don't see the cloud icon you folks are talking about. Thanks, Jean
Hello
First, the header of the folder panel must be displayed: Menu- Display - Folders - Header of the folder panel. https://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=14966158#p14966158
Other information https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/thunderbird-just-updated-now-i-dont-get-new-messages-from-all-3/m-p/46910/highlight/true#M16834