After TB is started, there is an icon in your task bar. If you right click on it, one of the choices is 'pin to task bar'. Choose that; then the next time you start up, TB will be on your task bar and ONE left click will start it.

I uninstalled Thunderbird and downloaded it again, but I'm not able to get TB (Thunderbird) to start. I even highlighted the 381 KB file with the Thunderbird icon that is called an Application type, clicked on it, but nothing happened. No program was started.

Do you have an anti-virus/firewall program running? What program are you using? Do the settings 'Allow' Thunderbird ?

Also: Start icon > Programs > Mozilla Thunderbird Is Mozilla Thunderbird in the list? If yes: right click and select 'create shortcut'. It will say that the shortcut must be put on desktop.

Yes, it's in Programs and Features of Windows 8.1. I tried both right-clicking and left-clicking on its icon and dragging it to the desktop without success.

It looks like you are in the Control Panel Programs and Features rather than the start menu.

Press the Windows button or click on the start menu icon in the top left corner. Then find TB and click on it.

I'm attaching a file that shows the menu that drops down when I click on the Windows icon in the Task Bar. If possible, help me locate Programs that you refer to. Clicking on Programs and Features brings up the Control Panel I attached in the previous message.

I am referring to the 4-pane Windows symbol which is at the top of your task bar, or use the Windows key which is the 4-pane windows symbol usually in left front row of your keyboard.

When you do that, do you get the Start page with lots of colored panels on it? Then scroll until you find TB. Click on it. OR you can type in Thunderbird in the search area (upper right).

Yes (a screen shot of "my" start screen has been uploaded). The Thunderbird program appears in Control Panel Programs and Features but not, apparently, in "my" start screen. I can go online and read messages, but it's less convenient that it used to be before re-installing Thunderbird.

The mail program on that start screen is the Win Mail and not Thunderbird. If you move your cursor to one of the corners (I think on the right), there will be a magnifying glass icon. Click on that and do a search for Thunderbird. Then click on that to start it. Let me know if that gets it...

re: I'm attaching a file that shows the menu that drops down when I click on the Windows icon in the Task Bar.

Thunderbird runs from the Desktop. So select the Desktop from the options and you should see the Thunderbird icon.

I take full responsibility for my possible lack of clarity in this conversation, but, my question is, as I mentioned in the initial post, "How do i pin a shortcut to Thunderbird on my desktop? I think this is how I will be able to quickly open Thunderbird in Windows 8.1."

Thunderbird isn't on my desktop.

I am trying to open Thunderbird by any means. If I can do it from the desktop -- all well and good. Thanks.

From the screen shot you sent us I see you are running Win 8. On that start screen, click on that downward arrow inside the circle at the lower left. This will take you to a listing of all the programs in your computer. See if you can find TB there. If so, click on it. It should switch to your desktop and start TB.

I saw the magnifying glass, clicked on it, and typed in Thunderbird.

I saw several options: Thunderbird, Thunderbird Alert, Thunderbird in Windows, Thunderbird, and Thunderbird email.

I clicked on the first option, Thunderbird. Nothing happened.

So I clicked on the second option, Thunderbird Alert. The following msg. appeared (see attachment), so I think some setting, for whatever reason, is incorrect.

A second attachment (uploaded image) shows my Desktop. I don't see any Thunderbird icon there although I may be mistaken.

First make sure you are looking at the Desktop and not the tiled app start page.

Windows 8.1 (I believe) did away with the traditional Start menu and can be confusing. Look at this link - it is a video showing you how to get those traditional Start menu back on the Desktop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji5HO-Hv6qw

when you have sorted that out... Start icon > All Programs > Mozilla Thunderbird Is Mozilla Thunderbird in the list? If yes: right click and select 'create shortcut'. It will say that the shortcut must be put on desktop. Say ok to put on desktop.

i realize it may be difficult to see the options in my attachment of the Start icon drop-down menu which is displayed when one clicks on the Start Icon in my version (8.1) of Windows. I've attached a close-up of it.

Summary: Thunderbird does not display on the desktop from my view at this end, but Thunderbird is in the Control Panel (Start icon > Programs and Features). It's also in File Explorer.

It would appear that you have decided not to install the old menu.

So do the following. Please look in this directory: C:\Program Files(86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\ On the Desktop there should be an icon called 'This PC' or open 'File Explorer' Click on 'C: drive'. Then click on 'Program Files(86)' click on 'Mozilla Thunderbird' folder

locate thunderbird.exe Application right click on thunderbird.exe and select 'create shortcut' it will say 'windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead'. Click on OK

Yes, I was able to right-click the Thunderbird.exe file and create a desktop shortcut which allowed me to open Thunderbird. It is a time saver to be able to open Thunderbird from a desktop shortcut, and I don't have to sign-in every so-many minutes as is required at the email provider's website.