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no send later button

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Recently switched to Thunderbird from Pmail as I'm now running Linux Mint 17 instead of windows. Generally Thunderbird is excellent but amazingly quirky in some important respects. And here's one I've just spent an hour trying to fathom from your FAQs and failed. In my business application I , like many other people I assume, reply to my emails first thing in the morning and stockpile my replies (whether on-line or not) then send them all in one go when I have finished them all.

You would think there would be a 'Send Later' button on the toolbar next to the 'send' button when composing which puts the email into the outbox ready for sending at my choice, like most other email clients, but there isn't. Instead I have to double click twice on 'File' - Send Later ( a loss of function and an irritation for so simple and frequently used command).

All that is necessary is to place a 'send later' icon on the toolbar but there is no send later icon in the customise section for that compose toolbar! Thunderbird may be very clever at sensing when it's on-line and changing the toolbar accordingly but I don't need that cleverness. What I need is a send-later button that works when I want it to.

The FAQs and help files all insist on me installing a new send-later button of unnecessary complexity which requires even more clicks because it demands I specify a time to send later, requiring further inputs!

I've checked on the icon installation packs and though there's plenty of icons there, they still don't appear to have a send-later icon which can appear on the toolbar. Obviously this is some Thunderbird peculiarity. 

(1) How can I get a send-later icon on my compose toolbar?

This should be a standard function really.

Recently switched to Thunderbird from Pmail as I'm now running Linux Mint 17 instead of windows. Generally Thunderbird is excellent but amazingly quirky in some important respects. And here's one I've just spent an hour trying to fathom from your FAQs and failed. In my business application I , like many other people I assume, reply to my emails first thing in the morning and stockpile my replies (whether on-line or not) then send them all in one go when I have finished them all. You would think there would be a 'Send Later' button on the toolbar next to the 'send' button when composing which puts the email into the outbox ready for sending at my choice, like most other email clients, but there isn't. Instead I have to double click twice on 'File' - Send Later ( a loss of function and an irritation for so simple and frequently used command). All that is necessary is to place a 'send later' icon on the toolbar but there is no send later icon in the customise section for that compose toolbar! Thunderbird may be very clever at sensing when it's on-line and changing the toolbar accordingly but I don't need that cleverness. What I need is a send-later button that works when I want it to. The FAQs and help files all insist on me installing a new send-later button of unnecessary complexity which requires even more clicks because it demands I specify a time to send later, requiring further inputs! I've checked on the icon installation packs and though there's plenty of icons there, they still don't appear to have a send-later icon which can appear on the toolbar. Obviously this is some Thunderbird peculiarity. (1) How can I get a send-later icon on my compose toolbar? This should be a standard function really.

Chosen solution

I've done a bit more searching for you and found this Addon extension: MagicSLR 4.0.1 MagicSLR extends functions and buttons to get and send messages. Many users missed a combined "Get/Send" button in Thunderbird. MagicSLR provides this button and more. You can then add a 'Send Later' button from the customising window.

Additional info on alternative method to install some Addons:

  • 'Tools' > 'Add-ons' or 'Menu icon' > 'Add-ons'
  • In the search type: MagicSLR
  • It will be located and there will be a button 'Install now'.
  • clickon that to do a quick easy install.
  • You will need to restart Thunderbird.

To add the 'Send Later' button to Composition toolbar.

  • Open a new 'Write' message.
  • 'View' > 'Toolbars' > select 'customise' to open customise window.
  • drag the 'Send Later' icon onto the toolbar next to the 'Send' button.
  • click on 'Done' to close the customise window.
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All Replies (4)

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If Thunderbird is in 'online' mode: In a new Write window (or when Reply/Forward), Thunderbird will auto display the 'Send' button.

If Thunderbird is in 'offline' mode: In a new Write window (or when Reply/Forward), Thunderbird will auto display the 'Send Later' button because it is not possible to Send now if offline mode is selected.

However, 'Send Later' can be selected even in 'online' mode from the Composition Toolbar.

  • 'File' > 'Send Later' or use keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + Return

There are a couple of add-on extensions that you may be interested in. Mail Merge. This will add a small arrow to right of 'Send' button with drop down options: Send, Send Later and Mail Merge. Mail Merge is an excellent option if you want to send one email to a group of people with the additional benefits of personalising each email. See Addon and more info here:

Send Later 4.4.1 Offers more options on specifying a time etc when you want to send the message. See Addon and more info here:

How to install an add-on extension: Download the addon *.xpi file to desktop or downloads folder. In Thunderbird:

  • 'Tools' > 'Add-ons' or 'Menu icon' > 'Add-ons'
  • click on the gear wheel icon and select; 'Install add-on from file'
  • locate the *.xpi file you downloaded and click on 'Open'
  • You will need to restart Thunderbird.

What is 'online' and 'offline'? If in 'online' mode: In the bottom left corner of the Status bar, you will see two blue screen icon. This tells you you are in 'online' mode. Thunderbird is connected and using the internet to facilitate receiving and sending mail. A single left click on that two blue screen icon will change the icon to two black screen icon - this is 'offline' mode. Although your computer may have internet connectivity, Thunderbird is no longer using the internet, so you cannot receive nor send mail. A single left click on that two black screen icon will change the icon back to two blue screen icon - this returns TB to 'online' mode.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Seçilmiş Həll

I've done a bit more searching for you and found this Addon extension: MagicSLR 4.0.1 MagicSLR extends functions and buttons to get and send messages. Many users missed a combined "Get/Send" button in Thunderbird. MagicSLR provides this button and more. You can then add a 'Send Later' button from the customising window.

Additional info on alternative method to install some Addons:

  • 'Tools' > 'Add-ons' or 'Menu icon' > 'Add-ons'
  • In the search type: MagicSLR
  • It will be located and there will be a button 'Install now'.
  • clickon that to do a quick easy install.
  • You will need to restart Thunderbird.

To add the 'Send Later' button to Composition toolbar.

  • Open a new 'Write' message.
  • 'View' > 'Toolbars' > select 'customise' to open customise window.
  • drag the 'Send Later' icon onto the toolbar next to the 'Send' button.
  • click on 'Done' to close the customise window.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Thanks Toad-Hall. I had already downloaded MagicSLR. It placed a send/retrieve button on Thunderbird's main-pane and I assumed that was that. When I checked your advice (write-pane: - view - toolbars - customise) I saw that MagicSLR had added a 'send' button to the icons there which was not available before. Just dragged it to where I wanted it and problem solved. Many, many thanks. I'm sure this hint will help many others. Arnold.

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That fixed it. You need to update your help so this could be found easily by others. I searched for send later button and nothing came up. Thanks again!!