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How to set Start Page to the latest viewed email when closed upon re-opening Thunderbird

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Is there any way to set Start Page to the latest viewed email upon re-opening Thunderbird instead of the marketing splash screen or blank page?

Is there any way to set Start Page to the latest viewed email upon re-opening Thunderbird instead of the marketing splash screen or blank page?

All Replies (8)

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Hi, I don't believe this is possible by default. However, the Auto Select Latest Message add-on might enable you to do so.

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Thanks - Looks interesting but not quite right.

I would like it to open in the state in which it was when closed like many apps do.

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I work with a number of email clients and I don't recall that feature in any of them. As Tom said, that feature is not here.

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Check the earliest version of Thunderbird. And perhaps have a look at Outlook. Anyway - I have submitted a feature request to have Thunderbird re-open in the state it was closed which is the way many apps work. Easier for the user to begin where they left off when Thunderbird was closed instead of a marketing screen which has no real use for a seasoned user of Thunderbird

Modified by selfsimilar01

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Thunderbird will remember the last 'folder' selected as it is saved in the session file.

If you had Inbox selected when you exit, then it will open showing contents of Inbox when you next restart Thunderbird.

Of course this assumes you do not have some cleanup software which is deleting your session files. If you run any type of cleanup software like CCleaner or WiseCleaner or even some Anti-Virus can do it; it is important hat you do not allow it anywhere near Thunderbird profile folders or their contents. So Thundrebird profile folder should be made exempt.

The 'Message Pane' can display the Thunderbird default start page or not, in which case it is blank. The setting is here:

  • Menu icon > Preferences / Settings > General
  • Thunderbird start up page.
  • Select or uncheck checkbox as required.

Upon startup, Thunderbird does not automatically open any email in the 'Message Pane'. If the start up page is unchecked in Preferences/Settings then assuming the 'Message Pane' is auto enabled then it will be blank because nothing has been auto opened. I would be concerned if emails were auto opened in a Message Pane as it could be deemed as a security issue.

Note: Thunderbird will remember what tabs are open and which tab is selected as it is saved in the session file.

If Message Pane is auto disabled by choice and user typically opens emails in new tabs, then any tabs left open upon exiting Thunderbird should be visible when restarting Thunderbird. OR if user does have the Message Pane enabled - but if the user selects to open an email in a tab and it is selected when you exit then it will open and be selected when you restart.

Option available in Thunderbird IF you really want the last email you opened to be visible to read immediately when you restart Thunderbird, then you need to open emails in a tab and have that tab selected when you exit Thunderbird.


re:I would like it to open in the state in which it was when closed like many apps do. I've never come across any apps auto opening unselected documents or emails. If I open a program - eg: OpenOffice Writer - it offers a new blank page - it does not auto open the last document I closed. Programs only open displaying a document, image, email etc if that document, image, email etc was selected to open to view and the computer auto uses a specific program determined by the extension of the document and selected default programs.

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Thank you.

Not using any unusual or cleanup software

I have unchecked Start page so it is blank

Many apps open in the state they were closed. Komodo and Notepad++ are but two of many examples that re-open to the state they were closed

Seems strange to think that opening an app to it last state would be a security issue. If that were an issue then opening in a tab would be a security issue too. The security issue would most likely arise from the user leaving a machine unsecure so any app on it can be explored

Modified by selfsimilar01

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I have Notepad++ If all tabs were closed in Notepad++ and then you close Notepad++, upon opening it does not decide to locate and open the last document. It will open displaying any tabs that were left open/had not been closed when Notepad++ was last closed - which is identical to Thunderbird.

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Interesting. I have been using Notepad++ daily almost since it was first released.

It remembers the last closed state. If there was no open file then no file is displayed in a tab.

I open it each day and it opens to the last closed state and indeed to the tab last opened AND the point on the page I last highlighted is still highlighted taking me to the last operation on that page executed if it was a highlight.

An equivalent in Thunderbird would be to open to the last account used (equivalent to a Notepad++ tab) and the last email in that account viewed (equivalent to a highlight).

Cheers

Modified by selfsimilar01