In Thunderbird, you write a message in its own window. It's the same window for a new message, a reply, or forwarding an existing message. Let's call it the ''Composition Window'', since it is where you compose your messages. IMHO, you ''need'' a toolbar in this composition window. I think it's a big flaw in Thunderbird that this window can appear without a menu or toolbar. Start a new message, or start a reply to get this window to appear. Then use the '''F10''' or '''alt''' key to make a menu appear. In this menu, go to '''View|Toolbars''' and tick the '''Menu Bar''' checkbox. Then you can go back to this menu drop-down via the menu and tick the all the other toolbar options. Sometimes, trying to follow instructions like these seems to defeat some users. If desperate, you can use control+enter to send a message, even if the composition window has no menu or toolbar.