How can I force Thunderbird to reset to default message sort order on all folders
I am trying to support aging in-laws who keep managing to mess up their email message sort order. I'd like to be able to reset their message sort order for all folders to Descending Date, Unthreaded, every time they start or restart Thunderbird so they don't keep running into problems.
I've already loaded an add-on that disables sorting by clicking on the columns, but somehow they're still managing to change the view. (All I can figure is they're accidentally mis-typing something and hitting the Alt-V, S and another letter to change the sort column and/or order.)
I've just been experimenting with a user.js file to set the default order, but this doesn't appear to have any effect once I've elected to change the sorted order via the UI. I've set mine to: user_pref("mailnews.default_sort_type",18); user_pref("mailnews.default_sort_order",2); user_pref("mailnews.default_view_flags",0); But when I change the message sort column and restart, it doesn't reset to the new defaults. I think this must only affect any new folder that hasn't been sorted manually yet.
All Replies (7)
I created a crude video on the topic, originally about setting to unthreaded, but it applies equally here. You need to - highlight a folder that has the correct settings - then follow the steps in the video, which shows selecting the rightmost icon in message list and scrolling down to click 'apply columns to.' and select folders and then account. click ok. - repeat for each account. Here is video https://davidkirk.org/SettingDefaultFolderView.mp4
Thanks, David, but asking them to go through steps to fix it is where we're at right now, and that's difficult for them. This happens enough that I'd prefer an automatic reset so every time they start Thunderbird it's set as it should be. --Bryan
This is a one-time process, done after you have set the config editor per your initial post. I also use the user.js when doing fresh install, as that sets the preferred default prior to adding folders.
Oh, okay, I tried that on my own Thunderbird install, setting sorted order to descending date, and after doing so, if I change the sort sequence of messages in a folder, exit Thunderbird and restart it, the order is not reset. So this doesn't seem to be the one-time fix I'm looking for.
Maybe I wasn't clear in my question. My in-laws regularly upset the fruit basket by ordering their messages accidentally in a way that is confusing to them. I want to prevent this from being an issue. I have already loaded an extension that prevents them from changing the sort order by clicking on a column heading accidentally, but they're somehow still changing the sort sequence.
I'd like to have something set up that every time they start Thunderbird, it resets their message sorted order in all folders to descending date order. Then when they do something accidental, they can just restart Thunderbird and it'll be reset.
Modified by blleaman
What you're wanting is a feature to ignore changes to settings. The simple way you might achieve that is to create a DOS (remember DOS?) BAT file that executes a copy command to copy a predefined profile to profile location and then invoke Thunderbird. Set an icon on desktop to run the BAT file and also rename Thunderbird's exe file so they can't bypass the BAT's process. Crude, and there may be better solutions. If I knew the exact file that held the customizations, I would advise to that. But I don't. Good luck.
A bit late to this thread, however I'd like to make an alternative suggestion that may be handy to others, which is to use an addon that essentially locks the panels so they can't be accidently changed.
You would need to contact a developer to do that. However, if the in-laws have their own accounts, I suggest creating a portable Thunderbird on same PC and set it up for their accounts. And put a primary password on yours. That lets them use their copy of Thunderbird without encroaching on your copy. That seems easiest solution for you.