This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

modify about:config settings - scrolling through emails using keyboard and/or mouse

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by ineed2know

more options

I want to scroll through emails either by using the mousewheel or the keyboard up/down arrows such that the scrolling executes only a single line. What do I change and/or add to about:config for Thunderbird?

I want to scroll through emails either by using the mousewheel or the keyboard up/down arrows such that the scrolling executes only a single line. What do I change and/or add to about:config for Thunderbird?

All Replies (6)

more options

Those functionalities already exist. Keyboard: example: Use 'Tab' key to move about. Each time you press 'tab' it will place focus on the next tabbed item. when it highlightes the first email, then use the arrow keys to move up and down.

OR Go > Next > Message (hold down 'Alt' key then press G, N, M)


There are many keyboard shortcuts to help move around and select items or options.

more options

What I am referring to is being able to scroll through the email content (text body of the email) using the up/down cursor keys or the mousewheel advancing the scroll by a single line at a time. Not 3 or 5 or whatever lines at a time.

more options

You set the movement of the mouse controls in your mouse settings of the operating system.

more options

I do not find any mouse settings for setting the number of lines to be scrolled nor have I found any keyboard settings regarding scrolling.

One thing; which I believe should have been stated at the beginning of this thread, is that I am using Linux Xubuntu 14.04 LTS (Ubuntu based) OS. I will most likely attempt to ask similar query to Ubuntu about this.

I'm certain that there is or are modifications that I can manually make or add to about:config. It's been awhile since I did make changes. I don't remember where I got the info.

more options

The settings in Thunderbird refer to auto scrolling and smooth scrolling. You need to fix the mouse scrolling. Try this info: http://askubuntu.com/questions/160164/how-do-i-enable-middle-mouse-button-emulation-in-12-04-lts

more options

I wish to say thanks to all that have responded. However, if I remember correctly, there is a that modification to the about:config will produce the results for which I am looking for. So ... bye y'all.