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Can I revert to the old Compose window layout?

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by firefox1181

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Thunderbird 78 introduced a "redesigned compose window".

For me this is not an improvement and makes the usability of the window much worse.

For example, adding a recipient via "CC" now requires you to press shift+tab five times to select "CC" and four times to select "BCC".

Furthermore, you can no longer change (for example) the "CC" list to "BCC" as you could previously; you have to create a whole new BCC line and cut/paste the recipient list.

Is there a way to revert to the previous compose window layout?

If not, how can I suggest to the developers that they add this as an option please?

Thunderbird 78 introduced a "redesigned compose window". For me this is not an improvement and makes the usability of the window much worse. For example, adding a recipient via "CC" now requires you to press shift+tab five times to select "CC" and four times to select "BCC". Furthermore, you can no longer change (for example) the "CC" list to "BCC" as you could previously; you have to create a whole new BCC line and cut/paste the recipient list. Is there a way to revert to the previous compose window layout? If not, how can I suggest to the developers that they add this as an option please?

All Replies (2)

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firefox1181 said

Is there a way to revert to the previous compose window layout?

No

If not, how can I suggest to the developers that they add this as an option please?

That was discussed before the new layout was released and discounted. SO I do not see that flying at all.

Note... Ctrl+A will select all in a line and a right click allow the move to BCC or CC from the menu. Likewise opening a BCC or CC is a single mouse click. Most people use a mouse these days, even if you do not.

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Matt said

Most people use a mouse these days, even if you do not.

That kind of response benefits no-one. There are so many rebuttals to that.

Thunderbird is an email client. What do you use when typing an email? A keyboard.

Thunderbird is also crammed full of keyboard shortcuts, some of which might be called superfluous.

So there's absolutely no logic in trying to argue away poor usability and the removal of useful functionality by saying "use your mouse".

Ultimately this change is style over substance and has made me feel a lot worse about Thunderbird.

(As an aside, this is precisely why Firefox's market share is in the garbage and Thunderbird will go exactly the same way.)