Try windows safe mode with networking and see if remote content appears in that mode.

see http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7

I am unable to start Windows 7 in Safe Mode. I have tried a number of times, pressing and holding the F8 key before the Windows logo appears, as Windows starts. Windows does a complete load. Just received an email with remote content. Problem as described in the original question still exists.

Was able to load Windows in Safe Mode by pressing and holding F1 then F8. Then loaded Windows in safe mode with networking, but had no effect; no remote content in email and no "Show Remote Content" button. It was suggested the body of the email is "Plain Text" and the remote content is "HTML", so I checked the setting in "View" - "Message Body As" - "Original HTML" was togged on.

I still have the problem indicated in the posts above. Is there anyone out there with a solution to the problem of remote content not showing.

I also have this problem. Email that displayed correctly no longer has pictures. Have tried solutions posted under different headings but no change. I to am running Windows 7 problem not there on Windows 8 PC.

The issue is often caused by anti virus programs and other security software blocking Thunderbird from getting the remote images. The get for images uses a web port usually and some security software do not see Thunderbird as a browser and block it from that access.