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.

Avatar for Username

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

Le thread ibilondoloziwe. Nceda ubuze umbuzo omtsha ukuba ufuna uncedo.

Disabling "Compose messages in HTML format" doesn't work

  • 2 iimpendulo
  • 4 inale ngxaki
  • 22 views
  • Impendulo yokugqibela ngu mgmi

mgmi
mgmi
more options

Hello.

I've taken off the check mark for "Compose messages in HTML format" in Account settings's Composition & Addressing but when I click "Reply" button to messages, I still get the original message in HTML format and I see the toolbar to format the message.

I found that if I press "Reply" button while pressing Shift key makes it plain text but I always want to reply in plain text.

How do I change the default settings?

I'm using Thunderbird 24.5.0 on OS X 109.3.

Hello. I've taken off the check mark for "Compose messages in HTML format" in Account settings's Composition & Addressing but when I click "Reply" button to messages, I still get the original message in HTML format and I see the toolbar to format the message. I found that if I press "Reply" button while pressing Shift key makes it plain text but I always want to reply in plain text. How do I change the default settings? I'm using Thunderbird 24.5.0 on OS X 109.3.

Isisombulu esikhethiweyo

Check settings: Thunderbird > Preferences > Advanced > General tab click on 'Config Editor' it will say be carefult :)

in top search type: compose

look for:

  • mail.identity.id1.compose_html

where the .id1. is the account This setting should have been changed to 'false' when you unchecked "Compose messages in HTML format" in Account Settings.

To enforce Plain Text as default, look for these lines. If the Value = 'true', then double click on the line to toggle to 'False'

  • mail.html_compose
  • mail.identity.default.compose_html

Close window - top right X click on OK to save chnages to Preferences.

Close and reopen Thunderbird.

Funda le mpendulo kwimeko leyo 👍 2

All Replies (2)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Isisombululo esiKhethiweyo

Check settings: Thunderbird > Preferences > Advanced > General tab click on 'Config Editor' it will say be carefult :)

in top search type: compose

look for:

  • mail.identity.id1.compose_html

where the .id1. is the account This setting should have been changed to 'false' when you unchecked "Compose messages in HTML format" in Account Settings.

To enforce Plain Text as default, look for these lines. If the Value = 'true', then double click on the line to toggle to 'False'

  • mail.html_compose
  • mail.identity.default.compose_html

Close window - top right X click on OK to save chnages to Preferences.

Close and reopen Thunderbird.

Ilungisiwe ngu Toad-Hall

mgmi
mgmi Umnini wombuzo
more options

Hi Toad-Hall!

Thank you for your prompt response. I changed both of my accounts' "mail.identity.id1.compose_html" to false as well as "mail.html_compose" and "mail.identity.default.compose_html". Then the reply message won't be HTML format any more.

I had no idea it's hidden in a place where non-tech people won't touch. Even if I did, I would have been scared to open when I see the "be careful" message.

Thank you for your help!