Hello there,

sonds more like a Windows problem. Can you poste a screenshot of your problem? This would help.

I don't know what happened but all of a sudden the shortcut icon disappeared of its own accord. So far it hasn't come back. However, as a new user there are a couple of other glitches I'd like to get sorted. 1. When I type the initial letter of a correspondent in the To box I get a list of correspondents that I last sent to. Then I have to scroll through them all to find the person I want. How can I prevent this? 2. There is a second To box which I find confusing. Can I hide it until I need to send blind copies? Thank you for your help.

re :2. There is a second To box which I find confusing. Can I hide it until I need to send blind copies?

Thunderbird auto sets a couple of lines (TO fields) for entering email addresses.

If you want a quick temporary fix on that new Write message, raise the dividing bar. Put the mouse cursor over the dividing line which is at the top of the compose area, but below the Subject and Formatting Bar (if using HTML). when in correct position, it will turn to a double headed arrow, left click and hold down to grab then drag upwards.

or you can do a permanent fix by editing the preferences in Config Editor. Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab or menu icon > Options > Options > Advanced > General tab

click on 'Config Editor' button it will tell you to be careful :)

In top search type: numRows look for this line:

• mail.compose.addresswidget.numRowsShownDefault; Value = 3

double click on the line to open a small editing window. Type: 2 (I do not recommend entering 1 because if you do want to add a second email address the first email address looks like it has disappeared as there is no scroll bar- it hasn't, but it is really confusing) click on OK close config Editor - top right X click on OK to save changes to Options. Close Thunderbird and wait a few moments for background proceses to complete. Open Thunderbird and click on 'Write'

This should help you.

re ;1. When I type the initial letter of a correspondent in the To box I get a list of correspondents that I last sent to. Then I have to scroll through them all to find the person I want. How can I prevent this?

Recent versions of autocomplete have seen some changes.

The autocomplete now searches on a 'Contains' instead of 'Begins with'. All matching results are presented with the most frequenty used email addresses set at the top.

So, entering just a letter may return a big search result as that letter may be 'contained' in any email address, Dispaly Name etc.

I can advise a couple of things: Do not just enter a letter eg: 'A' Enter more letters eg: 'Andy'

There is an addon extension which offers some useful extras called 'MorefunctionsforAddressBook' You could download it from here:

• https://nic-nac-project.org/~kaosmos/morecols-en.html

How to install an Addon info:

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-ons-and-extensions-faq#w_how-do-i-install-an-add-on

Then you can set a preference to force Thunderbird to use only Begins with which should return a smaller search and make it easier to locate email addresses.

'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab or Menu Icon > Options > Options > Advanced > General tab

click on 'Config Editor' button it will tell you to be careful :)

• In top search type: autocomplete

look for this line:

• morecols.autocomplete.match_just_beginning; Value = false

• double click on that line to toggle the 'False' to 'True'
• close config editor window - top tight X
• click on OK to save changes.
• Close Thunderbird and wait a few moments for background proceses to complete.
• Open Thunderbird.

On this occasion your additional queries have been offered a possible solution. However, in future, could you ask separate questions in their own question.

Reasons for this: If someone does a search, they will not locate these answers because they would not expect them in relation to the initial question. You are more likely to get responses from a wider set of the community who may be able to answer your query.

Sorry, I thought my questions were all linked. I now consider myself as having had a mild slap on the wrist! :) Your replies have been very helpful and my problems are now solved. Most grateful, thank you very much.