Lets start at the very beginning here just for clarity.

V98 does not exist. V97 is at the daily build stage and is experimantal. V96 is in Beta V91 is the release version.

My guess is you are using V91 as it is the first to not have an options menu item in windows. It was renamed preferences. The next major release will also be renaming it (I have no idea why) when it will be settings

My understanding is they are going to try and merge account settings and program setting in that version somehow. So it might be interesting (messy)

Thank you, Matt. I apologize; I didn't double-check. I did NOT mean V98. When the program loads, it tells me I have the beta version. I also don't know the "name" of the toolbar to which I'm referring; it's the one at the very top of the screen that starts "File, Edit, View . . . ." If you know the correct name, please tell me! On the Thunderbird version I am now using, there is no "Preferences" choice in that toolbar. either. I normally use "Options" very frequently, especially for requesting a return receipt and also to send a copy to myself (but to do that, I can also use "BCC," and often do.) I would add that my "old computer" on which I had the problem with the update still has "Options" in that toolbar, although if I'm understanding you correctly, that's not inconceivable, since it was being updated. as opposed to being entered from scratch? Should I try to load an earlier version, and if so, how? I am being assisted by a computer tech with whom I've been working happily for many years, but this part I did myself, which I try to do for anything I believe I understand! He knows infinitely more about computer technology, but I am more familiar with Thunderbird, so I'm more likely to notice when things have changed! BTW, we loaded Windows 11 on this computer, but that appear to be completely irrelevant to this issue.

Thank you, Matt. I apologize; I didn't double-check. I did NOT mean V98. When the program loads, it tells me I have the beta version. I also don't know the "name" of the toolbar to which I'm referring; it's the one at the very top of the screen that starts "File, Edit, View . . . ." If you know the correct name, please tell me!

Menu bar. Right click the bar with the get message and select menu bar to toggle it on and off. The default singe about V30 is off. I have mine on.

On the Thunderbird version I am now using, there is no "Preferences" choice in that toolbar. Perhaps the change to Settings has made it to beta. I don't can a copy to look at. As it will never make in to release beta does not really interest me much. I normally use "Options" very frequently, especially for requesting a return receipt and also to send a copy to myself (but to do that, I can also use "BCC," and often do.)

That is in the compose window. Same advise applies except you right click the row with send on it to turn the menu bar back on.

I would add that my "old computer" on which I had the problem with the update still has "Options" in that toolbar, although if I'm understanding you correctly, that's not inconceivable, since it was being updated.

I assumed that you were working in the three pane default windows and could not find the renamed item. It is what is hot in "I can't find it" right now.

Note: only related to your receipt requests While you changing things, when you right click the compose toolbar (the one with send) select customize and drag the receipt item to the toolbar. Then you can just click that to request receipts, I think a single click will be faster.

Thank you, Matt. I was trying to avoid telling you too much, but I'm very familiar with "Customize" because I had to do it in the Menu toolbar--in this version (which is 96.0 beta 2; I checked in Settings) there were very few items in the Menu toolbar, and I added many more. I had a few problems with doing this, also, but there is a workaround. I actually would like to tell you about this other problem, because I found unsolved question from another user which was similar to mine re customization, and I need to know where to report it. However, for the problem I've been discussing with you re "Options/Preferences," I'm still coming up empty. "Return Receipt" and "Send another copy to" are NOT in the Settings menu, nor are there choices for these options under "Customize." I had already checked out this possibility before I wrote requesting help.

Re the panes, I've never touched that setting, and am actually not sure what is does, but I'm assuming I have the default.

One other thing re the toolbar in question, nothing says "Compose," just "Write" I think several versions ago, it used to be "Compose," because it sounds familiar. I probably used close to the first version of Thunderbird, because I started using it immediately (i.e.; probably the next day) after Netscape was finally discontinued; I held out until the end!

You have made many good suggestions that I now think may not have panned out because of the version being in beta. Up until I wrote you and received the suggestions, I was quite sure I was just doing something wrong. Are you one of the developers or just a super nice guy who helps people with questions? I would like to request that some of the functions previously under options be included in upcoming versions. What's the best way for me to do this?

Thank you again! I would like to address the other question, but not tonight. I have to get some non-computer jobs done! Of course, if you have additional suggestions on this problem, I'll check using them when I receive them . I just don't want to work on another problem tonight, and you might like a break, too!