Change Thunderbird Account Order
I am a heavy e-mail user (aren’t we all) and depend on a solid IMAP client to get the job done. For the past 2 years or so I’ve been a Thunderbird guy. The Mozilla folks recently released Thunderbird 2.0, and I have been spending some time doing reconfiguration.
One task I needed to complete was re-arrange the order under which accounts appear in the folders. Here’s how to accomplish this:
- Find your prefs.js file in your profile folder (C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\ for XP users)
- Locate the mail.accountmanager.accounts property and modify it accordingly. Each account is represented by a string (eg. account2, account 3, etc). Simply re-order the strings to update the order in which they will appear
Have fun!
Hrm.
It doesn’t seem to work for me; I attempted this on my Linux system and was greeted with the same account order. Does this still work for you for version 2.0.0.6 of Thunderbird?
I have three accounts listed on that preferences line, and I have tried them in every which way, to no avail.
Due to compatiblity issues with my IMAP server, I downgraded to 1.x, so I cannot verify on 2.0.0.6.
Nonetheless, I remember there were multiple instances of prefs.js existed in my various profile folders, and I chose the wrong file at first. That may or may not help you though
Anyone else?
dave
The best solution so far I have found.
I added a few steps to make it easier, for the novice.
it is easier to get to prefs.js by:
Clicking HELP and then about:config
to make reordering easier and predictable I added this step:
To help figure out what account is what number: change the default to account1, and manke sure the rest of the accounts are in numerical order. save. reopen tbird now you know which account corresponds to what number.
Thanks for your clear explanation.
Steve
Keep in mind that account is always on top.
I confirmed that it works with 2.0.0.16 (Windows XP).
Go to Tools->Options->Advanced->General->Config Editor
This brings you to about:config mentioned above and will let you edit the prefs.js directly. Exit TBird (CTRL-Q) and restart.
I found that with Thunderbird 2.xxxxx, the default account is always listed first. Under ‘Account Settings,’ at the bottom of the left side of the panel will be a button “set as default.” Select the account you want on top, and click this button. This account will now be on top. I only have 2 accounts, so I do not know if repeating this sequence will set the order for 3 or more accounts.
Hi! works great!
PS.: not so outta topic but: I wonder if there is a way add a separator to, (worst, I just created an account named “——–” ugly but helps a bit) or hide (or collapse, something to put away unused/disabled) old accounts that I dont use anymore, that I still have old emails that I dont want to loose access in a orderly manner (I dont want to move all stuff to local folders either…).