option for Thunderbird not jumping to next message in message list after clicking “Download the rest of the message”

[DioMedea]

I am using Thunderbird with the setting “Download headers only.” When I open a message and click “Download the rest of the message”, Thunderbird downloads the full message but then automatically jumps to the next email in the message list instead of displaying the email I just downloaded.

This is unexpected and disruptive because I want to stay on the message to read it.

I have tried adjusting the following settings, but the behavior does not change:

• Close message window/tab on move or delete

• Automatically mark messages as read

• Various navigation settings in Config Editor

None of these affect the behavior. It seems Thunderbird treats the “download the rest of the message” action as a navigation event.

Expected behavior: Thunderbird should stay on the current message after downloading the full content.

Actual behavior: Thunderbird jumps to the next message in the list immediately after the download completes.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Enable “Download headers only” for an IMAP account.

2. Open a message that has not been fully downloaded.

3. Click “Download the rest of the message.”

4. Thunderbird loads the message, then automatically moves to the next one.

Request: Please add a preference or fix so that Thunderbird does not auto‑advance after downloading the rest of a message.

[Jon]

Thanks for submitting an idea to the Mozilla Connect community! Your idea is now open to votes (aka kudos) and comments.