Thunderbird: Option to disable tabs

[blablabla]

I want my mail client to only have one tab, if i switch to another view, i can go back there by normally opening it again. Sure, some people will see this differently, so i think it would be good, to have an option to disable tabs.

[Toad-Hall]

I agree people have preferences. There is no need to get upset when people point out that it's not that simple as it effects countless other aspects that have not been discussed or considered and it's not nonsense.

It may be more helpful if further comments could be expanded such as exactly which options to open in a tab are desirable and which are not.

[ATOdinson]

I hate the tabs.  I also wish I could have the calendar open as a separate window, instead of those awful tabs. 

[vocko]

I can see that people have different opinions. I would like the bar on the left would sort of jump between workspaces - if I'm in the mail, I will see opened tabs related to my mail, if I'm in the calendar, I would only see the tabs related to the calendar.

If I don't want to use tabs, switching items on the left bar would just change the content of the main area.

I agree that having a tab for a mail and another one for a calendar (contacts, ...) is just a duplication as I already have these "tabs" on the left bar.

[R0m4nAs3]

Hi there,

HNY everyone. I appreciate to "deactivate" tabs, too. With a clean modern config (see screenshot), the tabs consumed space can be used better. Also to mention, that switching between spaces is possible by STRG+Num (Meta+Num on Mac) and spaces bar on the left. So no need for tabs here anyway.

TB115_without_tabs

When disabling the tab bar TB115 gets a very clean looking modern interface, but in the background tabs will still be used and kept open. So TB will be more memory consuming as expected by the time running as hidden tabs will stay open even after restarting the app. Therefor I appreciate to disable tabs for messages etc. pp. Tabs for spaces may kept open for performance reason, so general content must not be reloaded each time switching to it's space.

Cheers,
R0m4nAs3

[R0m4nAs3]

Update: After some research to the default key bindings it's also worth to mention, if you close each newly opened tab with CTRL+W (Meta+W on Mac) you will keep TB clean of hidden tabs. Closing the last opened tab will also close the app.

So if you want to start over with a fresh TB without tabs, just close all tabs with the CTRL+W, then open the spaces in its order from top to bottom. This will make the opened tab order the same as the space order and you can cycle through all spaces with CTRL+TAB in the same order you're expecting.

After you've done so far, just close each new tab, e.g. settings, a specific email aso. with CTRL+W to keep TB tabs clean.

I know, it's just a workaround, but in the meantime, as long as discussion and decision are ongoing, this may sweeten your day.

Cheers,
R0m4nAs3

[cr3atura]

would be great! I currently have Thunderbird but I never use it because of how awkward and ugly the tabs are to scroll and open. it would have a more modern UI!

[fjardim]

+1 Any news on this? Tabs make no sense now.

[jadeia]

+1 Kudos to be able to disable tabs as a preference, thanks.

[bad_note]

The awesome new interface is cluttered by tabs opening - please allow the option to have no tabs. Maybe a key binding - hold ctrl or alt down when clicking the left bar could force the selection to open in tabs for those who want it or the rare instance it might be useful?

I've never had the need for tabs in email regardless of client.

[jadeia]

The "no tabs" extension obviously takes care of this, but again it should be a native option: https://github.com/emorris00/thunderbird-no-tabs

[jadeia]

There is an extension which removes the tabs: https://github.com/emorris00/thunderbird-no-tabs

It works really well, obviously having this as a native option would make it easier, which is why I support adding it.

[dim0n]

Hello everybody, also have a suggestion about tabs options and if I can ask to have an ability to upgrade guy to like what is on pic (did it in $$ paint 😁), also if it possible to make another, little bit lighter dark theme, it will be gorgeous 😉. Thx a lot

[jsbax15]

This is the one thing keeping me from using Thunderbird right now. Would love an option to disable the tabs interface, and just navigate with the sidebars!

[Jon]

(Note: similar ideas have been merged into this thread)

[DasEvoli]

I agree and also wish that an option gets implemented to remove the tabs. The current solution feels and looks very outdated and it is honestly not needed anymore.