I have not used Thunderbird in several years in favor of Windows Live Mail, but there is an interesting discussion at https://getsatisfaction.com/mozilla_messaging/topics/how_to_switch_off_preview_pane_in_thunderbird_17 It looks like it might be necessary to install an add in to accomplish this, which sounds completely bizarre! At one time, this could be done, but I remember having to press Control W to close the message window rather than just pressing escape. -----Original Message----- From: real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:real-eyes-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mitchell Lynn Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 3:09 PM To: Real-Eyes Subject: [real-eyes] Thunderbird Configuration Anyone here know if it is possible to force Thunderbird ***never*** to show the message viewer or the quick filter. I keep turning them off, but they return. No lock the toolbars options that I saw. Of the two, the message viewer is the more important. It's gotta go. To subscribe or to leave the list, or to set other subscription options, go to www.freelists.org/list/real-eyes To subscribe or to leave the list, or to set other subscription options, go to www.freelists.org/list/real-eyes