Problems trying to un-ignore a thread
Hello! I accidentally hit 'K' with a thread selected, and so got a message at the bottom of the screen saying that replies to the thread will not be shown. This is the same situation as in the now-archived question [[Accidentally pressed "K" on an email - can no longer find it|https://support.mozilla.org/bm/questions/1380096]].
I'm now writing because I *was* able to select the option to display ignored threads described in the reply to the question above – so that I can, at least, now see the thread that I accidentally ignored without meaning to. But I'd like to actually fix the problem and un-ignore it.
I've read the support article on Ignoring Threads, but what that article describes – namely applying 'Ignore' to the same thread so that it toggles off to unignore the thread – isn't working. I also tried quitting Thunderbird entirely after doing that and then reopening it, but I can still only see the thread if 'view' is set to still display ignored threads; when I remove that view instruction, the thread disappears again.
Does anyone know if there's something else I should try? Or is this maybe a bug in Thunderbird that needs to be fixed? Thanks so much in advance!
All Replies (6)
What OS are you using ? Windows , MAC, Linux ? What version of Thunderbird are you using?
If set a thread as ignore, deliberately or accidently, it immediately sets a red circle icon in the thread column. If I move away from folder and then return I cannot see ignored thread to see the ignored threads do this:
- View > Threads > select 'ignored threads'
If ignored email is using sort by > 'unthreaded' OR is the top level thread in sort by 'threaded' view: In thread column, the email has the red circle denoting it is marked as an ignored thread.
- Right click on ignored email in list/thread pane and the drop down menu it will show 'ignore thread' with a tick.
- Left Click once on the ticked 'ignore thread' menu item.
- In thread column the red circle is removed and that item is no longer set as ignored.
If you use 'threaded' view, and ignored thread is a subthread: The expanded thread column icon will have a small red circle against the ignored sub thread.
- Right click on ignored email in list/thread pane and the drop down menu it will show 'ignore subthread' with a tick.
- Left Click once on the ticked 'ignored thread' menu item.
- In thread column the red circle is removed and that item is no longer set as ignored.
However, I have discovered a potential bug in 102.14.0 when it comes to an ignored subthread. When you right click on ignored subthread, the drop down list does not show a tick against the 'ignore subthread' item in list - but if you click on it once, the action works and removes the red circle from item.
Thanks so much for your reply! I'm using Mac OS 11.7.8 Big Sur, though I might update to Ventura soon; and Thunderbird 102.14.0.
I've indeed tried the method you're describing, and the issue I'm finding is that the thread is staying ignored (and the red circle is still there) even after I again select 'ignore thread' so that I'm trying to toggle it back to the thread NOT being ignored.
What happens if you select an ignored thread, now made visible, and press the W key (Watch Thread)?
Thanks for the suggestion! I just tried it (both the 'W' shortcut and also tried it from the 'Message' menu at the top, in case the shortcut wasn't working), but it doesn't seem to change anything – the red circle still shows, and the messages in the thread are only showing up if 'View Ignored Threads' is checked – when I uncheck it, they disappear again.
I think it may be necessary to create a bug report. I'm asking specific questions to fully understand exactly what is going on so I can give full info in the report. Could you answer each question for me even if it sounds like you've triedit before. Thanks.
Q: Please confirm you are using Thunderbird 102.14.0 Q: Is the folder which contains the email a 'Unified' folder or normal folder? Q:Does that folder have 'View' > 'Sort by' set as 'threaded' or 'unthreaded'?
Q:Please confirm the 'ignored' email is a top level email and not a subthread. Q:If you use 'threaded', does that email have threads? Is there a > indicating a collapsed thread? Q:If yes, it's threaded and collapsed, please expand the thread - is the 'ignored' email now shown as one of the subthreads or is it still the top level thread? If yes, it's now shown as a subthread - Q:When you right click on email to see drop down, does the 'ignore subthread' have a tick against it or not? Q:Regardless of whether 'ignore subthread' has a tick or not - click on 'ignore subthread' - does it remove the 'ignore' on email ?
Q:If 'threaded' try 'View' > 'Sort by' > 'unthreaded' and see if the drop down option to 'ignore thread' works. Please report on results.
Q:When you right click on email to see drop down, does the 'ignore thread' have a tick against it or not? Q:If it has a tick, click on it, then right click on email to see drop down again, does the tick still display or not?
Thanks for info.
What a timely coincidence! Today, I accidentally hot the "K" and a whole thread just disappeared, seemingly without trace. There was a message about a thread being ignored, but that was just before my screen went dead (an unrelated problem) and I had to power-cycle the machine. Eventually I found the way to show "ignored" items, but not how actually to fix the "ignored" status. So Toad-Hall's answer from yesterday morning was just in time for me - thank you very much!
It all happened because a nasty little "feature" of Thunderbird: the key combination to "unread" a message on Linux (and probably on Windows, too) is Alt-M, K, U. It's very easy to type Ctrl-M, K, U, instead. Now, Ctrl-M is harmless - just a shortcut for "write a new mail". But the subsequent K is a killer: I wanted to "unread" a message exactly because it was important and I wanted to to make sure I look at it again, instead I set an "ignore" flag! Bummer.