Thunderbird does not set this setting. Windows remembers the keyboard layout setting per application. close all other applications including your browser. Thunderbird must be the only app running and visible.

Make sure that you have the Language bar visible on the Windows Taskbar You can do that via the right-click context menu of the Taskbar: Toolbars > Language Bar

If Language bar is not listed in 'toolbars' then look at some info here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/language-bar-missing-from-taskbar/bbff6b32-e4f6-4237-b4d3-255a067c2bf2?auth=1

then click on the Thunderbird window, so it has focus, Look at the keyboard language (keyboard layout) setting now that Thunderbird application has focus via the icon on the Language bar.

You may find that your computer has not got Thunderbird selected to use US. Adjust the setting to use US.

HI Toad Hall,

I appreciate the time you took to respond but as I said in the OP, I have already tried that.

OK, I have it fixed. Windows just needs a little persuading to co-operate.

1) Start composing an email - notice wrong layout 2) Switch keyboard to UK (in my case) i.e. wrong layout 3) Type a at-sign to test that it is still wrong 4) Change back to US (or your correct) keyboard 5) Smile in relief

So, you are saying that your computer says the Language in the toolbar is set to use US for Thunderbird when you select Thunderbird and look at how the Language setting appears.

Sorry, I seemed to be repeating information you already tried, but you would be surprised (or maybe not) by how many people do not always follow instructions explicitly.

I presume you are using the English (US) language version of thunderbird. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Are you saying that the keyboard works perfectly ok as 'US' in all other applications that you use, such as MS Word, Notepad?

Hi Toad-y,

Yes , that is correct. Anyway it's fixed now - see method I posted above. I guess out posts crossed on the wire.

Thx for helping along..