How do I configure Thunderbird to send plain text emails by default?

Question

Title pretty much says it all. I want to tell Thunderbird to edit and send emails in plain text by default.

How do I do that?

score 42 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 09 '12 at 18:35

42

As @enzotib pointed out in the comment, this is set up in the Account Options, under "Composition and Addressing"

Thunderbird Tools -> Account Settings screenshot

Then Thunderbird will compose emails in plain text. To switch from plain text for one email to HTML, hold shift while you click on Reply, Forward, or compose and it will let you compose in HTML.

edited Dec 09 '12 at 18:35

Azendale

12,021

answered Feb 02 '12 at 15:54

David Oneill

12,614

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 24 '14 at 13:26

To stop Mozilla Thunderbird from asking you about the desired format when you compose a rich text message and click Send:

Select Tools - Options (or Thunderbird - Preferences ... on a Mac) from the menu.
Go to the Composition category.
Make sure the General tab is selected.
Click Send Options...
Under Text Format, make sure something like Ask me what to do is NOT selected.

I recommend Send the message in both plain text and HTML, which preserves any rich formatting while giving recipients a chance to choose a plain text alternative.

How do I configure Thunderbird to send plain text emails by default?

2 Answers2