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New messages number remains upon TB icon on taskbar after messages read

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  • Last reply by tamjk
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I'm on Thunderbird version 140.9.0esr at present.

Machine: Dell Inspiron 15 Series laptop

Monitor: Viewsonic 27"

System: Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS

RAM: 16 GB

For the last 2 versions of Thunderbird, I have seen that even after reading the new messages, the green new messages indicator remains on the TB icon in the taskbar.

Refer to screenshot.

It should of course disappear as soon as the new messages are all opened. Otherwise one thinks that there is an unread message somewhere among the mail folders, even though on checking there is not.

This remains so until TB is closed and re-opened. After re-opening the green circled number is gone.

Of course, this is more a nuisance than a serious problem.

But it would be nice to have it sorted by the next version.

I'm on Thunderbird version 140.9.0esr at present. Machine: Dell Inspiron 15 Series laptop Monitor: Viewsonic 27" System: Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS RAM: 16 GB For the last 2 versions of Thunderbird, I have seen that even after reading the new messages, the green new messages indicator remains on the TB icon in the taskbar. Refer to screenshot. It should of course disappear as soon as the new messages are all opened. Otherwise one thinks that there is an unread message somewhere among the mail folders, even though on checking there is not. This remains so until TB is closed and re-opened. After re-opening the green circled number is gone. Of course, this is more a nuisance than a serious problem. But it would be nice to have it sorted by the next version.
Attached screenshots

All Replies (4)

I don't know what effect this would have for you, but there is a setting found in <Settings | General | Incoming Mails | Change preferences for the app icon | App Icon Options button> where you can choose between "Count of unread messages" and "Count of new messages". Does changing that setting give you what you're looking for?

Lin,

The Settings option you refer to no longer exists on TB 140.9.0esr - if it ever existed.

But I doubt if it would make any difference anyway.

You're right, those settings are in Windows but not in Linux Mint or Ubuntu, although there are similar system settings in Mint but not Ubuntu. I tried it with Ubuntu 24 and Thunderbird 140.8.0esr and it works the way you describe. Then I let it update to Thunderbird 140.9.0esr and it appears to work the way you want.

I also noticed that if you have another device like another computer or a phone checking that mailbox, that can throw the new message count off in Thunderbird.

I'm thinking this more an Ubuntu thing than a Thunderbird thing, or a combination of both. If you think this is a bug, this article talks about how to report it:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/file-bug-report-or-feature-request-mozilla

Lin,

I've posted this bug on TB Bugzilla.

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