A long time ago Thunderbird had a plugin that blocked any message from being opened when the one viewed is deleted. It stopped working when the next update of Thunderbird came out, and I cannot remember it's name.

The current version usually leaves a blank window when I delete, but sometimes will open a previously unread message. I normally delete spam before starting to read. If I have missed deleting a spam message it can be opened without clicking on it.

Recently I got stung by a sleeper. The messages were sent to addresses that have not been in the address book, and with a From name that has not been used for weeks. I have no idea when or how it was activated. Possibly one of the auto-opens.

How do I prevent Thunderbird from automatically opening *any* messages?

TIA
Jim

Any message, I'm not sure but you can use the message filters (in the Tool menu) to block, delete, whatever messages from a given address (and other ways). You can also right-click on a message and delete it without opening (or mark it as spam and the like). You can also, in Preferences, tell it to fetch headers only (which may help).

Seems like the rules is you click it, it's gonna open.

I seem to remember that add-on too but the name is lost in the mists of time, sigh.

Hope this helps some.

The filters only work if you know something about the message.
I usually do right-click, delete, but occasionally a new message is opened as a result. I use the control key to allow selection of all that I want to get rid of, but sometimes I miss one.

Another reason to block automatic opening is privacy. If someone is with you, you may not want them to see what pops up.

Which version of TB? I'm running 3.1.10 with the closeTabOnX Add-on downloaded from http://www.flamber.dk/thunderbird/closeTabOnX/ and it behaves as you would like.

I was using 3.1.10, but I've just installed 5.0, and it behaves nicely without an add-on. No message is opened after a delete, whether the deleted message is between previously read messages or unread messages.

I didn't realise I was so far behind!