[Tip] How to Access Hidden Secret “About:Config” Editor Page in Mozilla Thunderbird

Recently an AskVG reader asked us whether the popular desktop email client “Mozilla Thunderbird” contains the secret About:Config page similar to Mozilla Firefox web browser?

We all know Mozilla Firefox comes with hidden secret About:Config page which is an advanced configuration editor. It allows users to enable/disable features and tweak Firefox UI and functionality. There are so many preferences/flags available in about:config page which are not accessible via default Firefox Options (about:preferences) page. Firefox users frequently use the secret about:config page to turn on/off features.

Related: [Tip] Access Hidden Secret Configuration Page in Your Web Browser

Since Thunderbird is also developed by same company i.e. Mozilla which also develops Firefox, many people ask this question: Is there any hidden secret about:config page present in Mozilla Thunderbird like Mozilla Firefox?

The answer is YES. Mozilla Thunderbird also comes with secret about:config page which can be used to enable/disable features and tweak Thunderbird UI and functionality similar to Mozilla Firefox.

Following screenshot shows the secret about:config page opened in Mozilla Thunderbird program:

In Mozilla Firefox, we can easily access about:config page by typing the URL in address bar. But accessing about:config page in Mozilla Thunderbird is a little bit tricky.

If you also use Mozilla Thunderbird email client and want to launch and access about:config page, following steps will help you:

Open “About:Config” Page in Newer Versions of Mozilla Thunderbird:

1. Open Thunderbird and click on the Main Menu (3 horizontal lines) icon present at the extreme right corner of the toolbar. Now click on Preferences menu.

Alternatively, you can press ALT key to temporary show Menubar and then select “Tools -> Preferences” menu.

2. It’ll open Thunderbird Options window. Scroll down to bottom and click on the “Config Editor” button given at the bottom of the window.

It’ll open the hidden secret “about:config” page of Thunderbird.

Open “About:Config” Page in Older Versions of Mozilla Thunderbird:

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird and press ALT key on your keyboard to temporarily show Menu bar. Now select Tools -> Options.

Alternatively, you can click on 3-lines Hamburger menu present at the end of the toolbar and select Options -> Options.

It’ll open Thunderbird Options page.

2. Now click on Advanced tab in Options window.

3. Now in General tab, click on “Config Editor” button.

4. That’s it. It’ll open the secret about:config page. Thunderbird will show warning message “This might void your warranty!”. Click on “I accept the risk!” button.

Now you can modify desired preference according to your requirements.

You can double-click on a preference to change its value. You can also right-click on a preference to copy its name, value, etc.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Minimize Mozilla Thunderbird to System Tray on Close

[Fix] Extension could not be Installed Because It is not Compatible with Thunderbird