How to Switch Between Online and Offline Modes in Thunderbird

One of the advantages of using a desktop email client is being able to go offline, over just accessing our email over the web. Being able to disconnect and purposely being offline for focus work, or when it is necessary due to unavailability or poor access to the internet, is one of the benefits of using an application like Thunderbird.

Below is a quick guide on how to toggle between online and offline modes in Thunderbird.

Switching Between Online and Offline Modes in Thunderbird

There are two methods to toggle or switch between online and offline modes.

Interface Method

1. At the bottom left of Thunderbird, look for the "Signal" icon. Clicking on the icon will toggle Thunderbird between Online and Offline modes.

2. If this is the first time that you are going offline, then the Signal icon would show an online status ( as shown in the image below ).

   
   

   
   
   

3. Click on the "Signal" icon to go Offline.

4. There will be a dialog box asking if you would like to download your emails before going offline. If you would like your emails to be available once you go offline, click on the button "Download Now".

   
   

   
   
   

5. You will see the download / sync progress on the bottom right of Thunderbird.

6. Once downloading is complete, the "Signal" icon will be grayed out and will have a slash in the middle to icon, meaning Thunderbird is now in offline mode.

   
   

   
   
   
   
   

Menu App Method

1. First, if you are unable to see the menu bar which should be below the search bar at the top of the application, you can press ALT to temporarily reveal the Application Menu bar.

2. If you are still unable to see the menu bar, you can enable it by clicking on the "hamburger" icon ( three horizontal lines ) on the top right of the app near the "Minimize" and "Close" buttons. Navigate to View > Toolbars and click to enable "Menu Bar".

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. From the Main Application Menu, navigate to File > Offline and you can toggle "Work Offline" from there.

   
   

   
   
   

Show File Name Extensions in Windows 11 File Explorer

By default, and as a consistent design decision going back to previous versions, the Windows 11 File Explorer hides file name extensions. Though it simplifies the interaction between a casual user and provides a cleaner user interface, there are advantages and most would like to have file name extensions to be shown. Being able to verify actual file name extensions gives users better recognition and control over their files, from being able to quickly spot disguised executables ( e.g. invitation.pdf.exe ) and avoid malicious software being run or installed on their machines, to having better control when working with different types of files, like when viewing files that have similar or the same names ( e.g. image.jpg and image.png ). Visual cues like icons are not as reliable as actually knowing the file name extensions of the files that we manage and work with.

Below are 2 ways to enable file name extensions to be shown in Windows 11 File Explorer.

View options in File Explorer ( Quickest Method )

1. Open File Explorer ( Windows Key + E )
2. On the toolbar, click on View -> Show -> File Name Extensions. File Name Extensions should have a checkmark after being selected or clicked.
   
3. Filename extensions should now be displayed and shown in File Explorer.
   

Folder Options ( Traditional Method )

1. Open File Explorer ( Windows Key + E )
2. Click the three-dot menu and select Options
   
3. In the Folder Options dialog, open the View tab
4. Under Advanced settings, look for and uncheck the setting for Hide extension for known file types.
   
5. Click Apply and then OK.