Thunderbird

It would take up RAM but could be started minimized with the alerts you mentioned but would need to be closed manually when no longer needed.

I'm using version 1.5 of Thunderbird and this does have the option to display an alert when new mail arrives. I'm fairly sure it was there in earlier versions too, so I don't know why you wouldn't be seeing it. If you're not on this latest version, upgrading might solve that part. It's best to make a backup of your Thunderbird Profile (contains mailboxes etc) before carrying out upgrades, just to be on the safe side. I suggest using Mozbackup for the purpose.

An icon for Thunderbird can be put in the Systray using an extension called MinimizeToTray. For this to work how you want it to:-

* Download and install the extension (Right-click on the site's download link and choose 'Save link as'. When downloaded, drag the xpi file into Thunderbird's Extensions Window).

* Create a new shortcut to Thunderbird (or copy the existing one).

* Right-click on the shortcut and choose to run it 'Minimized'.

* Put the shortcut into the Windows Startup folder. Thunderbird will now start minimised when Windows starts. Since the 'MinimizeToTray' extension is in place, it will start minimised to an icon in the Systray, rather than minimised to the Taskbar.

* Open Thunderbird and go to: 'Tools > Account Settings > Server Settings'.

* Tick the box that says, 'Check for messages every .... minutes' and choose how frequently you want Thunderbird to check for messages. It goes down to a minute, so that should be often enough?

* Test it by sending yourself an e-mail or two. The alert when mail arrives should pop up even though only the Systray icon is showing.

It's worth noting that Thunderbird is still running minimised in effect and so taking up resources. Incredimail will have probably been doing that too.

Well, I did notice that I didn't have the most recent version of Thunderbird. I downloaded a version a few days ago thinking it was the most recent but it wasn't. Anyway, I downloaded the MinimizeToTray xpi and it works.

Thanks for your help!!!

Glad all is well

No matter what I do the "minimize" at startup function refuses to work. It always starts maximized.

I tried it at work with Outlook and it works great but...

it will not stay minimized.

Any suggestions.


Rick

the "Minimize" function work?

I followed your instructions for myself, also. I can never get a program to start minimized. It always starts maximized. I selected in the "Properties" menu to run in minimized. It still runs maximized.

Maybe not very wise words but I'll have a go

I just re-tested the extension and shortcut and tried to find a reason why it wouldn't behave as expected but it all seems OK. Just to go over things again. The Thunderbird shortcut that goes in the Windows Startup folder is set to run Thunderbird minimized.

Perhaps it's the extension's options that need setting:-

The 'MinimizeToTray' extension has three checkboxes in its Options. The top two are ticked. The topmost one says 'Always minimize to the tray instead of to the taskbar'. The next one down says 'Minimize to tray when closed'. Click OK if you had to change anything.

With all that set as above, close Thunderbird and restart Windows to test it.

do with Windows. I've tried to run other programs minimized by doing the very same thing but no matter what I select, maximized is all I get. Unless I happen to click the middle box at the upper left while a screen is maximized then exit. The next time I manually open that particular screen it will open the same as I left it.

There is something in Windows that isn't getting the message...to minimize. I don't have a clue what it is but it is something. Unless Billy added temperamental stubbornness in an update that was downloaded. That's how Windows is acting.

I don't know what to suggest for that. Maybe posting about the problem in the Windows forum would bring up an answer.

it. Somethings aren't so critical that if given enough thought I might happen upon an idea or, perhaps, an answer.

Thanks for your concern and willingness to help.