This article explains how to set up a custom header for messages in Thunderbird.

What to Know

  • Go to Thunderbird > Preferences > General > Config Editor, then select I accept the risk to continue.Search for mail.compose.other.header and select it, then enter your custom header in the Enter string value dialog box and select OK.When composing a message, select the double arrows ( ») in the address field, then select your custom header.

Add a Custom Header to Email in Thunderbird

By default, Thunderbird uses standard email headers such as From, To, Cc, and Subject. If you’d like to create custom email headers, these become part of the list of available header options when you compose a new message.

Here’s how to add custom email headers:

  • Select Thunderbird > Preferences from the menu bar in Mozilla Thunderbird.
  • In the General category, scroll down and select Config Editor.
  • You’ll see a warning screen explaining that continuing may void your warranty. Select I accept the risk to continue.
  • In the search field, type mail.compose.other.header.
  • In the search results, double-click mail.compose.other.header.
  • In the Enter string value dialog box, enter your custom header and select OK.
  • Separate multiple headers with commas. For example, typing Sender:, X-Y: adds the Sender and X-Y headers.
  • Select the X to close out of about:config.
  • Select the X to close out of Preferences.
  • Select Write to start a new message.
  • Select the double arrow to access other types of addressing fields.
  • Select your custom header from the drop-down menu.
  • Your custom header is now included in the message.

What Is Thunderbird?

Thunderbird is a popular, full-featured, free email application from Mozilla. It offers many ways to customize your email experience, such as adding custom email headers. If you’d like to add personalized headers to your messages for tagging, tracking, marketing, or other purposes, Mozilla makes it easy.

Select Thunderbird > Preferences from the menu bar in Mozilla Thunderbird.

In the General category, scroll down and select Config Editor.

You’ll see a warning screen explaining that continuing may void your warranty. Select I accept the risk to continue.

In the search field, type mail.compose.other.header.

In the search results, double-click mail.compose.other.header.

In the Enter string value dialog box, enter your custom header and select OK.

Separate multiple headers with commas. For example, typing Sender:, X-Y: adds the Sender and X-Y headers.

Select the X to close out of about:config.

Select the X to close out of Preferences.

Select Write to start a new message.

Select the double arrow to access other types of addressing fields.

Select your custom header from the drop-down menu.

Your custom header is now included in the message.

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