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Unable to turn on global search

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 24 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

drdavepier
drdavepier
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I have just installed thunderbird after getting a rebuilt computer from the IT folks. I cannot see the global search bar that I have used previously. After searching it seems that this should have been on by default but I can switch on the option in the settings under advanced -> general -> enable global search and indexer

Unfortunately this option is greyed out and I cannot click on the tickbox to select the option to turn on search

Can anyone help?

I have just installed thunderbird after getting a rebuilt computer from the IT folks. I cannot see the global search bar that I have used previously. After searching it seems that this should have been on by default but I can switch on the option in the settings under advanced -> general -> enable global search and indexer Unfortunately this option is greyed out and I cannot click on the tickbox to select the option to turn on search Can anyone help?

All Replies (3)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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I preume you can see emails listed but the global search function is not available. First see if you have any addons causing a conflict.

Restart Thunderbird in Safe mode.

  • Help > Restart with addons disabled.

Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab Is the 'enable global search and indexer' now available - not greyed out.

If available then select and click on OK however, this means there is an addon which is causing a conflict. So you will need to test by diabling addons and then enabling one at a time until you discover which one is causing the problem. Maybe the addon will need to be updated.


If restarting in Thunderbird Safe mode did not help.

If you have no backup then create one Backup your Profile folder http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup

Compact all folders. File > compact folders

Make hidden files and folders visible:

In thunderbird

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • click on 'show folder'

a new window opens showing Profile folder contents.

  • Close Thunderbird now.

Do you see either one or both of these files? If yes, then delete them.

  • global-messages-db.sqlite
  • global-messages-db.journal
  • close window - top right X
  • Open thunderbird.

Tools > Options > Advanced > General tab Is the 'enable global search and indexer' now available - not greyed out.

If 'enable global search and indexer' option is available

  • select the checkbox and click on OK

If still not available

  • click on 'Config Editor' button

In top search type: global look for these lines:

  • mailnews.database.global.indexer.enabled; Value = true
  • mailnews.database.global.logging.console; Value =true

What is the Value? Does it say 'true' or 'false'

  • If 'false', double click on each line to toggle the value from 'false' to 'true'

close config editor - top right X

Did this put a check in the 'enable global search and indexer' checkbox? click on OK to save changes.

drdavepier
drdavepier Question owner
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Thanks for the response. I went through all of this but unfortunately the mailnews.database.global.indexer.enabled; Value = true is set to false and will not toggle as its set to 'locked' even when I run as admin.

Could this be a setting put on there by my IT department? If so this is new as it worked 2 weeks ago before the computer rebuild

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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re: lockPref("mailnews.database.global.indexer.enabled", false); Yes, this is a setting that could be made by the IT department.

The usual reason is that Global search and indexing can use alot of disk space which might be an issue in a corporate environment.