Thunderbird 3.1 Release Candidate 1 with Performance Improvements released

Mozilla has just released the first release candidate of Thunderbird 3.1 based on the Gecko 1.9.2 platform. If you’re currently testing Thunderbird 3.1 then check for updates at Help -> Check for updates or download Thunderbird 3.1 RC 1 directly from the Mozilla web site. Thunderbird 3.1 RC 1 comes with improved performance to stability, memory usage, and password handling, web compatibility and sustainability.

Most of the new features in this release where already present in Thunderbird 3.1 beta 2 and have been treated here at Kabatology such as the Quick Filter Toolbar that has added contact, tag, attachment support, and the ability to pin a filter even as you switch folders, the Migration Assistant, the Saved Files Manager that can be launched with Ctrl+J (it displays all the files you downloaded from your email to your computer) and the Mail Account Setup Wizard – that greatly simplifies the setting up of a new mail account. All you need to provide is your name, email, and password.

Thunderbird 3.1 RC 1 is a free Download for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X platforms.

The new quick filter bar has added contact, tag, and attachment support, as well as the ability to pin a filter even as you switch folders. A far more minor tweak, folders with new messages are now highlighted by default in blue, instead of black.

Filters set in Thunderbird’s new Quick Filter can be taken across folders with the pin button.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)

The numerous bug-fixes include preventing specific, popular add-ons such as Gmail Conversation View from crashing the e-mail client, saving drafts when written in offline mode, and several critical stability fixes.