How to change default calendar for new events in Lightning

https://getsatisfaction.com/mozilla_messaging/topics/how_set_default_calendar_for_new_events_in_lightning

Edited version

Open Tools > Options > Advanced tab, and click Config Editor button.
In the "Filter:" box enter "calendar.registry"
Find a .calendar-main-default key - it will be set to true
Other calendars either won't have a .calendar-main-default key (or it will be set to false)
Right click on the value of the .calendar-main-default key that goes with the calendar that currently shows up by default in new events to toggle the value to false
Click on the .calendar-main-in-composite key that goes with the calendar you want as default
Right click on the same key and choose Copy Name from the menu that appears.
Now right click on the key again and select New > Boolean
Paste the name of the key and Use the backspace key to erase "in-composite" and type "default"
Click OK and Choose true and click OK
Now exit out of Thunderbird and restart

Comments

Senseq said…

If this is the way to change the default calendar. Best of luck in making thunderbird widely adopted.

June 13, 2014 at 12:24 AM

Anonymous said…

It worked perfectly.
Thanks.

December 5, 2014 at 6:35 AM

Unknown said…

There is a much easier way. Open the Lightning calendar tab. In the left pane uncheck all the calendars except the one you want to be your default. Then create an event (you can delete it later). Now go back and turn on all your other calendars. The calendar you just created the event with will now be your default calendar.

March 5, 2015 at 3:51 PM

Anonymous said…

Thanks a lot Josh. Works perfectly and muuuuch easier !

May 6, 2015 at 1:32 AM

GSystems said…

This comment has been removed by the author.

June 25, 2015 at 9:43 PM

GSystems said…

Seems that now you're just tasked with highlighting the calendar you want the event in then creating the event.

June 25, 2015 at 9:46 PM

Matt Studley said…

Excellent - thanks Josh, this works perfectly.

September 22, 2015 at 4:01 AM

Anonymous said…

Ok...what about a right click, set as default? WTF! Seems pretty basic!

September 30, 2015 at 7:11 PM

Anonymous said…

A mozilla.support.calendar list thread gives the answer:

> Switch to calendar or task tab. In the left panel you'll see a list
> of calendars. The selected calendar is the default calendar.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/mozilla.support.calendar/19mKLqtpKJU

October 30, 2015 at 12:52 AM

XTRAN guru said…

Joshua -- thanks! A couple of refinements:

FWIW, with Thunderbird 38.3.0 / Lightning 4.0.3.1, the box is labeled "Search:", not "Filter:".

To find the name of a "calendar-main-default" key's calendar, look for a ".name" key with the same hex value.

November 6, 2015 at 11:59 AM

matikp said…

Did anybody read cweiske's comment. It really is that simple!

December 16, 2015 at 7:16 AM

Unknown said…

To Josh Knoedler: I tried it without success, it is still the last added calendar that comes up as default for tasks.

Any clue?

rgds

March 12, 2018 at 2:18 AM

Pa said…

Thunderbird 52.5.0 32bit
Lightning 5.4.5

After I click the checkboxes to select the calendars I want to display, I then click on the name (not the checkbox) to highlight the one I want to be selected for new events.

Now, when I create an event, the highlighted calendar is the one used.

This selection survives an exit/startup sequence.

Apparently the hightlighted calendar is the default...

April 12, 2018 at 6:13 PM

Unknown said…

Upvote to Pa, whose instructions are absolutely essential to a satisfactory outcome!

December 19, 2018 at 10:37 PM

RJ said…

Bravo on coming up with a simple yet super effective fix.

January 28, 2019 at 3:09 PM

JKL said…

Thank you, much, Josh.

January 3, 2020 at 9:23 AM