Leave messages on the server for x days doesn't work
I have a problem with POP3 configuration. The e-mails don't delete from the server after setting up "leave messages on the server" and below "for 60 days". I want to automatically delete them after 60 days from the server. I've tried clicking "get mail" and reopen the program but it doesn't synchronize with a server, the messages still stuck on the server.
Thunderbird version is 52.7.0 / Windows 7 Home I add my configuration as an attachment.
Modified by mcotychy
All Replies (4)
Q: Do you keep all emails in the Inbox? Q: Do you use filters to auto move new incoming mail to other folders? Q: Do you manually move emails out of Inbox into other folders for organising?
Q: Is Inbox kept low in email numbers and only used as an inbox for incoming mail?
When you delete emails, they are 'marked as deleted' and hidden from view, but not actually deleted from the file. This is because you may delete in error and need to recover them. Compacting the folder will remove those 'marked as deleted' emails and reduce file size. Q: Have you emptied Junk and compacted Junk folder? Q: Have you compacted your folders to remove all marked as deleted emails? Right click on folder and select 'compact folder'. Empty the Deleted/Trash folder.
Click on 'Get Messages' to force access to server.
Logon to webmail account using a browser.
Q: What effect has this had on emails in webmail account.
Q: Do you keep all emails in the Inbox? Yes.
Q: Do you use filters to auto move new incoming mail to other folders? I don't use any filters.
Q: Do you manually move emails out of Inbox into other folders for organising? No.
Q: Is Inbox kept low in email numbers and only used as an inbox for incoming mail? I use it for sending messages too.
Q: Have you emptied Junk and compacted Junk folder? Q: Have you compacted your folders to remove all marked as deleted emails? I haven't deleted any emails.
Q: What effect has this had on emails in webmail account. Well, the old messages are still on the server.
The next thing is when I uncheck 'Leave the copy of the messages on the server' they got deleted but it doesn't solve my problem. I want to have some backup on the server.
Server Settings for the pop mail account all look correct.
re :The next thing is when I uncheck 'Leave the copy of the messages on the server' they got deleted That part worked correctly.
re :I want to have some backup on the server. Agree. I use it as a backup for a couple of months as well. But I do make periodic backups of the 'profile name' folder as well.
Suggest you try only selecting:
- 'Leave message on server'
- 'For at most 60 days'
Do not select the 'Until I delete them' for the moment, to see if this is causing a conflict.
I'm also wondering if the problem is because you have everything in the one 'Inbox'.
Enable the 'Folder Pane Columns' so you can see the size of that Inbox file.
- 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Layout' > select 'Folder Pane Columns'
- Then select the 'Size' column.
See image below.
Q: How big is that Inbox file ?
Is this pop GMAIL account ? They have some seriously weird ways of working :) If no, what is the server name you are using?
re: You keep all incoming and outgoing emails in the 'Inbox' and never delete anything.
The Inbox is designed to be an Inbox for incoming mail. It should not be used as a general store. Emails are not stored separately. The 'Inbox' folder in the 'Folder Pane' is actually an mbox text file. One simple text document. Each email is written to the file in the order it is downloaded. It is not healthy to keep absolutely everything in one single text document 'File' ( not 'Folder'). It is about as risky as you could get.
Suggest you allow 'Sent' emails to be stored in a 'Sent' folder. Suggest you create folders to organise emails, eg: 'Family', 'Friends', 'Organisation', or 'Online Orders' if you use eg: facebook create a folder for those emails. If you 'Reply' to an email then you can select to keep those emails in the folder that stores the email you replied to.
Allow/train Junk/Spam emails to go into the 'Junk' folder. Empty and Compact the Junk folder on a frequent basis.
Please seriously consider creating folders and move emails into those folders so that the Inbox really is used as an Inbox.
Do not select the 'Until I delete them' for the moment, to see if this is causing a conflict.
I unchecked this option but nothing happens.
You keep all incoming and outgoing emails in the 'Inbox' and never delete anything.
I don't have everything in 'Inbox'. I just meant I don't create additional folders like 'Office', 'Organisation'. Sent messages are stored in 'Sent' folder. In Inbox folder there are only received messages. I'm sorry for any misunderstandings.
Q: How big is that Inbox file ?
It's 500 MB. That's the reason why I don't want let messages stuck on the server for too long, because it will become full.
I am using nazwa.pl hosting server.
I have more than 100 accounts, each have a capacity of 500 MB. The accounts are used in different buildings, with another network provider and on different computers. Thunderbird configuration is the same for all of them. I am wondering why in some cases it synchronize and in some it doesn't.