We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

After folder repair I lost all messages in my inbox

  • 9 odgovori
  • 12 ima ovaj problem
  • 19 views
  • Posljednji odgovor poslao gritzle75

more options

Had a message not load when clicked so I decided to repair the folder, which I might do once or twice a year. Did the repair and when it was done in a second, all my messages in my inbox disappeared. I had around 190 in the inbox and now nothing. I do have a POP3 account and was able to see the messages online, but I need them in Thunderbird. Is there anyway to recover them or maybe re-start my computer to a previous day?

Had a message not load when clicked so I decided to repair the folder, which I might do once or twice a year. Did the repair and when it was done in a second, all my messages in my inbox disappeared. I had around 190 in the inbox and now nothing. I do have a POP3 account and was able to see the messages online, but I need them in Thunderbird. Is there anyway to recover them or maybe re-start my computer to a previous day?

All Replies (9)

more options

All the repair function does is rebuild the MSF file. Maybe TB didn't rebuild it correctly. If not you can try repairing again. Of just delete the MSF file while TB is closed, and TB will recreate next time you access your inbox. To do that:

  1. Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information, then click on Open Containing Folder. That will open Windows Explorer in your Thunderbird profile.
  2. Close Thunderbird.
  3. In your TB profile folder navigate to the folder that contains the folder for the account you're having trouble with. For example \hhvati19.default\Mail\pop.mail.yahoo.com\
  4. There should be two files for each mail folder - Inbox, Inbox.msf, Sent, Sent.msf. Delete Inbox.msf.
    Do not delete the files without extensions. Those contain your actual messages.
  5. Start Thunderbird, and open your Inbox.
more options

It just happened again in the JUNK folder. None of the messages would show in the preview so I decided to repair the junk folder and when done I lost over 2000 junk messages. Not a big deal, but it continues to happen on each folder that is repaired. I have two inbox.msf files, one for each account I have. I will try and let you know!

more options

That delete did not work. Had to remove the postdata.dat to recover the files.

more options

That file is a HTTP send file... are you using an add-on to get your mail? Or did you mean popstate.dat and you have actually re downloaded your mail?

more options

I first tried the inbox.msf file removal and that did nothing, so I removed the postdata.dat file and the messages returned, not all but most returned.

Not sure why this happens, but its the first time for me. Was it due to the last update? Don't want to deal with it again, so I hope not to have to repair any folders to prevent this from happening again. Having a business is tough enough, but then to lose all 190 messages that are in the inbox for a reason unknown is a PITA!

more options

Where did your delete this postdata.dat file from. I can't even find one in my profile.

more options

Well it happened again. Message was all garbled and I did the folder repair and again lost all my messages!! I searched for the postdata.dat and this time it was not there at all! What the heck is going on that I continue to lose messages after a folder repair and why can't I get them back this time! Might have to switch to another email client!! This stinks!

more options

The answer for someone else in my mail this morning else nortons quarantining their inbox.

more options

My Thunderbird files keep disappearing; file repair restores temporarily. This just started; I found a virus and had it removed so I am wondering if that caused it.

Under Local Folders I have: Trash Trash.msf Unssent Unsent.msf

Under Pop.verizon.net I have: Drafts Drafts.msf Inbox Inbox.mfs Sent Sent.mfs Trash Trash.mfs MsgFilterRules.dat PopState/dat

I don't understand why some of the folders are under the Pop.verizon.net and the others are under Local Folders.

I've never had this problem; I wonder if a systems restore would fix it

Izmjenjeno od strane gritzle75