The simplest way is to omit the password during setup. Although the box is there to insert it, the account will be successfully created if the server settings are correct. You can then untick boxes in server settings to check for messages, or make other preferences as desired prior to entering password.

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to work. You are right that without password entry on account creation, account is indeed been created. But, auto download of messages begins.

Before starting this topic, last days, I am on my testing machine (PC) with Ubuntu Thunderbird, creating a couple of profiles, and making some test with creating a gmail account on 2 of the profiles. I created this account on these two profiles by entering both username+password. So, now, with your piece of advice: -I removed gmail account from these two profiles -I created the account only on the one profile without entering password

So, after this, server settings (incoming and outgoing) are setup correctly, but unfortunately auto download begins. I think that password is somewhere stored on Thunderbird from the past days, is read from there, and download starts.

Another strange thing now is that, although auto download starts, only inbox folder is coming, and not with all messages. I go to my Gmail account via web browser, and all folders are there working correctly. I do not know why only inbox is downloaded. But this is the less important.

I have my backup on other PC, and on web browser everything is there. The problem is where password is being read from Thunderbird (if this is the problem) although I do not enter it.

If messages are downloading, the password is there. This may help: - click to settings>privacy&security - click 'saved passwords' and then 'show passwords' - highlight rows for all accounts and delete them. That should remove passwords.

I have another gmail account on specific profile.

On settings, I removed all saved passwords for both accounts, removed the one gmail account I have the problem with, I re-created without password entry, but, unfortunately, auto-download starts again.

delete logins.json, key4.db, and cert9.db. when TB is not running. then restart.

Unfortunately same thing.

In that case, my suggestion is to create a new profile.

This is something I also thought about some minutes ago.

I tried on a new profile now, but it didn't work.

ASk Thunderbird to check for server settings on gmail server and it will auto look for Imap settings. So , if you do not want IMAP. you will need to reselect the Protocol = Pop or manually configure the account.

Gmail account will auto download emails as imap account synchronises with server when checking password etc exists and also any time you are in 'Online' mode because gmail supports the IDLE command and auto pushes new mail for download.

IMAP accounts are mirror copies of whatever is stored on server, so they are designed to be up to date and imap folders synchronise with server folders.

When you delete the account via Account Settings > Account Actions > REmove account, you will need to select both checkboxes to delete account and it's data before you ok the delete. Access Settings > Privacy & Security - check the password has been removed for imap:// oauth:// smtp:// and calendar - anything to do with gmail.

Exit Thunderbird now - this is important

Access profile Delete: logins.json, key4.db, cert9.db AND session.json

Access 'ImapMail' folder Make sure all folders and files that mention gmail are deleted. They should have removed automatically - but check. If you keep trying to create the account then you may have duplicate imap.gmail.com folders but with additional numbers.

Then try creating the account without password.

Please note: the only time you will not download any mail is when you are in 'Offline' mode OR you have not been allowed access to server because password fails.

I'm not sure why there is a need to not download, but utlimately, going offline is the only way to stop it downloading after creating the account. Then you can Exit Thunderbird, Access Profile, Access ImapMail, Access gmail account folder and remove all the contents. But as soon as you go into Online mode - synchronisation will commence.