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Messages stored at multiple locations?

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i'm trying to free up some space used by Thunderbird, however, getting confused where the messages are actually get stored..

I'm having multiple POP accounts configured. For each POP account, in the "Server settings" tab, Message Storage heading, clicking the "Advanced" button, the "Inbox for different account -> Local folders" is selected.

However, again in the Server settings tab, there is a "Local directory" field, where a separate directory is designated for storage of this account.

So where do messages end up in reality? My guess is that they end up in the Local folder's directory.. but then why is the account specific directory (the one pointed to by the "Local directory" field) have a size of 2.5 gigabytes? How to get free up this space?

Thanks!

i'm trying to free up some space used by Thunderbird, however, getting confused where the messages are actually get stored.. I'm having multiple POP accounts configured. For each POP account, in the "Server settings" tab, Message Storage heading, clicking the "Advanced" button, the "Inbox for different account -> Local folders" is selected. However, again in the Server settings tab, there is a "Local directory" field, where a separate directory is designated for storage of this account. So where do messages end up in reality? My guess is that they end up in the Local folder's directory.. but then why is the account specific directory (the one pointed to by the "Local directory" field) have a size of 2.5 gigabytes? How to get free up this space? Thanks!

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Do you compact regularly? This is the primary solution to freeing up storage space. Deleted messages remain in place, but hidden, until the folder is compacted.

You may have diverted Inbox to a communal file, but Sent, Trash, Drafts, Junk & co may still be in their natural homes under the separate accounts. You may be able to steer some if not all of these to communal folders too, but I wouldn't anticipate any great space saving through doing so.