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

folders are not structured the same way they are on server

more options

I've just created an IMAP account on thunderbird. Sent folder is showing under inbox not under root. While on the server (web mail) it is under root. Why is this happening and how can I have folders structure synched with the server. I thought in IMAP the thunderbird will just reflect what is on the server.

I've just created an IMAP account on thunderbird. Sent folder is showing under inbox not under root. While on the server (web mail) it is under root. Why is this happening and how can I have folders structure synched with the server. I thought in IMAP the thunderbird will just reflect what is on the server.

All Replies (5)

more options

anyone, any idea, how to make sent items folder under the root not under inbox! Must be trivial but cannot find the option for that.

more options

Hello postscripter.

I don't personally use IMAP so I'm only taking a guess here but could you possibly just click and drag the sent items folder from under the inbox folder to another place under root? Might that work and might it be that simple?

more options

I am using IMAP. It does not allow me to move the folder manually. Isn't IMAP supposed to sync with folder structure on server, I am really confused

more options

Well postscripter, as I said, I myself have never used IMAP so the behaviours that that protocol may display are somewhat foreign to me. But, when I think of it, it might be displaying the Sent folder as a child folder to the Inbox folder so that it will directly be related to that account. Let me explain my thought on this one.

As IMAP accounts should always sync up with what is on the server and what you see on your client computer/device, all folders should be contained (kept organized) somewhat when being used on your computer/device. With POP3 protocols, you are able to save messages to any location (or mail folder) on the computer/device, even if they don't apply to the relevant e-mail account in question. So I guess this is IMAP's way to ensure that all e-mail messages that are associated with this particular account will stay within this particular account and be able to be synced properly. Any deviation from this might create syncing issues.

So this is just a stab at a possible explanation for this behaviour. As I said, I have never used the IMAP protocol so I honestly don't know. Maybe someone with more knowledge about the IMAP protocol and its behaviours can chime in and give a better answer for you.

PS - As you said, the Sent folder is displayed as a child folder to the Inbox folder. How are any other folders in your account displayed on your computer/device? Are they also displayed as child folders to your Inbox or are they placed in the root area and appear to be equal to the Inbox folder?

Modified by wpmc

more options

thanks for the feedback. Actually I used to be able to change a setting in the account in Thunderbird to make the sent folder under root. so I already have the accounts which where setup earlier at the right place under the root along with inbox and others. I think there was a setting to change root and I had to put "INBOX" for the root then sent will be at the right location..strange but it worked somehow like that.. But this time around, I don't seem to find that option...