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Thunderbird doesn't delete email from server

  • 3 respostas
  • 1 has this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by Matt

geotanty
geotanty
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I set Tbird up on wife's new computer. Old computer was set to POP and this time defaulted to IMAP. Now Tbird downloads mail, but you still see it @ Earthlink website. Then you delete a message from inbox on Tbird and it disappears from Earthlink's website. I want to set it up so once Tbird downloads message, it is gone from server. I think I need to change server type back to POP but want to check first.

Thanks

George

I set Tbird up on wife's new computer. Old computer was set to POP and this time defaulted to IMAP. Now Tbird downloads mail, but you still see it @ Earthlink website. Then you delete a message from inbox on Tbird and it disappears from Earthlink's website. I want to set it up so once Tbird downloads message, it is gone from server. I think I need to change server type back to POP but want to check first. Thanks George

All Replies (3)

amanchesterman
amanchesterman
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Yes if you switch back to POP and make the necessary adjustments in your Account Settings > Server Settings you can get Thunderbird to delete messages from the server when it downloads them. (Be aware though that you can also set it up so that downloaded messages remain on the server: the Server Settings allow you to choose what you want to happen.) There are various short summaries online about the difference between POP and IMAP, here's one that you might find helpful: https://help.aol.co.uk/articles/what-is-the-difference-between-pop3-and-imap

geotanty
geotanty Question owner
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Thanks

I searched here for how to change setting from IMAP back to POP and all I can find is how to set up a new account. Any way to change the setting so I don't lose all of her emails and folders?

Matt
Matt
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geotanty said

Thanks I searched here for how to change setting from IMAP back to POP and all I can find is how to set up a new account. Any way to change the setting so I don't lose all of her emails and folders?

No there is not. the two protocols are so different that is is just not possible. This is actually made worse by the fact POP only knows of an inbox, not any other folders.