Problems with shared email account messages being read across the board
Our company started using Thuderbird. We have 2 email accounts where multiple people share it. We used to have it where if I read an email, it DID NOT show up read on the other persons computer. We need to have it set up that each person, as its read, shows up that way, not read just because someone else reads it. How can we do this? It is set up as IMAP
All Replies (2)
You need to understand that imap mail accounts show a remote view of the emails held on the server. Each view on various workers' computers is looking at the same folder which periodically synchronises with server to keep it updated. This is how all imap mail accounts work. That's why you can logon via Thunderbird or webmail or phone or another computer and see the same information. So the folders you or your work associates see are one and the same. It is not possible for you to mark an imap folder email as read and others not see it. You are not marking your copy as read, you are marking the email on the server as read. That is the whole point of imap. Everyone sees the same folder.
If it was a pop mail account, then providing all pop mail accounts accessing that same email address were set up to keep copies on server, then anyone could download a copy to their computer and mark it as they wish because the emails and folders are only on their computer. Of course someone would need to keep an eye on the server as it may reach it quota level and need older emails deleting off server after a backup has been made.
It would be better if you set it up so that it did not mark imap mail account emails as read. Other possibilites - suggest you either : synchronise mail for offline use and then in offline mode get a copy into Local Folders or set up a Message Filter to mark as unread and copy to Local Folders mail account. Then you can read the emails via Local Folders and mark them as read, so you know what has been done. Anything in Local Folders mail account is not going to synchronise with the server as those copies are stored only on that computer.
Modified by Toad-Hall
How to switch off the auto mark as read: 'Tools > 'Options' > Display' > 'Advanced' tab or 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > Display' > 'Advanced' tab
- uncheck 'Automatically mark messages as read'
- click on OK
Perhaps you could use a 'tag' to denote you are dealing with a particular email, so others do not waste time dealing with something you have already done and also it is known who processed that email.