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How do I change the default Archive folder for "Local Folders inbox" when it's not linked to any specific account.

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Boss_Hogg

Boss_Hogg
Boss_Hogg
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I had an email account which was ceased by my provider. I moved all its Inbox emails to Local Folders -> Inbox then deleted the ceased account from Thunderbird. Now I am trying to archive messages from this folder to Local Folders -> Archives -> 2007, 2008, 2009 etc.

However when I right-click a message and select "archive", the message goes to the archive folders in another account (I have 2 other active accounts in Thunderbird). How can I make the Archiving use the Local Folders archive folders? I can't figure out how to do this as the Local Folders -> Inbox is not linked to any account (it was deleted), therefore there are no options in the Edit -> Account Settings section.

What I found I could do, is use the search option and find emails related to a particular year and move them to the appropriate folder but I'd prefer to simply right-click and select "archive" and for the messages to go to the correct folder.

I have backups of everything including from before I deleted the ceased account.

Thank you.

I had an email account which was ceased by my provider. I moved all its Inbox emails to Local Folders -> Inbox then deleted the ceased account from Thunderbird. Now I am trying to archive messages from this folder to Local Folders -> Archives -> 2007, 2008, 2009 etc. However when I right-click a message and select "archive", the message goes to the archive folders in another account (I have 2 other active accounts in Thunderbird). How can I make the Archiving use the Local Folders archive folders? I can't figure out how to do this as the Local Folders -> Inbox is not linked to any account (it was deleted), therefore there are no options in the Edit -> Account Settings section. What I found I could do, is use the search option and find emails related to a particular year and move them to the appropriate folder but I'd prefer to simply right-click and select "archive" and for the messages to go to the correct folder. I have backups of everything including from before I deleted the ceased account. Thank you.

All Replies (2)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Right click on highlighted emails and select 'Move to' and select the folder.


Choosing an archive folder requires a mail account identity as seen via config editor. 'Local Folders' account does not have an id number.

You might discover the account number if you look at the source code of the email. Select email so it shows in Message Pane. click on 'More' and select 'View source' As an example, if it says: 'X-Account-Key: account3' near top.

You could then see if that account3 number is still located in the config editor preferences. 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Advanced' > 'General' tab click on 'Config Editor' button

eg: in config editor search type: account3 This line will tell you the id number of account3: mail.account.account3.identities; eg: id4

this line tells you which identity uses which archive folder: mail.identity.id4.archive_folder; Value sets the archive folder mailbox://mail account name part here/Archives

If it should be 'Local Folders 'Archive' folder then it would look like this: mailbox://nobody@Local%20Folders/Archives

But if the account number has been removed then you cannot modify the line to use Local Folders/Archives.

Boss_Hogg
Boss_Hogg Question owner
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Thanks for your reply and help.

Unfortunately "account2" (in my case) does not exist in about:config. I guess I could restore it from a backup but I'd be afraid that it may affect something else.