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Is there no way to filter IMAP messages on headers before downloading?

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by Wayne Mery

Greyman.Au
Greyman.Au
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I am using TB68.3.1 I have a number of filters that sort my email into different IMAP folders based on the from address. My folders are named for different categories such as newsletters or committee emails. The problem is that TB downloads all messages into the inbox first, then filters them, uploads them to the server in the new folders, and then also seems to sync the folders and download the messages again. This seems to unnecessarily slow down TB.

Can I set TB to just download the headers, filter the emails based on the headers, then sync and download all messages and folders?

I am using TB68.3.1 I have a number of filters that sort my email into different IMAP folders based on the from address. My folders are named for different categories such as newsletters or committee emails. The problem is that TB downloads all messages into the inbox first, then filters them, uploads them to the server in the new folders, and then also seems to sync the folders and download the messages again. This seems to unnecessarily slow down TB. Can I set TB to just download the headers, filter the emails based on the headers, then sync and download all messages and folders?

Modified by Greyman.Au

Chosen solution

Matt is correct that the imap mail must first be downloaded - that's the way imap works. I also believe this filtering is slower in version 68 but I haven't quantified it or determined the cause. I've been hoping for someone else to make a breakthrough, but so far no luck.

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All Replies (3)

Matt
Matt
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just create your filters on the server, instead of Thunderbird

Greyman.Au
Greyman.Au Question owner
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I would create my filters using the webmail page, however my isp webmail does not have any filter settings.

I have just found imapfilter on google, but I am not sure I can get it to work on windows 7.

Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Matt is correct that the imap mail must first be downloaded - that's the way imap works. I also believe this filtering is slower in version 68 but I haven't quantified it or determined the cause. I've been hoping for someone else to make a breakthrough, but so far no luck.