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

Natao arisiva ity resaka mitohy ity. Mametraha fanontaniana azafady raha mila fanampiana.

Local vs Server Storage of Junk, Sent, Archives, Drafts and Templates

more options

In the settings for “Copies & Folders” and “Junk Settings” I am confused about which location is local or on the server. Fore example, in “Drafts and Templates” the 2 drafts choices are “Drafts” folder on: a drop down list with the names of accounts. The other is: “Other” Drafts on ‘an account name’ in a drop down list. These, however, have that account’s directory tree to select from. Which is on the server and which is local?

PS: I did search for the answer to this question and did not find it.

TIA, Jim

In the settings for “Copies & Folders” and “Junk Settings” I am confused about which location is local or on the server. Fore example, in “Drafts and Templates” the 2 drafts choices are “Drafts” folder on: a drop down list with the names of accounts. The other is: “Other” Drafts on ‘an account name’ in a drop down list. These, however, have that account’s directory tree to select from. Which is on the server and which is local? PS: I did search for the answer to this question and did not find it. TIA, Jim

All Replies (3)

more options

The relationship of folders usually depends on how you connect to your account.

With a POP3 connection, you are downloading new messages in your server-based inbox, and all folders are local (including the drafts folder associated with the account).

With an IMAP connection, what you see locally is a mirror of what is on the server, and Thunderbird will sync your local changes up to the server. You should be able to confirm this by using a webmail login to view your mail on the server. To control when messages are deleted or to opt out of synchronizing some folders, see this article for details: IMAP Synchronization.

Note: I don't use Thunderbird myself, so this is based on general experience with other mail programs.

more options

A clarification of my question.

Which of these two images shows the prodecure to select the sent messages, archives, templates and (not shown) the junk folders on the IMAP server rather than a local folder on my computer?

Thanks, Jim

more options

Hi Jim, thanks for the screen shot, I hadn't checked that dialog.

Those look equivalent to me, since in the Other section you chose the same account and folder that Thunderbird has as the default. As long as you are choosing the corresponding account instead of "Local Folders" (bottom of list), then the messages should be saved on the server.

Have you noticed any problems?