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reply address from local folders defaults to expired email account

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I have recently set up TB (31.4.0, windows 7 pro), importing a set of local folders and emails from outlook express. TB has associated these with an email address which I no longer use, though it still exists and I sometimes receive mail on it.

I have set up two currently active email addresses.  Most activity is on one of these.

When I receive mail on either, I move it to the appropriate folder in local folders. I do this because I want all messages on a subject to be grouped together, not scattered about depending on which email provider I happen to be using at the time.

When I reply to a message from the local folders, it always sets the "From" address as the old, defunct account.

Can I set the default to be my active account or, better, the account originally used for the message to which I am replying?

(Note that I have already done this successfully for creating a new message, but I haven't been able to do it for replies)

Thanks,

Geoff

I have recently set up TB (31.4.0, windows 7 pro), importing a set of local folders and emails from outlook express. TB has associated these with an email address which I no longer use, though it still exists and I sometimes receive mail on it. I have set up two currently active email addresses. Most activity is on one of these. When I receive mail on either, I move it to the appropriate folder in local folders. I do this because I want all messages on a subject to be grouped together, not scattered about depending on which email provider I happen to be using at the time. When I reply to a message from the local folders, it always sets the "From" address as the old, defunct account. Can I set the default to be my active account or, better, the account originally used for the message to which I am replying? (Note that I have already done this successfully for creating a new message, but I haven't been able to do it for replies) Thanks, Geoff

Chosen solution

I think that you have solved it between you.

The old account didn't appear in the folder pane, but was associated with the folders, and used the folders inbox.

Deleting the account allowed the folder outgoing server setting to take effect, so replies are "from: the active account".

Since I still receive some emails on the old account, I re-created it. This time, it appeared in the folders pane separate from the folders with its own inbox, the same as the two active accounts.

It proceeded to download 770 messages into the new inbox, most/all of which I will need to delete.

Once that is done, everything will be working as desired.

Thanks again for your help,

Geoff

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All Replies (4)

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Tools menu (alt+T) > account settings > outgoing server (SMTP) and select the correct "default" SMTP server.

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Matt,

Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise, but I'm afraid I still need help.

Did as you said, selecting local folders > outgoing server (SMTP) > active email account (from the list offered)> set as default > OK

Did not appear to fix the problem, so tried close >reopen and restart > reopen.

local folders > outgoing server (SMTP) shows the active email account as default, as intended.

Replies from local folders still show "from: the old account" whether from an email originally addressed to that account, addressed to an even earlier account, or to the currently active account.

All three accounts are set up as POP server.

I can change the "from" account each time I reply, so it's an irritant rather than a stopper, but when the old account provider finally closes the account, delivery will fail if I forget.

Do you have any further ideas?

regards,

Geoff

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Remove the defunct SMTP "account" from the list of accounts in Thunderbird. Then it can't select it.

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Seçilmiş Həll

I think that you have solved it between you.

The old account didn't appear in the folder pane, but was associated with the folders, and used the folders inbox.

Deleting the account allowed the folder outgoing server setting to take effect, so replies are "from: the active account".

Since I still receive some emails on the old account, I re-created it. This time, it appeared in the folders pane separate from the folders with its own inbox, the same as the two active accounts.

It proceeded to download 770 messages into the new inbox, most/all of which I will need to delete.

Once that is done, everything will be working as desired.

Thanks again for your help,

Geoff