Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Thunderbird downloads email on its own even though I've turned that feature off. How to fix?

  • 7 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Sherry4803

Sherry4803
Sherry4803
more options

I downoaded Thunderbird into my new computer running Windows 10 the other day. I set up my account to only check for email when I want to, not when I open Thunderbird or every so many minutes. I did this by going to Tools, then Account Settings, then Server Settings, then in Server Settings unchecking "Check for new messages at startup" and "Check for new messages every __ minutes." I then clicked "OK." Thunderbird still checks for new messages when I open it and every so often during the day. How can I fix this? Apparently I have an IMAP mail server, if that makes any difference.

I downoaded Thunderbird into my new computer running Windows 10 the other day. I set up my account to only check for email when I want to, not when I open Thunderbird or every so many minutes. I did this by going to Tools, then Account Settings, then Server Settings, then in Server Settings unchecking "Check for new messages at startup" and "Check for new messages every __ minutes." I then clicked "OK." Thunderbird still checks for new messages when I open it and every so often during the day. How can I fix this? Apparently I have an IMAP mail server, if that makes any difference.

Chosen solution

Also go into server setting for this account and click Server Setting and then Advanced. Uncheck Use Idle Command and see if that helps.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (7)

user01229325
user01229325
more options

It does make a difference. IMAP is server based and it shows you the messages when it receives them. The settings you are playing with are for POP.

Sherry4803
Sherry4803 Question owner
more options

Thanks again, Airmail, for your reply. The odd thing is that my laptop, which runs Win 7 and uses the same server, will only check for messages when I tell it to do so. I installed Thunderbird on it only a couple of months earlier than I did this one. Is there some way to fix this?

user01229325
user01229325
more options

Is Thunderbird set for IMAP on both computers for this account? The email account can be IMAP but you can set the client as POP or IMAP.

user01229325
user01229325
more options

Chosen Solution

Also go into server setting for this account and click Server Setting and then Advanced. Uncheck Use Idle Command and see if that helps.

Sherry4803
Sherry4803 Question owner
more options

Thanks much, Airmail! I think you're two for two here. I unchecked and OK'd the Use Idle Command, and then I was able to make Thunderbird look for messages. I also checked my laptop and, sure enough, it listed a POP server, not an IMAP server. How does one set the server? Is it by the port number? Is one better to use than the other? My server's POP3 port number is 110, while its IMAP port number is 143.

Sherry

user01229325
user01229325
more options

This article describes switching account types. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-pop-imap-account

Sherry4803
Sherry4803 Question owner
more options

Thanks again, Airmail!