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When I move an email message to a new folder, folder shows I have unread message but I can't see message in that folder

  • 15 replies
  • 8 have this problem
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  • Last reply by GWild55

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I have tried to move an unread email message to another folder (from my Inbox); I did this via drag and drop rather than right click'ing on the message and selecting the folder to move it to, however, when I try to view the unread email message in the folder to which it was moved, I don't see it, despite the actual folder name showing one unread message.

Just to add: I logged on to my web based mail (BT) and I saw the unread message in the folder I had moved it to in TBird....I clicked on it-it has now been read on the web but in TBird it still shows an unread message in that folder and yet I don't see the email message that I just read on the web. I have tried sync'ing by clicking on File-Offline-download/sync now....but still...nothing...help!

Where has my "moved" email message gone?

Thanks!

I have tried to move an unread email message to another folder (from my Inbox); I did this via drag and drop rather than right click'ing on the message and selecting the folder to move it to, however, when I try to view the unread email message in the folder to which it was moved, I don't see it, despite the actual folder name showing one unread message. Just to add: I logged on to my web based mail (BT) and I saw the unread message in the folder I had moved it to in TBird....I clicked on it-it has now been read on the web but in TBird it still shows an unread message in that folder and yet I don't see the email message that I just read on the web. I have tried sync'ing by clicking on File-Offline-download/sync now....but still...nothing...help! Where has my "moved" email message gone? Thanks!

Modified by Marla13

All Replies (15)

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_____________________

Modified by Marla13

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ignore comment - posted incorrectly.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Can anyone assist with the above problem?

Similarly, is there an easy way to sync with my server/web rather than clicking on File-Offline-download/sync now.

One of my folders doesn't seem to be sync'ing and so the folder on the web (web based mail) is up to date but the same folder in TBird is not.

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Try this: Reindex the folder. Right click on folder and choose 'Properties' click on 'Repair Folder' button click on OK

Refresh the folder by selecting another and reselect.

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Thanks for that-I was actually going to try that but I wasn't sure if Repair means it will download all the email that is currently on my server (from same folder on web) or whether it does something else?

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If the reindexing the folder worked could you select that response as a 'Chosen solution'.

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Hi-I tried to right click on the folder, choose Properties and then Repair Folder (I then clicked on another folder and came back to this one but it doesn't seem to want to download from the server). Any suggestions? I may shut down TBird and open it up again...stay tuned!

Nope-it hasn't worked!

Modified by Marla13

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Toad-I sent you two private messages yesterday; perhaps you can have a look at let me know what you think? I have described the problem in more detail.

Many thanks!

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re: I was on the phone with BT Business Tech support today and they seem to think the problem lies with my btinternet.com email address (a residential email account), since I am having the same problems with Thunderbird as I was with Windows Live Mail. A Repair folder has not solved my problem; I still have email messages on my server which are just not downloading to my email folder in Thunderbird. BT suggested I delete the email account that is causing me problems and setting it up again but before I do that wondered if you have encountered anyone else with btinternet.com accounts who are having similar problems-in other words, I want to know what the issue is before I apply a random solution. Deleting the account seems the most drastic approach, and obviously will not rectif y things if the problem *is* with BT rather than Thunderbird (?).

I use btinternet.com on a pop mail account and have no issues.

Check account settings: Tools > Account Settings > Synchronization & Storage for the imap btinternet.com mail account. select : keep messages for this account on this computer' select 'synchronise all messages locally regardless of age'

click on 'Advanced ' button and check that all the folders you want to synchronise are selected. See info here; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/imap-synchronization#w_configuring-synchronization-and-disk-space-usage

Confirm all the folders are subscribed and selected for download /synchronising. Make sure subfolders are also selected as they may not be auto selected.

Then select mail account 'Server Settings' select; Check for new messages at startup' select: 'check for new messages every eg: 15 minutes'

Also select the 'clean up (Expunge) Inbox on exit'.

Click on 'OK' to save any changes,


As you have synchronised your subscribed accounts, there will be a copy in the mail account folders. I suggest you first create a backup of those folders.

Download this addon to your desktop or Downloads folder:

How to install:

  • In Thunderbird
  • Tools > addons OR Menu icon > Addons
  • clickon the gear wheel icon and select 'install addon from file'
  • locate the .xpi file you downloaded and click on Open
  • you may need to restart Thunderbird.

Then go into 'offline' mode, but do not bother with synchronising as you want a copy of your current situation. To go 'offline' click on the two blue screen icon located bottom left in status bar. It will change to two black screen icons.

then right click on folder and select:

  • 'ImportExporttools' > 'Export folder' or 'Export folder with subfolders (with structure)' if it has subfolders or export the subfolders separately.
  • choose a folder (not in Thunderbird) and click on 'Select folder'.

When you have got a copy of all your folders stored outside of Thunderbird:

  • Right click on folder and choose 'Compact'.
  • Do this with each folder, but allow time for each folder to complete compacting - it will show a message in the Status bar.

What do the folders look like? Do you still have emails in them? When you next go into online mode, assuming synchronising will work, this is what the folders on the server should then look like.

Then go back to 'Online' mode - same as before click on two black screen icons to change to blue screen icons.

Report back on results.

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I'm sorry but I don't understand where I am meant to check: account settings: Tools > Account Settings > Synchronization & Storage for the imap btinternet.com mail account.

Which email programme is this in? I'm not at work right now so only have access to my Mac (Outlook for Mac).

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Apologies-I take it this is in Thunderbird-OK-I won't be with Thunderbird before Monday but can check then and let you know.

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Hi Toad-sorry so long to report back. I did check that all my folder names were checked for synchronisation; that doesn't seem to be the problem. For some reason, I can send and receive...sometimes I get "login failed" messages upon sending (more than receiving)....it's the sync'ing with the Server that seems to not be working well.

I read your suggestions above but am not confident I will do the step *below* making sure all boxes are checked for synchronisation correctly. Do you have software that will allow you to remotely access my computer? I'm happy to pay for your help provided we resolve the problem. I somehow suspect part of the problem is that mine is set up as IMAP whereas yours is Pop 3.

Best..

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I'm having a similar issue ...

A message in Folder A appears okay ... move that message to Folder B and the message is blank with a timestamp of 1969.

This has happened three or four times, randomly as far as I cal tell -- but worth noting, I've used Thundebird for a very long time without issue; and this corruption issue started AFTER I recently installed Firefox. Any chance there is mutual shared Mozilla code that Firefox 'updates' at install?

I'll try the message folder index trick (I do compact regularly).

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Okay --- is there ANY method that recursively indexes folders? I'd have to go through the file/properties method 1,000 times to index all my folders in just my OutBox (yes, I keep email forever, from 1996 on this machine)...

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New quirk -- repair a folder with 10 messages. 5 turn to UNREAD. I mark the folder read. Do the repair again, same 5 messages UNREAD.

Does REPAIR actually work?