Thunderbird does not delete email messages from my host email server after "getting" messages.
I am migrating away from Outlook, but until the two problem below are solved, I have to stick to it.
1) Thunderbird does not delete email messages from my ISP host email server after "getting" (down loading) messages. I cannot configer the host email between Imap and POP. It does not offer this option in the configuration. Thunderbird needs to be on IMAP for it to be able to work with my mail server. 2) Everytime I open Outlook, the messages in Thunderbird's In box gets deleted. This may not be a big problem as such, I have a work around, 'bold text'but just the idea that this can happen promps me to find a solution. Any Ideas? Thanks in advance. I love Thunderbird, must have it.
Chosen solution
If you use POP: Thunderbird can only access the server Inbox and download emails into the Thunderbirdpop mail account Inbox. There is a choice in 'Account Settings' >'server settings' where you can choose to leave messages on server. Servers will usually assume you have downloaded to store on your computer and so by default will delete off server unless you have made those settings. Pop mail account emails are stored on your computer and whether you keep some on the server is irrelevant and your choice. But ultimately it will depend upon how much storage is offered by the server. They offer more storage for imap mail accounts. This is how all pop mail accounts work.
If you use IMAP: IMAP mail accounts see a remote view of server. The folders synchronise with the server, headers are usually downloaded and when you select an email, the email is then downloaded to a temp folder to facilate viewing. It is not stored in Thunderbird. So in offline mode you cannot read emails.
If you synschronise imap folders for offline use, you can get copies of email stored on server downloaded fully into Thunderbird imap mail account. But these folders still synchronise with server - they are in effect one and the same, the only difference is that now you have a full copy in Thunderbird. If you delete any email from any device using imap connection or even via webmail then you are deleting off the server and so this exactly what you would see in thunderbird imap mail account.
Read info all about setting up imap mail account to keep full copies of emails and not just headers.
However, what you can do is sychronise for offline use to get full copy downloaded, then in offline mode, get copies of emails into 'Local Folders' mail account. I suggest offline mode because it stops imap folders from synchgronising whilst you are getting copies of a load of emails into Local Folders.
Generally, copying an email into Local Folders should work ok, but if coping quite a few then suggest do it in offline mode.
Emails in 'Local Folders' mail account do not synchronise with anything. These emails are fully copied and stored on your computer. You could then delete the emails in imap mail account, which in turn will delete emails off server.
If you keep copies on your computer, I would recommend you create backups of your 'profile name' on a regular basis.
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I suggest to read up on how IMAP works and differs from POP. IMAP is server based. You view the messages remotely from your computer and or phone. If you delete a message from any device or directly at the server it is gone everywhere.
Thanks, appreciate your valid suggestion, but in my case I need to get the messages cleared out from my isp server after it is down loaded to my pc into Thunderbird. If Outlook can do it, so should Tb.
Chosen Solution
If you use POP: Thunderbird can only access the server Inbox and download emails into the Thunderbirdpop mail account Inbox. There is a choice in 'Account Settings' >'server settings' where you can choose to leave messages on server. Servers will usually assume you have downloaded to store on your computer and so by default will delete off server unless you have made those settings. Pop mail account emails are stored on your computer and whether you keep some on the server is irrelevant and your choice. But ultimately it will depend upon how much storage is offered by the server. They offer more storage for imap mail accounts. This is how all pop mail accounts work.
If you use IMAP: IMAP mail accounts see a remote view of server. The folders synchronise with the server, headers are usually downloaded and when you select an email, the email is then downloaded to a temp folder to facilate viewing. It is not stored in Thunderbird. So in offline mode you cannot read emails.
If you synschronise imap folders for offline use, you can get copies of email stored on server downloaded fully into Thunderbird imap mail account. But these folders still synchronise with server - they are in effect one and the same, the only difference is that now you have a full copy in Thunderbird. If you delete any email from any device using imap connection or even via webmail then you are deleting off the server and so this exactly what you would see in thunderbird imap mail account.
Read info all about setting up imap mail account to keep full copies of emails and not just headers.
However, what you can do is sychronise for offline use to get full copy downloaded, then in offline mode, get copies of emails into 'Local Folders' mail account. I suggest offline mode because it stops imap folders from synchgronising whilst you are getting copies of a load of emails into Local Folders.
Generally, copying an email into Local Folders should work ok, but if coping quite a few then suggest do it in offline mode.
Emails in 'Local Folders' mail account do not synchronise with anything. These emails are fully copied and stored on your computer. You could then delete the emails in imap mail account, which in turn will delete emails off server.
If you keep copies on your computer, I would recommend you create backups of your 'profile name' on a regular basis.
It is not a suggestion. It is how the 2 email protocols work. If you are using IMAP, which it sounds like you are, it is working as expected. Use Outlook if you like. It works the same way when using IMAP.
That is why I suggested you educate your self on email protocols.
Thank you very much