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Mail that I mark as Junk doesn't get moved to the Junk Mail folder

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  • Last reply by SweetTasha

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I've been troubleshooting an issue where email from one user, Garry, gets moved to the Junk Mail folder. I have a sub-folder of Garry named "JunkMail". I'm not certain but I think that I must have created it for troubleshooting the issue with Garry's emails going to Junk Mail. I refer to that folder as GJunk. Here's what I need to understand better: 1. Is it possible that TB, not I, created GJunk? 2. Regardless how it was created, will emails that I mark as Junk and ones that TB automatically classifies as Junk, be moved to GJunk? 3. I think that there are some folders that TB creates automatically, right? Like Inbox, Trash, Sent. Is JunkMail another of those folders that TB creates automatically?

For troubleshooting, I sent an email to myself and marked it as Junk. It didn't get moved anywhere, it's still in Inbox. Later I sent another email to myself. It didn't get automatically marked as Junk.

Thanks for your help. SweetTasha

I've been troubleshooting an issue where email from one user, Garry, gets moved to the Junk Mail folder. I have a sub-folder of Garry named "JunkMail". I'm not certain but I think that I must have created it for troubleshooting the issue with Garry's emails going to Junk Mail. I refer to that folder as GJunk. Here's what I need to understand better: 1. Is it possible that TB, not I, created GJunk? 2. Regardless how it was created, will emails that I mark as Junk and ones that TB automatically classifies as Junk, be moved to GJunk? 3. I think that there are some folders that TB creates automatically, right? Like Inbox, Trash, Sent. Is JunkMail another of those folders that TB creates automatically? For troubleshooting, I sent an email to myself and marked it as Junk. It didn't get moved anywhere, it's still in Inbox. Later I sent another email to myself. It didn't get automatically marked as Junk. Thanks for your help. SweetTasha

Chosen solution

In version 102* If the account is a POP mail account then Thunderbird creates a folder but it will be called 'Junk'. Advise you use the account's 'Junk' folder as the destination for Pop account junk/spam emails.

If you have folders with these names eg:'GJunk' or 'JunkMail' or 'Spam' then either you created them OR you are not using a Pop account.

If you are using an IMAP mail account then you will be seeing the same identical folders as used on the server. You can view those by logging on to the webmail account via a browser. Many servers use the word 'Spam' for their junk, but some may use 'Junk Mail'. Imap accounts subscribe to see the server folders and can only display whatever is on the server. Imap accounts must use the server folder which is designated for spam/junk.

Logon to the webmail account via a browser and look for the name of the default folder which the server is auto putting spam emails. Whilst in webmail account select an email and mark as junk/spam - which server folder now has the email? That is the folder you have to use in an imap mail account in Thunderbird. If not sure Post an image which shows all your webmail folders.

You asked :Mail that I mark as Junk doesn't get moved to the Junk Mail folder You have to set up the correct Junk folder to receive the emails marked as junk. So by now you should know the name of the correct folder. If a Pop account then it is called 'Junk' and it is created by Thunderbird. If Imap account then it the name of folder as seen in webmail account which auto receives junk/spam emails and you should be auto subscribed to see that folder in the imap account.

In Account Settings

  • Select 'Junk Settings' for the mail account.
  • Select 'Enable adaptive junk mail controls for this account'
  • Select all necessary address books to act as a whitelist.
  • If required - I personally do not use this - select 'Trust junk mail headers set by eg: Spamassassin' - Do not select it if not sure.

Select 'Move new junk messages to' If you are using a POP mail account:

  • Select 'Junk folder on' and choose the mail account

If using IMAP mail account:

  • Select 'Other' and choose the server subscribed folder name eg: 'Spam on account email address'

Most of what I've mentioned plus addition info on how to train the junk filter can be found here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and-junk-spam-messages

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All Replies (9)

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My earlier question "Emails from one Contact--but not from any other Contact--get put into the Junk Folder" is related to this one.

SweetTasha.

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If Thunderbird did not classify your test emails as junk, it's possible that they did not meet the criteria for classification as junk mail.

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Continue at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1411297 Please stop crating new topics for the same problem.

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You've got it wrong. This is a different issue. I referred to the other issue because it may have some connection to this issue. See my response to AzZA for related information..

Modified by SweetTasha

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AzZA,

If Thunderbird did not classify your test emails as junk, it's possible that they did not meet the criteria for classification as junk mail.

I've been "training" TB to learn what types of emails I consider Junk. See this article:

Thunderbird and Junk / Spam Messages https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and-junk-spam-messages#w_junk-filter-settings

SweetTasha

Modified by SweetTasha

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Apparently there is no solution for this. The question may be closed.

SweetTasha.

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SweetTasha said

1. Is it possible that TB, not I, created GJunk?

No

2. Regardless how it was created, will emails that I mark as Junk and ones that TB automatically classifies as Junk, be moved to GJunk?

There is a single junk folder for each account. You could define that one as tyhe junk folder for the account. But otherwise the answer is no.

3. I think that there are some folders that TB creates automatically, right? Like Inbox, Trash, Sent. Is JunkMail another of those folders that TB creates automatically?

No

For troubleshooting, I sent an email to myself and marked it as Junk. It didn't get moved anywhere, it's still in Inbox. Later I sent another email to myself. It didn't get automatically marked as Junk.

Generally the failure to move mail to the junk folder falls into three categories.

  1. The user has disabled the feature in account settings. re-enable it
  2. The machine has a third party software that is locking the file when Thunderbird tries to update it. (File contention) This is generally caused by antivirus product scanning. The solution is exclude Thunderbird mail and IMAP mail folders from any scanning or otherwise identify the problematic third party software.
  3. The folder is included as one of this that is backed to a cloud location or is stored on a local storage device like a NAS. Stop the cloud backup of NAS storage.
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Chosen Solution

In version 102* If the account is a POP mail account then Thunderbird creates a folder but it will be called 'Junk'. Advise you use the account's 'Junk' folder as the destination for Pop account junk/spam emails.

If you have folders with these names eg:'GJunk' or 'JunkMail' or 'Spam' then either you created them OR you are not using a Pop account.

If you are using an IMAP mail account then you will be seeing the same identical folders as used on the server. You can view those by logging on to the webmail account via a browser. Many servers use the word 'Spam' for their junk, but some may use 'Junk Mail'. Imap accounts subscribe to see the server folders and can only display whatever is on the server. Imap accounts must use the server folder which is designated for spam/junk.

Logon to the webmail account via a browser and look for the name of the default folder which the server is auto putting spam emails. Whilst in webmail account select an email and mark as junk/spam - which server folder now has the email? That is the folder you have to use in an imap mail account in Thunderbird. If not sure Post an image which shows all your webmail folders.

You asked :Mail that I mark as Junk doesn't get moved to the Junk Mail folder You have to set up the correct Junk folder to receive the emails marked as junk. So by now you should know the name of the correct folder. If a Pop account then it is called 'Junk' and it is created by Thunderbird. If Imap account then it the name of folder as seen in webmail account which auto receives junk/spam emails and you should be auto subscribed to see that folder in the imap account.

In Account Settings

  • Select 'Junk Settings' for the mail account.
  • Select 'Enable adaptive junk mail controls for this account'
  • Select all necessary address books to act as a whitelist.
  • If required - I personally do not use this - select 'Trust junk mail headers set by eg: Spamassassin' - Do not select it if not sure.

Select 'Move new junk messages to' If you are using a POP mail account:

  • Select 'Junk folder on' and choose the mail account

If using IMAP mail account:

  • Select 'Other' and choose the server subscribed folder name eg: 'Spam on account email address'

Most of what I've mentioned plus addition info on how to train the junk filter can be found here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and-junk-spam-messages

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Toad-Hall,

Thanks for your reply. I've marked it as the solution.

However, the issue stopped occurring before I had a chance to implement your solution. I'm guessing that training TB to recognize what I consider Junk cleared up the problem, OR the sender of the emails (Garry) changed something but didn't tell me, OR his email provider changed some setting.

Phil

Modified by SweetTasha