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How can I create a fIlter to delete only "junk" from the server?

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Randy G.

Randy G.
Randy G.
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One of my E-mail accounts is that of a major client. I handle their customer service online. Normally our protocol is to always leave all messages on the server, so for that one Thunderbird account, I have it set to never delete messages on the server.

But the account recently started getting a lot of junk messages. Thunderbird is doing a remarkable job at marking those and placing them in the junk folder for that account. I would like to create a filter that could remove them from the server, preferably those more than "x" days old so I could monitor the activity to be sure that no important message are removed.

I did notice that in "Filters" I can create a custom filter from a header of my choice, but can't seem to create what I want which is: - after mail is marked as Junk by Thunderbird to delete those messages from the server if they are older than "X" days (my choice of "X"). - not delete any other messages from the server for that account

One of my E-mail accounts is that of a major client. I handle their customer service online. Normally our protocol is to always leave all messages on the server, so for that one Thunderbird account, I have it set to never delete messages on the server. But the account recently started getting a lot of junk messages. Thunderbird is doing a remarkable job at marking those and placing them in the junk folder for that account. I would like to create a filter that could remove them from the server, preferably those more than "x" days old so I could monitor the activity to be sure that no important message are removed. I did notice that in "Filters" I can create a custom filter from a header of my choice, but can't seem to create what I want which is: - after mail is marked as Junk by Thunderbird to delete those messages from the server if they are older than "X" days (my choice of "X"). - not delete any other messages from the server for that account

Chosen solution

Try:

  • right click on Junk Folder and select 'Properties'
  • click on 'Retention Policy tab
  • it will select to 'Use my account settings'
  • uncheck this to get other options.
  • select: eg: Delete messages more than x days old.
  • click on OK to save changes.
  • Close and Restart Thunderbird
Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (4)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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try:

  • Tools > Account Settings > Junk Settings for the mail account
  • Bottom right under 'Destination and retention'
  • select: Automatically delete junk older then xx days.
  • click on ok to save changes,
Randy G.
Randy G. Question owner
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That's worth a shot, and I appreciate the assistance. I am going to try it, but I believe that this will only delete the junk from the junk folder on my end and will not affect the server side. The server settings in Thunderbird which I am required to use has to be set to leave mail on the server: 

 "Server Settings/Leave Mail on Server"
Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

Try:

  • right click on Junk Folder and select 'Properties'
  • click on 'Retention Policy tab
  • it will select to 'Use my account settings'
  • uncheck this to get other options.
  • select: eg: Delete messages more than x days old.
  • click on OK to save changes.
  • Close and Restart Thunderbird
Randy G.
Randy G. Question owner
more options

I believe that did it! Thank you. I am running those changes on a secondary E-Mail address for the same job and server and it appears to be working properly.