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

Using Thunderbird for GMail - IMAP

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by PSikes

more options

I tried to follow Google's recommendations for IMAP, using Thunderbird. Their recommendations:

On the Server Settings tab: Check for new messages at startup > checked Check for new messages every 10 minutes > checked When I delete a message > Mark it as deleted Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit > leave unchecked Empty Trash on Exit > leave unchecked

If I follow the instructions for deleted message, I end up with numerous email in Thunderbird that just have a line through them, but not removed. I don't understand why this was recommended, unless the motive was to try reduce the amount of actions taken on the server.

I wonder if any other TB users have seen this, or have better suggestions?

I tried to follow Google's recommendations for IMAP, using Thunderbird. Their recommendations: On the Server Settings tab: Check for new messages at startup > checked Check for new messages every 10 minutes > checked When I delete a message > Mark it as deleted Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit > leave unchecked Empty Trash on Exit > leave unchecked If I follow the instructions for deleted message, I end up with numerous email in Thunderbird that just have a line through them, but not removed. I don't understand why this was recommended, unless the motive was to try reduce the amount of actions taken on the server. I wonder if any other TB users have seen this, or have better suggestions?

Chosen solution

The recommendation was made to avoid the problem of deleting a message that has been copied to another folder: Gmail removes both the original and the copy (see the last paragraph of the Labels section). There is a discussion of the issue starting here. Note in particular the recommendations of bkennelly here and here.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

The recommendation was made to avoid the problem of deleting a message that has been copied to another folder: Gmail removes both the original and the copy (see the last paragraph of the Labels section). There is a discussion of the issue starting here. Note in particular the recommendations of bkennelly here and here.

more options

@sfhowes

Thanks. Very helpful! Also very confusing, but I like the suggestion that bkennelly made regarding opting to "remove immediately". That'll work for me.