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With multiple accounts, how can I change the order that mail accounts are checked for new mail?

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  • 1 yana da wannan matsala
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  • Amsa ta ƙarshe daga stzm209

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I have 3 different email accounts set up in Thunderbird. Each time I check for new mail, it always checks in this order:

  1. email #1
  2. email #2
  3. email #3

The number indicates the order I added the accounts to Thunderbird. Email #2 is my default account.

Is there a way to change the order so that a different email is checked first? For example, I would like to check for new mail in this order:

  1. email #2
  2. email #3
  3. email #1

I tried modifying various things in the Thunderbird profile prefs.js file, but nothing seemed to work. It always checked in the same order no matter what I changed. I also looked in the Windows 10 registry but couldn't find anything.

Maybe a combination of things needs to be changed in the prefs.js file that I'm not aware of. Can someone shed some light on this? Thanks.

I have 3 different email accounts set up in Thunderbird. Each time I check for new mail, it always checks in this order: # email #1 # email #2 # email #3 The number indicates the order I added the accounts to Thunderbird. Email #2 is my default account. Is there a way to change the order so that a different email is checked first? For example, I would like to check for new mail in this order: # email #2 # email #3 # email #1 I tried modifying various things in the Thunderbird profile prefs.js file, but nothing seemed to work. It always checked in the same order no matter what I changed. I also looked in the Windows 10 registry but couldn't find anything. Maybe a combination of things needs to be changed in the prefs.js file that I'm not aware of. Can someone shed some light on this? Thanks.

An gyara daga stzm209

Mafitar da aka zaɓa

I figured out how to do it. When modifying the prefs.js file, it checks accounts in the order of serverN, where N = server #. In general, if you change the server # (throughout the entire file) for each mail account to a numerical ordering that matches the order you want the accounts checked in, it works.

I'm not sure how idN affects it, but there was a corresponding matching identity # for each server #, so I changed the identity # to match also.

It's now checking accounts in the order that I want.

In case anyone else tries this, please remember to quit Thunderbird first and back up your original prefs.js file before attempting (at your own risk). ;)

Karanta wannan amsa a matsayinta 👍 0

All Replies (5)

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I'm using Mac, so it might be different. But, here's a few things you could try.

On the Menu, Tools, Account Settings: Highlight with your mouse, your Email #2. At the bottom of that column, click on Account Actions. Make sure Email #2 is the Default Account. I think it will check it first, but don't know what order will come after. (Mine usually checks so fast I have no way of seeing which one it's checking first.)

Also, you could try: in the same Dialog box of Accounts. Click on each account, starting with your Email #2, highlight Server Settings, Set Check for New Messages at 10 minutes for Email #2, then 11 minutes for Email #3, then 12 minutes for Email #1.

This probably won't make a difference for manually checking. These are the only settings I could find regarding checking the server.

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Email #2 is already set as the default account. It does not check the default account first. It always checks email #1 first, which is the account I added first. This is all noted in my original post.

What I want is to set the checking order for manual checking. That is, when you click on the "Get Messages" button.

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Zaɓi Mafita

I figured out how to do it. When modifying the prefs.js file, it checks accounts in the order of serverN, where N = server #. In general, if you change the server # (throughout the entire file) for each mail account to a numerical ordering that matches the order you want the accounts checked in, it works.

I'm not sure how idN affects it, but there was a corresponding matching identity # for each server #, so I changed the identity # to match also.

It's now checking accounts in the order that I want.

In case anyone else tries this, please remember to quit Thunderbird first and back up your original prefs.js file before attempting (at your own risk). ;)

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Wow, that's cool that you figured it out. Nice for you to share and help others, thanks. Did you use a text editor to edit the file? Or a special app?

An gyara daga lindaloulou

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Yes, I just used a text editor, since it's a text file.