Can you help? Messages are disappearing on comcast server when I delete them from Thunderbird...and I need them on the Comcast server for when I'm traveling.
My emails are disappearing from my inbox on the Comcast web page. I have several computers and devices: A desktop on which I run Thunderbird 52.8.0 (32-bit), which is my primary access; a laptop on which I check email via the comcast webpage; an Android phone where I run the comcast email app; and an android tablet on which I'm also running the Android app.
The Thunderbird account is set up as imap. I've always been able to read my email on my desktop on Thunderbird and keep the emails in the inbox on the comcast server as well, for when I'm traveling. Now, all of a sudden, the emails on the comcast webpage are disappearing when I delete them from my Thunderbird account or file them in a local folder.
What's happening? This is really a problem for me when I'm traveling.
Chosen solution
You are using IMAP. What you describe is expected behavior.
IMAP is server based. You view messages remotely on your computer and phone. If you delete a message at the server or from any device it is gone everywhere.
Moving a message to Local Folders is taking it off the server and placing it on your local hard drive. This is the same as deleting it from the server.
What you see is normal IMAP operation.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (3)
Chosen Solution
You are using IMAP. What you describe is expected behavior.
IMAP is server based. You view messages remotely on your computer and phone. If you delete a message at the server or from any device it is gone everywhere.
Moving a message to Local Folders is taking it off the server and placing it on your local hard drive. This is the same as deleting it from the server.
What you see is normal IMAP operation.
Okay, thanks. What I don't understand is why this is just happening now, since the messages were left on the Comcast server for a few months while I was using IMAP.
But I appreciate the help; time to go back to POP, I guess.
IMAP works like IMAP works. If you have been doing like described I do not think the messages have been left on the server. Were you copying the messages to local folders instead of moving? That would leave a copy on the server. Deleting anywhere would always delete everywhere.