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Thunderbird new profile for updates deletes all messages on server by default.

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  • Last reply by Matt

jmark2
jmark2
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With each update, I am presented with a message asserting the update requires a new profile. I start to rebuild them and I find to my horror that the serving settings default to Leave messages on server, and for For at most 14 days is checked!

This means when I set up a new profile, TBird starts downloading immediately then deletes everything on the server. As a result of this insanely poor protocol, I lost over three years worth of corporate emails on GoDaddy email. They were unable to recover them.

Let that sink in, TBird deleted three years of history by default. Gone. Thanks a lot. Why on earth would you guys and gals create a protocol that deletes history by default, rather than trust the intelligence of the user to make that decision?

With each update, I am presented with a message asserting the update requires a new profile. I start to rebuild them and I find to my horror that the serving settings default to Leave messages on server, and for For at most 14 days is checked! This means when I set up a new profile, TBird starts downloading immediately then deletes everything on the server. As a result of this insanely poor protocol, I lost over three years worth of corporate emails on GoDaddy email. They were unable to recover them. Let that sink in, TBird deleted three years of history by default. Gone. Thanks a lot. Why on earth would you guys and gals create a protocol that deletes history by default, rather than trust the intelligence of the user to make that decision?

All Replies (1)

Matt
Matt
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I seriously do not see the issue. Why are you not using IMAP instead of POP if you want to be using mail that is on the server?

For those using POP, leaving mail on the server is normally the last thing they want to do. however you are free to ask that the default be changes in a bug request. I do not like your chances of success. But don't let that stop you.

A couple of bug that you should be aware of before finling a new one are. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=231541 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=531088

They are old and one is fixed, but the discussion is enlightening.

I would be more concerned why an update should need a new profile. I have been using the same one for 10 years or so. Reusing your old profile is the aim of each update, not a new one.

See https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-lost-my-profilemail-on-update-to.html

I wrote this specifically for Thunderbird 68 as it does have some loosing of profiles issues on update, but it is not normal for an update to require a new profile.