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File per message (maildir): missing .eml extension

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  • Last reply by Matt

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I am testing Thunderbird 60.0b7 beta version, have not used any previous version.

I would like to store my mail in maildir format so that each message is stored as a file with .eml extension.

Under advanced options "Message store type for new accounts" I have configured: File per message (maildir)

When I view the per-message files, I see that a typical file name is 1528863314782000 without any extension (suffix). I would prefer file name 1528863314782000.eml, because Windows handles .eml files nicely.

The behavior seems inconsistent with the documentation which specifies "using the EML extension": https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/maildir-thunderbird

Is there any configuration setting to control the suffix for these files? Thanks!

Note, someone has previously observed similar behavior using Thunderbird 45 for Linux: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=3026130

I am testing Thunderbird 60.0b7 beta version, have not used any previous version. I would like to store my mail in maildir format so that each message is stored as a file with .eml extension. Under advanced options "Message store type for new accounts" I have configured: File per message (maildir) When I view the per-message files, I see that a typical file name is 1528863314782000 without any extension (suffix). I would prefer file name 1528863314782000.eml, because Windows handles .eml files nicely. The behavior seems inconsistent with the documentation which specifies "using the EML extension": https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/maildir-thunderbird Is there any configuration setting to control the suffix for these files? Thanks! Note, someone has previously observed similar behavior using Thunderbird 45 for Linux: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=3026130

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This is a maildir like storage format for Thunderbird.

While I was not involved with the implementation, I would assume that it was very clear an conscious decision to not use a file extension. If for no other reason that to make sure Windows did not mess around in the profile folder and to discourage users from doing the same thing.

Reading over some of the bug indicates folk with all sorts of ideas on accessing their mail other than with Thunderbird. That is a bad idea, even allowing the Windows search function to index the folders is often a cause of intermittent hangs.

I suggest you look at these bugs. https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=845952 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=402392 https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=58308

In the mean time I will see about correcting the article you refer to to align with what actually happens. (done now, although probably have to revisit it before TB60 releases)