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

How to remove duplicate forlders under IMAP Inbox

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 54 views
  • Last reply by rsbrux

more options

I recently changed the servers on one of my IMAP accounts in Thunderbird. The new IMAP server uses "INBOX" as a root folder, which the old one did not. When I changed servers, Thunderbird created only the top-level folder "Inbox", with all other folders indented below it. After adding the root folder in the "Advanced" server settings, Thunderbird now shows these folders (Drafts, Sent, Spam, etc.) at the top level with the folder "Inbox". However, they also still appear s subfolders of "Inbox", a problem I don't have with another account which uses "Inbox" as a root folder path. How can I get rid of the subfolders, short of completely deleting and recreating the account. I don't want to recreate the account because the new account will then appear at the bottom of my account list, below other, less important accounts.

I recently changed the servers on one of my IMAP accounts in Thunderbird. The new IMAP server uses "INBOX" as a root folder, which the old one did not. When I changed servers, Thunderbird created only the top-level folder "Inbox", with all other folders indented below it. After adding the root folder in the "Advanced" server settings, Thunderbird now shows these folders (Drafts, Sent, Spam, etc.) at the top level with the folder "Inbox". However, they also still appear s subfolders of "Inbox", a problem I don't have with another account which uses "Inbox" as a root folder path. How can I get rid of the subfolders, short of completely deleting and recreating the account. I don't want to recreate the account because the new account will then appear at the bottom of my account list, below other, less important accounts.

Chosen solution

After restarting Thunderbird a few times, and then trying "Refresh" on the account in question, the problem solved itself, i.e., Thunderbird no longer shows any subfolders indented under "Inbox" in, they only appear at the same level as "Inbox". Thanks for the recommendation of the add-on "Manually sort folders". As many have written on its add-on page, it's surprising that this functionality isn't a standard part of Thunderbird.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

more options

Can you eliminate the subfolders by unsubscribing them? Right-click the account in the Folder Pane, Subscribe. If you have to recreate the account, it can be put to the top of the Folder Pane by setting it as the Default account in Tools/Account Settings, Account Actions, or there is the 'Manually sort folders' add-on for setting the order of accounts.

more options

Chosen Solution

After restarting Thunderbird a few times, and then trying "Refresh" on the account in question, the problem solved itself, i.e., Thunderbird no longer shows any subfolders indented under "Inbox" in, they only appear at the same level as "Inbox". Thanks for the recommendation of the add-on "Manually sort folders". As many have written on its add-on page, it's surprising that this functionality isn't a standard part of Thunderbird.