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I cannot find the Outbox, so how do I delete unsent messages?

  • 8 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 1071 views
  • Last reply by zezmer

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Whenever I open and/or close Thunderbird, I get a message asking whether unsent messages can be sent out. When I say "yes," I get a message telling me that the message could not be sent out. Therefore, because I have no idea where unsent messages are stored, I cannot view them and then delete them. Is there an Outbox somewhere, and are the unsent messages stored there? i do not see an Outbox and I don't know how to add an Outbox so that this unsent message issue can be resolved once and for all.

Whenever I open and/or close Thunderbird, I get a message asking whether unsent messages can be sent out. When I say "yes," I get a message telling me that the message could not be sent out. Therefore, because I have no idea where unsent messages are stored, I cannot view them and then delete them. Is there an Outbox somewhere, and are the unsent messages stored there? i do not see an Outbox and I don't know how to add an Outbox so that this unsent message issue can be resolved once and for all.

Chosen solution

If you use 'Send Later' option then all unsent messages will be stored in the 'Outbox' folder. If Thunderbird is operating in 'Offline' mode, then this is where all the to be sent emails will be stored.

All of your mail accounts will use this same Outbox folder for this purpose.

'Outbox' is a default folder located in 'Local Folders' in the 'Folder Pane' click on 'Outbox' folder to see any unsent emails.

To send any unsent messages: Right click on 'Outbox' and select 'Send Unsent Messages'.

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All Replies (8)

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On the somewhat fresh installment I use, there is an Outbox under "Local folders" in the userlist, but I don't think it's supposed to contain unsent messages.

However, if you can find a Draft folder in your E-mail account's folder list, it could perhaps contain some unsent messages that you can delete.

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The Outbox is under Local Folders and it's only purpose is to hold unsent messages.

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Thank you dandelionsprout and Airmail.

However, when I go to Tools > Account Settings > Local Folders, the only items under Local Folders are Junk Settings and Disk Space.

There is no Outbox.

I am using Thunderbird 38.6.0.

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We're getting closer, but it's not the settings for the account we're looking for, but the folders of the account. On a default setup that looks something like in this sketching, the Outbox should be placed at roughly this location.

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Why are you in account settings? It displays with your other folders in the Folder Pane on the left side.

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Chosen Solution

If you use 'Send Later' option then all unsent messages will be stored in the 'Outbox' folder. If Thunderbird is operating in 'Offline' mode, then this is where all the to be sent emails will be stored.

All of your mail accounts will use this same Outbox folder for this purpose.

'Outbox' is a default folder located in 'Local Folders' in the 'Folder Pane' click on 'Outbox' folder to see any unsent emails.

To send any unsent messages: Right click on 'Outbox' and select 'Send Unsent Messages'.

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I did not have an "Outbox" in my "Local Folders." I only had an "Inbox" and "Trash."

In the absence of an "Outbox," I created an "Outbox" under my e-mail account, thinking it would not hurt to do so and also why not see what happens?

Adding an "Outbox" under my e-mail account seems to have generated an "Outbox" under my "Local Folders" and, lo and behold, in my "Outbox" under "Local Folders" appeared that up-to-now-invisible unsent message. I was finally able to delete it!

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I did not have an "Outbox" in my "Local Folders." I only had an "Inbox" and "Trash."

In the absence of an "Outbox," I created an "Outbox" under my e-mail account, thinking it would not hurt to do so and also why not see what happens?

Adding an "Outbox" under my e-mail account seems to have generated an "Outbox" under my "Local Folders" and, lo and behold, in my "Outbox" under "Local Folders" appeared that up-to-now-invisible unsent message.

I was finally able to delete it!

Problem solved!

Thank you for your help in solving this Thunderbird nightmare!