We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Thunderbird Account removal - does it only affect local files?

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 58 views
  • Last reply by bryanmccrae

bryanmccrae
bryanmccrae
more options

I have two accounts set up in Thunderbird that access the same server, one via POP, one via IMAP, both using the same email address. I only use the IMAP account now. If I remove the POP account, will that affect what is one the server in any way, also will it affect the local IMAP account in any way?

Is there anything I should be aware of before deleting the account?

Thanks. Bryan

I have two accounts set up in Thunderbird that access the same server, one via POP, one via IMAP, both using the same email address. I only use the IMAP account now. If I remove the POP account, will that affect what is one the server in any way, also will it affect the local IMAP account in any way? Is there anything I should be aware of before deleting the account? Thanks. Bryan

Chosen solution

If you're happy that the IMAP based account shows you everything you want to see, then I'd happily go ahead with deleting the POP version.

When you delete an account, you're asked if you also want to remove the "data", meaning stored messages, filters etc. Leaving this option unchecked means that the data will be kept, but hidden. Of course it also means that you don't release any disk space.

But to answer your question directly, you can delete either account without affecting the other. In one case, POP, it's all stored locally, in the other it's all stored on the IMAP server. Deleting either doesn't touch what the other account uses. My main concern would be that there are old messages in the POP account that may not still be on the server and so would not be visible in the IMAP account.

Since I am a hoarder by nature, I'd probably copy all the messages from the POP account into the Local Folders account (or even the IMAP version) and deal with duplicates later on.

Unfortunately, it's not easy to compare email accounts to check for duplicates, or more importantly, unique (or non-duplicated!) messages.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

Zenos
Zenos
more options

Chosen Solution

If you're happy that the IMAP based account shows you everything you want to see, then I'd happily go ahead with deleting the POP version.

When you delete an account, you're asked if you also want to remove the "data", meaning stored messages, filters etc. Leaving this option unchecked means that the data will be kept, but hidden. Of course it also means that you don't release any disk space.

But to answer your question directly, you can delete either account without affecting the other. In one case, POP, it's all stored locally, in the other it's all stored on the IMAP server. Deleting either doesn't touch what the other account uses. My main concern would be that there are old messages in the POP account that may not still be on the server and so would not be visible in the IMAP account.

Since I am a hoarder by nature, I'd probably copy all the messages from the POP account into the Local Folders account (or even the IMAP version) and deal with duplicates later on.

Unfortunately, it's not easy to compare email accounts to check for duplicates, or more importantly, unique (or non-duplicated!) messages.

bryanmccrae
bryanmccrae Question owner
more options

Thanks, deleted now and all seems ok.