When you delete a message there is a copy written in Trash-folder and the original is marked "to be deleted at next compacting, don't show" Bulk (?) folder is that the same as spam-folder? An easy way of deleting spam is in right clicking and select empty spam just as you empty trash. Another way of deleting is by shift+del that doesn't make a copy in trash. Compacting is necessary but it can come in conflict with your virus-protection. As compacting is rewriting your folder-file it uses a temp-file until all is done before it replaces your old folder. The temp-file is scanned by your VP, again and again and .... every time preventing Tbird from continuing.

When i right click on the bulk folder there is no order for "empty Bulk " there is a delete under the heading of Folder with rename, or new subfolder. by clicking on the delete wont i get rid of the entire folder? i just want to empty it to save space. the way i have been doing is is to hold shift and an arrow key for the entire contents of the folder. the hit the delete button on the right side. this causes the "stopped script " warning to appear. but when i go to delete a few messages in my inbox Thunderbird locks up and is not responding for about 2 minutes. how do i stop the "not responding" from happening? I do not know if using Shift + Delete will clean out the bulk folder or take it off my folder list.

• I would set up an exception in your virus protection for the entire profile.
• Then look for Nstmp folders (See this help-page ) check and delete if possible.

Shift+ delete functions just as delete but without making a copy in trash. It only marks messages that are to be excluded in next compact. Thus not taking up additional space. Use it as you would delete

If you really want to keep your mails safe, make a backup. Use an add-on like ImportExportTools or a program like Mozbackup or just simply copy your profile to an external dev.

Do NOT delete the folder.

Your "bulk" is apparently named and created by you. It doesn't show a "red drop", does it? What is the function of that folder? And how does it get any messages?

If it is supposed to be the junk-folder then you have to tell that in account settings/junk settings see also Global Junk Preference

The bulk folder was imported from Yahoo as the spam folder. I did not set up this folder. Thunderbird named my Yahoo SPAM folder Bulk Mail. but it did not give me a way to clean it out. This is why I like hardware so much more than software. it either works or it doesn't. LOL. software can have to many ways to go wrong or to fix something. When it crashes it causes major problems not just with the program but with others as well. If a hard drive crashes you know it.

Is there anything in "bulk" you need to keep? Move those mail to a local folder before you:

• Delete all of it on server using webmail. Control that it IS the spam-folder.
• Delete those folder-files in your profile. That's bulk. and bulk.msf using explorer. (Tbird NOT running)
• "Bulk" or Spam should be recreated when you start Tbird. If not control that (in IMAP) you have subscribed to that folder.
• Control that you set it up as a spam folder (see earlier answer).

You should have a red drop and an opportunity to empty spam.

(When a hd crashes it is a major thing. It's harder to reprogram hardware compared to software.)

> [hardware] either works or it doesn't.

This is actually a fallacy :)

That aside, agree with Gnospen. As a test, you can start in safe mode...

Start *Windows'* safe mode with networking enabled - win10 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/change-startup-settings-in-windows-10 - win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode - win7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7 - XP http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx

Still In Windows safe mode, start thunderbird in safe mode - http://support.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/kb/safe-mode

Does problem go away?

VolMan seems to have abandoned us :( Unfortunate