With multiple accounts, how can I change the order that mail accounts are checked for new mail?
I have 3 different email accounts set up in Thunderbird. Each time I check for new mail, it always checks in this order:
- email #1
- email #2
- email #3
The number indicates the order I added the accounts to Thunderbird. Email #2 is my default account.
Is there a way to change the order so that a different email is checked first? For example, I would like to check for new mail in this order:
- email #2
- email #3
- email #1
I tried modifying various things in the Thunderbird profile prefs.js file, but nothing seemed to work. It always checked in the same order no matter what I changed. I also looked in the Windows 10 registry but couldn't find anything.
Maybe a combination of things needs to be changed in the prefs.js file that I'm not aware of. Can someone shed some light on this? Thanks.
Modified by stzm209
Chosen solution
I figured out how to do it. When modifying the prefs.js file, it checks accounts in the order of serverN, where N = server #. In general, if you change the server # (throughout the entire file) for each mail account to a numerical ordering that matches the order you want the accounts checked in, it works.
I'm not sure how idN affects it, but there was a corresponding matching identity # for each server #, so I changed the identity # to match also.
It's now checking accounts in the order that I want.
In case anyone else tries this, please remember to quit Thunderbird first and back up your original prefs.js file before attempting (at your own risk). ;)
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I'm using Mac, so it might be different. But, here's a few things you could try.
On the Menu, Tools, Account Settings: Highlight with your mouse, your Email #2. At the bottom of that column, click on Account Actions. Make sure Email #2 is the Default Account. I think it will check it first, but don't know what order will come after. (Mine usually checks so fast I have no way of seeing which one it's checking first.)
Also, you could try: in the same Dialog box of Accounts. Click on each account, starting with your Email #2, highlight Server Settings, Set Check for New Messages at 10 minutes for Email #2, then 11 minutes for Email #3, then 12 minutes for Email #1.
This probably won't make a difference for manually checking. These are the only settings I could find regarding checking the server.
Email #2 is already set as the default account. It does not check the default account first. It always checks email #1 first, which is the account I added first. This is all noted in my original post.
What I want is to set the checking order for manual checking. That is, when you click on the "Get Messages" button.
Chosen Solution
I figured out how to do it. When modifying the prefs.js file, it checks accounts in the order of serverN, where N = server #. In general, if you change the server # (throughout the entire file) for each mail account to a numerical ordering that matches the order you want the accounts checked in, it works.
I'm not sure how idN affects it, but there was a corresponding matching identity # for each server #, so I changed the identity # to match also.
It's now checking accounts in the order that I want.
In case anyone else tries this, please remember to quit Thunderbird first and back up your original prefs.js file before attempting (at your own risk). ;)
Wow, that's cool that you figured it out. Nice for you to share and help others, thanks. Did you use a text editor to edit the file? Or a special app?
Modified by lindaloulou
Yes, I just used a text editor, since it's a text file.