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huge Inbox

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I have wondered in the past, why the Inbox file (without extension) is so big. Today I moved all subfolders and remaining message from the Inbox. So there is literally NOTHING in the Inbox, but the Inbox file is still nearly 3 GB. How is this possible?!? Are there invisible files, settings, etc. saved in it? Is there a way to reduce the file size?

Also the Drafts folder/file is 1 GB but there is nothing in it. I just emptied the Junk folder and it still shows up with nearly 1 GB. This is very strange.

Please advise! Thanks!

I have wondered in the past, why the Inbox file (without extension) is so big. Today I moved all subfolders and remaining message from the Inbox. So there is literally NOTHING in the Inbox, but the Inbox file is still nearly 3 GB. How is this possible?!? Are there invisible files, settings, etc. saved in it? Is there a way to reduce the file size? Also the Drafts folder/file is 1 GB but there is nothing in it. I just emptied the Junk folder and it still shows up with nearly 1 GB. This is very strange. Please advise! Thanks!

Chosen solution

Click the 3-bar appmenu icon in the upper right, Settings, General, Disk Space.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (5)

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Messages are just hidden from view when they are deleted, and are only permanently removed when the folder is compacted (Compact from the right-click menu).

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Compacting_folders

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Thank you for the helpful answer @sfhowes.

Unfortunately, the link leads to a page that has last been updated in 2017. I know how to compact individual folders, but I can't find the general option for automatic compacting in my version (102.9.1 (64-bit)) on my Mac.

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faithdance59 said

I know how to compact individual folders, but I can't find the general option for automatic compacting in my version (102.9.1 (64-bit)) on my Mac.

It should be a recent document: Compacting folders.

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Chosen Solution

Click the 3-bar appmenu icon in the upper right, Settings, General, Disk Space.

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Thank you - must have been some kind of temporary blindness - I finally found it after scrolling down for the umpteenth time