Explain: "To Recover Disk Space, Old Messages Can Be Permanently Deleted"
Please explain this option in Account Settings > Synchronization & Storage > Disk Space:
"To recover disk space, old messages can be permanently deleted, both local copies and originals on the remote server." [Then, there are options to allow you to decide how far back you want to save messages from deletion.]
First, I do see that this is not a global setting but is able to be set differently for each email account within Thunderbird, which is great. But it doesn't say whether these deleted messages will draw from EVERY folder or just the TRASH. I need the ability to apply this option to solely the TRASH folder, like "Delete messages older than 90 days," for example. There are messages in the Inbox that I need to save for a year or more, including emailed tickets or travel info, for example.
Look forward to your explanation!
Chosen solution
First, my apologies. I had overlooked the folder option. For your purposes, I recommend it. highlight the trash folder, rightclick, select properties, select retention period, UNTICK account settings and click the desired option. This is clear, unambiguous, and should do what you wish. I regret any confusion. To my knowledge, there is no grace period: thunderbird acts on the fly.
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I understand that what you appear to want is the ability to age the trash folder. This setting doe not do that, and I am not aware of any feature in Thunderbird that allows that. There may be an addon, but I don't know about any doing that. Others here may have different opinion.
So, this is interesting: I clicked on the option "Delete messages more than XX days." I inserted 180 (6 months). Then I changed my mind and went back to "Don't delete any messages." (I basically panicked, lol.) I then checked folders containing messages I wanted to save, and they were still there---but my Trash had deleted everything older than 6 months.
So, maybe Thunderbird just needs to change the wording to state clearly that this option (to delete messages of a certain age) is just for the Trash folder?
Would it have made a difference if I disconnected from WIFI first? Or do you think the same messages would have been deleted from my Trash, whether connected to WiFi or not? Also, does anyone know how much GRACE period you have, after you click on "Delete messages more than XX", before you increase the number from the Default 30 to something greater?
Other option: To be safe, ARCHIVE tickets and other important messages! (Should have done that initially!)
Chosen Solution
First, my apologies. I had overlooked the folder option. For your purposes, I recommend it. highlight the trash folder, rightclick, select properties, select retention period, UNTICK account settings and click the desired option. This is clear, unambiguous, and should do what you wish. I regret any confusion. To my knowledge, there is no grace period: thunderbird acts on the fly.
I WAS INCORRECT: THE DELETE OLD MESSAGES OPTION DOES DELETE FROM ALL FOLDERS--NOT JUST THE TRASH! YES, I thought I was safe, but when I went back, many old messages had been deleted. BE WARNED!
That was my understanding in original response. Use the folder option I proposed and I think it will do what you want
FOUND OPTION!!!: You must go to the individual FOLDER (in this case Trash) > Right Click > Folder "Properties" > "Retention Policies" > "Delete messages more than XX days"
I hope this is the correct solution!
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