If you cannot delete messages in Thunderbird, it may be caused by a corrupted trash folder. Here is how to delete the corrupted trash folder and create a new one: # First, open your Profile folder: #*At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]], then select {menu Help}, and then {menu Troubleshooting Information}. The ''Troubleshooting Information'' tab will open. #* Under the '''Application Basics''' section, click on {button {for win}{for not tb52}Show Folder{/for}{for tb52}Open Folder{/for}{/for}{for mac}Show in Finder{/for}{for linux}Open Directory{/for}}. A window with your profile {for not mac}files{/for}{for mac}folder{/for} will open. # Close Thunderbird. # Open the {filepath Mail} (or {filepath ImapMail}) folder in your file manager (according to whether you are using POP or IMAP with the affected account). # Open the folder with your incoming mail server name (something like {filepath imap.googlemail<!-- -->.com} or {filepath pop.googlemail<!-- -->.com}). # Select the {filepath Trash} and {filepath Trash.msf} files and delete them. In some accounts, these may be named {filepath Bin} or {filepath Deleted}. # Restart Thunderbird. #* If you are using IMAP, a new Trash folder will be automatically created by Thunderbird. #* If you are using POP: #*# In the folder list, right-click on your account name and select {button New Folder...}. #*#Enter '''Trash''' as folder's name and confirm by clicking on {button Create Folder}. <br> The trash will reappear and you will be able to delete mail again. = recurring problem? = Here is a Linux script to generate the trash folder every time you start Thunderbird: <pre> #!/bin/sh for f in ./`cat ./profiles.ini | grep 'Path=' | sed s/^Path=//`/Mail/*;do [ -d "$f" ] && touch "$f"/Trash done; thunderbird </pre>

If you cannot delete messages in Thunderbird, it may be caused by a corrupted trash folder.

Here is how to delete the corrupted trash folder and create a new one:

1. First, open your Profile folder:
   • At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button , then select Help, and then Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
   • Under the Application Basics section, click on Show FolderOpen FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window with your profile filesfolder will open.
2. Close Thunderbird.
3. Open the Mail (or ImapMail) folder in your file manager (according to whether you are using POP or IMAP with the affected account).
4. Open the folder with your incoming mail server name (something like imap.googlemail.com or pop.googlemail.com).
5. Select the Trash and Trash.msf files and delete them. In some accounts, these may be named Bin or Deleted.
6. Restart Thunderbird.
   • If you are using IMAP, a new Trash folder will be automatically created by Thunderbird.
   • If you are using POP:
     1. In the folder list, right-click on your account name and select New Folder....
     2. Enter Trash as folder's name and confirm by clicking on Create Folder.
        

The trash will reappear and you will be able to delete mail again.

recurring problem?

Here is a Linux script to generate the trash folder every time you start Thunderbird:

#!/bin/sh
for f in ./`cat ./profiles.ini | grep 'Path=' | sed s/^Path=//`/Mail/*;do 
  [ -d "$f" ] && touch "$f"/Trash
done;
thunderbird