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Is there a "Never Compress and never ask" setting?

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by rsx11m

I want to set TB to never compress and never ask to compress.

Is this possible?

Jim /*

I want to set TB to never compress and never ask to compress. Is this possible? Jim /*

Chosen solution

If you never compact, it doesn't matter whether or not you clean out old messages. They will become invisible but actually never physically removed from your mailbox.

To get to the setting, click on "Options" in the [≡] menu. In the Advanced → Network & Disk Space tab, uncheck "Compact all folders..." and it won't bother you again for an automatic compact.

To occasionally compact a folder manually, right-click on a folder in the pane to the left and select "Compact" from the menu. There is also a Compact button which you can put on the main toolbar to make it easier accessible (right-click on the toolbar and select "Customize" from the menu, then drag-and-drop the button where you want it to appear).

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All Replies (4)

I don't know, but your Thunderbird will stop working if you never compact.

It seems silly to compress 200-300 emails since disk space is so cheap.

I regularly clean out old emails.

Jim /*

See my link below about what compacting does and then you will have a better understanding of what Compact does.

Please read: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Thunderbird_:_Tips_:_Compacting_Folders

In Thunderbird, the word "compact" does not have the exact same meaning as in other programs. Like when compacting .zip files, for example. Yes, it will make the Inbox file smaller BUT it will also clean out invisible messages that have been hidden in the file instead of deleted. Compacting on a regular basis (once a month) protects you from having the Inbox file get corrupted and improves the performance of loading your mail. When the file gets corrupted, you lose all your mail.

Good tip from a long time Thunderbird user: If you receive new email every day and delete unwanted and unneeded messages every day, you should compact the Inbox at least once each month, before problems develop. If you frequently delete older messages from your Trash folder, then you should also compact that folder monthly. Any folder from which you frequently delete or move messages can cause problems if it's not compacted for too long a time. (Link)

Compacting includes erasing the messages that you have marked "to be deleted" in the various folders and then rebuilding/recreating the index files. Sometimes the process doesn't complete or complete successfully on the first try and a second "compact" command is helpful in completing the procedure. (Link)

Modified by NoahSUMO

Chosen Solution

If you never compact, it doesn't matter whether or not you clean out old messages. They will become invisible but actually never physically removed from your mailbox.

To get to the setting, click on "Options" in the [≡] menu. In the Advanced → Network & Disk Space tab, uncheck "Compact all folders..." and it won't bother you again for an automatic compact.

To occasionally compact a folder manually, right-click on a folder in the pane to the left and select "Compact" from the menu. There is also a Compact button which you can put on the main toolbar to make it easier accessible (right-click on the toolbar and select "Customize" from the menu, then drag-and-drop the button where you want it to appear).