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Deleted messages not going into deleted folder

  • 15 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 15 views
  • Last reply by Queenmab100

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I am using an IMAP server and the most recent version of Mozilla Thunderbird. (I can't find the version but I just downloaded it this morning.) Under server settings, I have specified that deleted emails are to go into a "Deleted Items" folder. However, when I delete emails from my Inbox, they simply disappear. Any idea how to get them into the correct folder? I have attached a screen shot of server settings. Thanks for your help!

I am using an IMAP server and the most recent version of Mozilla Thunderbird. (I can't find the version but I just downloaded it this morning.) Under server settings, I have specified that deleted emails are to go into a "Deleted Items" folder. However, when I delete emails from my Inbox, they simply disappear. Any idea how to get them into the correct folder? I have attached a screen shot of server settings. Thanks for your help!
Attached screenshots

All Replies (15)

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Many times this is caused by a difference in your name on the trash-folder and the servers folder for the same thing. Subscribe to the right folder may fix it

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I don't have a trash folder. I have only a Deleted Items folder. Could you provide step by step instructions as to how to implement what you are suggesting?

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right-click on your account. subscribe. Often the "trash"-folder has an icon like windows "recycle bin"

change your settings on account setup so "move it to this folder" points to that folder.

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I did find the trash folder and can subscribe to it. However, I don't think I'm being clear. I want the emails I delete to go into the "Deleted Items" folder, not a trash folder. This is where they go on the primary computer I use but somehow on another computer I use ocassionally, they disappear instead. I want them all of my deleted emails in one place. And I have my account settings set to copy to "Deleted Items" but it's not doing that. See screen shots attached.

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I'm sorry about the misunderstanding. It works on one but not on another, (right?) You have the same add-ons updated to latest versions on both mascines? Is there any difference at all? If not would you be able to copy one profile to the other?

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Yes, on my primary computer, emails which I delete go into my "Deleted Items" folder. On this second computer, they simply disappear although, as far as I know, the account settings are the same and I only added one add-on to both computers - the one that lets you import emails.

I don't have access to my primary computer now (it's on the other side of the country) but if I do get access to it, how would I copy the profile from my primary computer?

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How to move / copy your profile

Just a thought, Don't you get a lot of spam? Do you keep that as well? (Doesn't bestweb have limits) Do you compact your folders?

One question thou, your "deleted items" folder is on the server (right) Can you access it thru webmail and does it have your newly deleted mails in it? (In that case its about syncing)

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Bestweb does a great job of removing spam before it ever gets to my inbox. I get maybe 4-5/week and I permanently delete those.

I haven't done any compacting of folders yet, as I just started using Thunderbird a few weeks ago. Every 6 months, I move my 'Sent' and 'Deleted Items' to a local folder, where they are stored offline.

The "Deleted Items" folder is on the server. If I access it thought webmail, it has the same emails as Thunderbird on this computer. Using Thunderbird on this computer, I sent myself a test email and then deleted it. It does *not* appear in my Deleted Items folder on this computer nor does it appear in the Deleted Items on my webmail.

I also sent a test email to myself through webmail. If I delete it in webmail, it will show on my Deleted Items folder in webmail and in Thunderbird on this computer.

So, it seems it has something to do with Thunderbird. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.

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This sound strange to me: If you delete it in webmail it turns up in Deleted Items (DI) What are the server-settings to do this? Does the server move all trash to "DI"? Then do you need to set TB to do the same?

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That is a good question. I'm not sure how the server knows to send the emails I delete to the DI folder. It's just always been that way on my primary computer. I would like to set TB to do the same, but I can't figure out how. Under the account settings on this computer, the 'server settings' specify that when an email is deleted, it should go to the DI folder. See screen shot attached.

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Just spoke with my ISP, Bestweb. On their webmail, when I delete an email, the default is to send it to the DI folder. So, why won't Thunderbird do the same, particularly when I have it specified to do so in my server settings?

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Bestweb either uses DI as a backup-folder or as the trash-folder. With IMAP all you see on your computer is a "view" of whats on the server. The originals are still there. You might have a copy.

Check how sync is setup

What puzzles me is that Bestweb put deleted mails in DI (and not in trash) Also the icon for DI is a standard folder not a trash-can. (maybe no big deal) You could try pointing deleted to trash and test to delete a mail. Were does that end up?

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Thanks for your suggestions. I'm not sure what you mean by this:

"The originals are still there. You might have a copy."

How do I "check how sync is setup"?

I subscribed to the trash folder and then set the server settings to send deleted emails to trash. Then, sent myself a test email and deleted it. It's not in the trash folder or the DI folder, either on this computer or on webmail.  :-(

Thanks for any tips.

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If your test-mail ended up in DI on the server but you couldn't see it in your client then it would be a sync-problem. I want you to check what your mail.server. ???????.delete_model is set to. To find it: tools /option / advanced / button "config editor" Promise to be careful and search for delete_model

If .... standard ... is set to 2 change it to 1 (reset it) if ......server?..... is set to 2 reset it. (We are using standard)

search for trash_folder_name It should say: Deleted Items

exit and restart Tbird

About "you might have a copy". I just wanted to point out that all mails are on the server and IMAP makes Tbird into a "viewer". Anything you do with incoming mail you do on the server. You download a copy to read and respond to. If you move a mail outside the servers "jurisdiction" or delete it. The mail is marked deleted and copied to trash (DI) where it stays until you empty it and compact folders.

Modified by Gnospen

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Thanks. Am traveling for next 1 1/2 weeks and will not have time or access to alternate computer during that period. Thanks for your tips and will resume on 3/31.