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Archived messages not in proper folder structure

  • 2 replies
  • 3 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Bill Falls

Bill Falls
Bill Falls

I just archived my 2015 messages as I did in previous years without problems: open each folder, select all, "Archive." This time it went very wrong: only four folders totaling about 5% of my 2015 archive are organized as they were in my active folders; the rest of the messages, coming from about 20 active folders, are all in a single list in the 2015 root archive directory.

The only difference from past years is that I changed from a Windows 7 PC (originally XP, OS upgraded years ago) to a new Windows 10 PC in August 2015. I've had no problems with Thunderbird on the new setup until now.

I'll have to live with the 2015 mess, searching for any messages I need, as it would take much longer to sort all 2000+ messages into the proper file structure. I don't want to repeat the problem next year if there's a solution.

I just archived my 2015 messages as I did in previous years without problems: open each folder, select all, "Archive." This time it went very wrong: only four folders totaling about 5% of my 2015 archive are organized as they were in my active folders; the rest of the messages, coming from about 20 active folders, are all in a single list in the 2015 root archive directory. The only difference from past years is that I changed from a Windows 7 PC (originally XP, OS upgraded years ago) to a new Windows 10 PC in August 2015. I've had no problems with Thunderbird on the new setup until now. I'll have to live with the 2015 mess, searching for any messages I need, as it would take much longer to sort all 2000+ messages into the proper file structure. I don't want to repeat the problem next year if there's a solution.

Chosen solution

Right click the acccount in the folder pane and select settings. In the copies and folders pane for the account choose the archive settings for the account. Select keep existing structure and any other options you desire.

Your done, just remember it is a per account setting. so if you have three accounts you must set it for three accounts.

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Matt
Matt
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Chosen Solution

Right click the acccount in the folder pane and select settings. In the copies and folders pane for the account choose the archive settings for the account. Select keep existing structure and any other options you desire.

Your done, just remember it is a per account setting. so if you have three accounts you must set it for three accounts.

Bill Falls
Bill Falls Question owner

Very well hidden feature - thanks for pointing me to it. It's odd that a few folders and at least some of their contents were preserved in the 2015 archive even though the box wasn't checked.