I simply do my archiving annually, using the options to store messages in a folder labelled by date and set to preserve the folder hierarchy. For each project where I might need to refer back to old messages, I overcome the fact that they are now split across multiple folders by use of a Saved Search folder per project.

Thunderbird's Archive folders are searchable, but creating a Saved Search means you will get only pertinent results when seeking a project specific message.

Oh, and you'll need to create your archives under Local Folders if your intention is to preserve messages whilst also removing them from the server.

Zenos said

I simply do my archiving annually, using the options to store messages in a folder labelled by date and set to preserve the folder hierarchy. For each project where I might need to refer back to old messages, I overcome the fact that they are now split across multiple folders by use of a Saved Search folder per project. Thunderbird's Archive folders are searchable, but creating a Saved Search means you will get only pertinent results when seeking a project specific message.

First Thunderbird Archive doesn't do any archiving automatically does it? Also it would archive locally not on the server?

Archiving can be done manually on selected emails. Archiving moves emails out of the mainly used folders into designated ones for more permanent storage, but still available to see within Thunderbird.

However, there is an addon that may help you to speed things up, but I've not used it. AutoArchiveReloaded:

• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/autoarchivereloaded/

As you want to keep emails, but delete originals off the server, then you need to create 'Archives' folder in 'Local Folders' with perhaps subfolders by year etc.

Make sure you can access and read emails you have moved to Local Folders mail account before deleting anything off server.

Toad-Hall said

Archiving can be done manually on selected emails. Archiving moves emails out of the mainly used folders into designated ones for more permanent storage, but still available to see within Thunderbird. However, there is an addon that may help you to speed things up, but I've not used it. AutoArchiveReloaded:

• https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/autoarchivereloaded/

As you want to keep emails, but delete originals off the server, then you need to create 'Archives' folder in 'Local Folders' with perhaps subfolders by year etc. Make sure you can access and read emails you have moved to Local Folders mail account before deleting anything off server.

I think i found how to use AutoarchiveReloaded. Now while archiving Thunderbird gives all the time not enough disk space I searched information, increased the cache. Checked files, nothing is more than 3GB It is still doing archives but it is scary to have this message appearing every minute.

In Autoarchivereloaded info, it says Choose "Extras\Autoarchive" now to start autoarchiving. I can't find that anywhere. Also it shows a window with the option to archive at startup. I don't have the same. Sorry i am new to Thunderbird.

Add ons are supported by their author. Check their page for instructions or contact the author.