How to remove duplicate emails?
I have searched support and Thunderbird's own help for an answer to this without success which is why I'm asking here - I've found removing account, removing duplicate installs of the program and so on but surprisingly not emails.
The problem is that my ISP (BTInternet) have very recently stopped Thunderbird (and others?) from keeping messages on the server, any settings for maximum file size or headers only, so I had to remove that option, upon which I downloaded over 500 emails, many of which (if not all) were duplicates. Naturally I looked for a button to remove duplicates which I know was there many moons ago but seemingly not now? If it is still there, I can't find it.
So can anyone help/advise me please on a quick, easy method I can use to do this without having to go back and try to remove them all manually? I really don't have the time but if needs must ...
Thank you kindly, Nick
Chosen solution
Always try a right click when you can't see a control. Alternatively, IIRC it is under Tools in the old fashioned menu. Tap F10 or alt if you don't have the menu across the top.
You can probably also find it in the newer Application Menu which is accessed via a toolbar button with the horizontal bars, but I don't know my way around that menu and don't have one here in front of me right now.
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In order to remove duplicate message, you'll need an dd-on, like Remove Duplicate Messages or Remove Duplicate Messages Alternative.
Hello Onno
Thank you for your prompt response. I clicked on the first one, Remove Duplicate Messages (why on Earth did Mozilla remove this option from Thunderbird I wonder? Crazy) and downloaded the file to my desktop yet now I can't find out how to install the damn thing! This used to be easy in past versions too (currently using 52.1.0) but despite clicking on add-ons AND Add-on Manager, I can't see where install add-ons from file is so I can't install it! Again this was real simple and easy in the past so why it's been seemingly hidden now, I've no idea. Any help with this too please, Onno? The screen grab within the page where I downloaded the file from isn't current so it's completely different now.
Thank you, Nick
In the add-ons manager, you can click on the Gear icon on the top right and select Install from file. Alternatively you can go to the add-ons manager and search for Remove Duplicate Messages and install there directly from amo.
I don't think this option was ever part of Thunderbird, so maybe you had this add-on installed in the past, or you still have it installed, but it got disabled?
Thank you. If I'm mistaken about an option to remove duplicates in Thunderbird, I apologise and clicking on get add-ons doesn't have a search bar OR gears icon etc but I tried clicking on plugins instead and it appeared.
However my problem now is that I get a message it's unable to be installed because it's not a verified add-on! ARGH! (sound of my hair being pulled out at the roots!) so what now?
In the meantime I'll try the 2nd suggestion but have a feeling the same thing will happen. :(
ok Onno, I tried the 2nd method you suggested - putting remove duplicate messages into the search bar and this time it installed immediately and quickly. I've not run it yet but shouldn't have a problem. Why doing it manually should have refused because it's not valid I've no idea but thank you kindly. Hopefully all's well now. Mozilla don't make it easy though, do they?! :)
I don't believe this!! :(
Sorry Onno, we're not done yet. Yes it installed and is active in the add-on manager but how do I run the damn thing and from where? I've looked at and checked everything I can think of but I can't find it either in Thunderbird settings, the tabs etc on top OR settings. I'm back to square one, a total loss of understanding.
Anyone would think me a complete computer newbie and not someone who's had his own since 1981!! :D
Advice needed please. If I manage to sort it in the meantime, I'll come back and close this thing. :)
Chosen Solution
Always try a right click when you can't see a control. Alternatively, IIRC it is under Tools in the old fashioned menu. Tap F10 or alt if you don't have the menu across the top.
You can probably also find it in the newer Application Menu which is accessed via a toolbar button with the horizontal bars, but I don't know my way around that menu and don't have one here in front of me right now.
Thank you Zenos. Clicking Alt opened a menu at the top I had forgotten about and when I clicked on tools, the option to remove duplicates could be seen. Unfortunately when I clicked on it, it told me there weren't any so back to square one - deleting them manually but it's fine, at least I know they're not duplicated now. :)
I'll 'solve' this now and thank you too.
Cheers, Nick
Zenos said
.... Alternatively, IIRC it is under Tools in the old fashioned menu. Tap F10 or alt if you don't have the menu across the top.
What does IIRC translate to in Moz-lingo?
O