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How to not make any changes on main email server?

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  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

globalnet
globalnet
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Hi there,

I would like to setup my thundirbird to not make any changes on the main email server, we are a group of people accessing and using the same email.

I want my thundirbird to be able to read all the emails but to not mark them as read on the main server so that the email will show as unread for my team.

Any help in this regard is highly appreciated.

Thanks, GN

Hi there, I would like to setup my thundirbird to not make any changes on the main email server, we are a group of people accessing and using the same email. I want my thundirbird to be able to read all the emails but to not mark them as read on the main server so that the email will show as unread for my team. Any help in this regard is highly appreciated. Thanks, GN

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I assume you are using IMAP. Emails are stored on the server. Thunderbird gets remote access to subscribed imap account folders, so you are seeing what is on the server. Anything you do is done on the server as the folders are synchronised and updated periodically. This means others can access the server and see the same.

So if an email is opened and read, that occurs on the server. This explains why your fellow workers can see emails marked as read on the server. This is how IMAP works. You are all looking at the same folders and emails.

Here are some possible options as workarounds which you could consider:

1. Create folders so emails which are being worked on by eg: person 'A' are moved to a 'Person 'A' folder.

2. If you open and read the email, choose to mark as 'unread' after reading.

3. Use right click 'Copy to' a folder in 'Local Folders'. This copy is not on server and so you can open to read it and it does not matter if marked as read and the original one in imap folder can stay unread, so keeping the server with unread mail. You could also set up a filter to put a copy in Local Folders which is designed for your use.

4. Switch off the option of automatically marking as read. This would mean you would then have to manually 'mark' > 'as read' when required. To switch off auto marking as read:

  • 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Display' > 'Advanced' tab
  • uncheck 'Automatically mark messages as read'
  • click on OK