I don't understand why we see a second copy. You have run yourself out of space at times?

I think you could just start from scratch with this account: 1. In account settings, delete the account and tell it to also delete the data 2. With Thunderbird shut down, recheck the OS for any files that got left under imap.gmail.com and delete them 3. Start Thunderbird and add the imap account. 4. Immediately unsubscribe from "All Mail" folder, which for gmail is just an archive directory. You don't need it in Thunderbird. Right+click on the account and pick subscribe, then uncheck All Mail. Restart TB, shut it down, and delete the All Mail folders and files on disk.

Thanks. Your post gave me the confidence to proceed.Have done points 1..3 with a reinstall on top, but point 4 I simply cannot find. Will wait to see how space fills up, if it fills.

Anyway, in settings I have found these options that I believe account for my quadruple space requirement a) account/ copies & folders / Message archives / Keep message archives in it was on local folders , not on gmail server b) account / syncronization & Storage / Keep messages in all folders on this computer it was on, took it off

Thing is, I want to keep a copy of messages on the HDD, 11GB is no big deal. Which one of these 2 options do I leave ticked on?

Since I am in a housecleaning mood, it gives the option to delete the gmail set of folders...which kinda sounds ominous  :D That may be connected to one of the options I have just unticked.. The copy I would want on my HDD would go there or it stays in the root folders ?

Superb email client!

> b) account / syncronization & Storage / Keep messages in all folders on this computer it was on, took it off

This is the one you want enabled.

> Since I am in a housecleaning mood, it gives the option to delete the gmail set of folders...

"All Mail" is the one (and only one) that is suggested you unsubscribe.

p.s. you should not have two copies of Trash, Drafts, etc. But I don't know why there is in your case.