Emails stored on device
I just found out that Thunderbird's IMAP setting, which is supposed to leave all of my items on the email server, was still downloading them because of a defaulted checked box that allowed it to do so. I found the setting for all of my email addresses and unchecked the box, but there are still 40 GB of emails saved in the Thunderbird profile. Because of this, I am unable to copy my settings for my new PC I just had built. Is there a way to wipe the old downloaded emails from Thunderbird without deleting them from the server, like Gmail for instance?
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What checkbox are you referring to? IMAP accounts, by default, download copies of messages to PC so thunderbird can access them. Thunderbird syncs the copies on PC to the server, so if you delete from PC, thunderbird deletes from server. For your IMAP account, the messages on your PC are also on the server. There are no problems in copying settings. Most people do that by copying the full profile when setting up a new PC. Please be specific on your issues, and I'll try to assist.
IMAP accounts can choose to download only headers or full copies of emails and also can choose to do this on a per folder basis. Inaddition, if you want you can download full copies but only for X number of days.
Account SEttings 'Synchronisation & Storage' for the account Click on 'Advanced' button Any folder that is selected will download full copies of emails. If you do not select any folders then only headers get downloaded.
Under 'Disc Space' You can choose to synchronise the most recent x number of days So any folder selected to download full copies can use the setting to restrict what is fully downloaded.
Please note: As days go by more emails will get added, so you would need to compact the folder to remove the excess of fully downloaded emails - you will still see full list of emails in Message List as you will still need access to them, but only some will be fully downloaded.
Compact your folders - this removes all traces of previously downloaded mail which you need removing to reflect your synchronisation disc space choice. Right click on eg: Inbox folder and select 'Compact'
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