If you put emails into the 'Deleted' folder then it would be presumed they are not wanted.

Regarding the 'Deleted' folder - is it in the same account or another? I'm presuming same account.

Check to see if you have an auto set up to empty the Deleted folder.

• In Account Settings
• Select 'Server Settings' for the account.
• Look bottom right - at the bottom locate 'Message Storage'
• Is this selected: 'Empty Deleted folder on Exit' ?

Manual method of emptying the Deleted folder: If you right click on 'Deleted' folder and select 'Empty Deleted' Then you should see a pop up window asking you to confirm you want to delete everything. That window will always pop up unless you select the checkbox to not remind you each time.

re : It seems strange that the folders are all there but all their contents have been deleted. See if the index needs repairing:

• Right click on one of the deleted archive folders and select 'Properties'
• Click on 'Repair Folder'
• Click on OK

It's possible the Deleted folder was emptied, but if you have an imap account then maybe the folders were still subscribed to be seen.

If you logon to the BT webmail account via a browser, what do you see in the server 'Deleted' folder ?

AS a heads up: Do you have an Anti-Virus product which is allowed to scan your Thunderbird profile folders ? It's recommended to access Anti-Virus and set up an exception to not scan your profile folder because if it tries to fix anything then you are likely to lose all emails. AV products do not understand that a single file can contain many emails. If you want it to scan then at a minimum do not allow it to auto fix. You never want an AV to fix anything in your profile folder.

What OS are you using? What version of Thunderbird are you using?

Did you get Thunderbird from the official download website: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/ OR did you install from the Windows App Store ?

What Anti-Virus product are you using? Are you using a Pop or Imap mail account and is the account a BT email address using BT server settings?

Thanks Toad Hall, I've tried everything you've suggested and still no luck. It won't even let me delete the empty folders now either!! I've tried retrieving the emails through BT Mail and Outlook but it seems they're gone for good. I use Chrome on Windows and I downloaded Thunderbird from Google. I think I just have to accept they are gone and so I shall move on and be more cautious next time!🤔

re :It won't even let me delete the empty folders now either!!

If you are using an IMAP mail account then you need to unsubscribe from seeing those folders.

• Right click on the bt imap name folder in Folder Pane and select 'Subscribe'
• click on 'Refresh'
• Select the deleted archive folders and click on 'Unsubscribe'
• click on 'OK'