Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Change Default Email Setting

  • 6 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • Last reply by david

I have 2 email accounts on TB. Well, 3 if you count the Plusnet one being set up for IMAP and POP3. This email has been my main one forever, but Plusnet have sold it off to an independent company, which I've opted out of as it will become a paid service after 2 yrs. Both IMAP & POP 3 are set as my default email & I want to change it to my Yahoo email that I only set up on POP3.

My 1st Q. is: I can see the red delete button next to the default notice in Settings. Does this just stop the email being my default or will it delete the account entirely? I don't seem able to make the Yahoo account my default without undoing the default settings for Plusnet first (makes sense). But just want to be sure.

Q.2: Since setting up Yahoo email on TB, I noticed that while all my Inbox messages remain when downloaded on my PC, the Sent messages are being deleted to leave only the most recent (currently) 11 messages, like it is if I log in online to Yahoo webmail. Does this mean I need to configure it to IMAP as well to make sure nothing is deleted from my PC?

Eventually, I want to delete the Plusnet accounts entirely from TB. Although I am still receiving emails sent to this address, which is still quite useful, I cannot use it to send or reply to these emails. Also, since the sell off I've been receiving unprecedented amounts of spam/scam emails, especially to my iPhone (TB isn't set up on my phone).

I have 2 email accounts on TB. Well, 3 if you count the Plusnet one being set up for IMAP and POP3. This email has been my main one forever, but Plusnet have sold it off to an independent company, which I've opted out of as it will become a paid service after 2 yrs. Both IMAP & POP 3 are set as my default email & I want to change it to my Yahoo email that I only set up on POP3. My 1st Q. is: I can see the red delete button next to the default notice in Settings. Does this just stop the email being my default or will it delete the account entirely? I don't seem able to make the Yahoo account my default without undoing the default settings for Plusnet first (makes sense). But just want to be sure. Q.2: Since setting up Yahoo email on TB, I noticed that while all my Inbox messages remain when downloaded on my PC, the Sent messages are being deleted to leave only the most recent (currently) 11 messages, like it is if I log in online to Yahoo webmail. Does this mean I need to configure it to IMAP as well to make sure nothing is deleted from my PC? Eventually, I want to delete the Plusnet accounts entirely from TB. Although I am still receiving emails sent to this address, which is still quite useful, I cannot use it to send or reply to these emails. Also, since the sell off I've been receiving unprecedented amounts of spam/scam emails, especially to my iPhone (TB isn't set up on my phone).

Chosen solution

the yahoo button is greyed out because it is the default. if you click one of the others, that one becomes the default.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (6)

I will comment on question #1: To change the default, just click the desired account to be default. That's all you need to do. The delete button does as you stated; it deletes the account from thunerbird.

As I said, I don't want to delete the Plusnet accounts yet. I did try pressing the default button on the Yahoo settings, but it looked greyed out & didn't light up when holding the cursor over it. Whereas, both default buttons on the Plusnet settings remain active with the cursor.

I did notice there is now a yellow star next to the Yahoo account in settings, which may indicate that it is now the default? In which case, job done hopefully.

repeat message deleted

Modified by KevinGrey

Chosen Solution

the yahoo button is greyed out because it is the default. if you click one of the others, that one becomes the default.

You are very welcome. :)

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.