This is how it should be working. click on Write start composing After x minutes - depends on your settings - a draft is created and saved in 'Dratfs' folder. if you continue composing, after x minutes the original draft is resaved overwriting the original. If you send at this point, then the saved copy should be put into 'Sent' folder and the draft copy deleted.

If you choose to exit the compose and do not select the option to save then the draft is deleted and you have no copy. If you select to save, then the copy draft is updated and the Write window closes.

When you want to continue with the draft, there are two options. If you select the saved draft email and click on 'Edit' or right click on draft copy in list and select 'Edit Draft Message' this will allow you to edit the current draft and saving of that draft copy continues as previously mentioned. If you right click on draft copy and select 'Edit as new message', this opens in Write window and when you continue composing a new draft copy is created leaving the original draft in original state, so you effectively have two draft copies showing original and new.

So, you should be getting additional copies only if you are 'editing as new message'.

Check to see if the index needs fixing.

• Right click on 'Drafts' folder and select 'Properties'
• click on 'Repair folder'
• click on 'OK'

How frequently do you compact the 'Drafts' folder? check to see if there is some corruption going on with 'Drafts' folder.

• Delete all drafts you do not want. Ideally, complete any draft emails and send them, then delete all copies of any drafts remaining.
• Right click on 'Drafts' folder and select 'compact' to clean up the Drafts folder.

If the above does not fix:

• What OS are you using and is it 32 or 64 bit?
• What version of Thunderbird are you using?
• Is that Thunderbird version a win32 or win64 download.
• Are you using 'View' > 'Folders' > 'All'?
• Is the pop account name folder shown in Folder Pane and using it's own set of folders or is the pop account set up as a deferred account (also known as Global Inbox) which means you cannot see the actual pop account because it is using 'Local Folders' mail account?

Thank you for the reply.

I'm using the drafts normally: I write an email, TB autosaves, then I send it or close it to save\delete it (kinda rare). In the past this created 1 temporary copy, but now it's multiple non-temp ones.

Repair and Compact didn't solve the problem. Btw I tend to keep the Drafts folder empty.

Info: - Win7 Pro x64 (no Win10 pls) - TB v68.6.0 x64 (last version) - Folders>All yes - I'm using the Global Inbox

In Thunderbird Help > Troubleshooting Information click on 'Open Folder'

A new window opens showing the contents of your 'profile name' folder.

Exit Thunderbird now

Click on 'Mail' folder Click on 'Local Folders' folder Delete the 'Drafts' and the 'Drafts.msf' files.

In 'Mail' folder - click on 'pop mail account name folder Delete the 'Drafts' and the 'Drafts.msf' files.

Start Thunderbird

Please report back on drafts results when composing.

I think it worked! No more duplicates. Thank you :)

I had the exact same problem but I'm using IMAP.The solution by Toad-Hall fixed it for me as well ... with the appropriate adjustments for folder name for IMAP vs POP.

Thanks Toad-Hall!!! This problem has been making me nuts!! Thanks for helping to preserve what is left of my sanity.  ;)

I have to amend my response ... I figured out it worked on SOME of my email accounts, but not others.  :( I can see no difference between the configs of the different accounts so I have no idea why this solution worked for some but not others. Very disappointing.

Does anyone have any more ideas to try?

iluvemail If a question has a 'Chosen solution' and that solution worked for you then that's nice to know. If it does not work for you then you need to ask your own question. When you post a comment in someone else's question, you are sending them an email with your comment. They may not be able to help you. I only got an email because I had forgotten to stop following this question. Only the original postee of the question and anyone who has selected to follow the question will see comments. I'm letting you know about this because you have posted in two different questions that were not created by you and those questions already had a chosen solution which has not fully worked for you. When you create your own new question, then it is visible for anyone to see.