Where are unsent messages stored? (hint: not in Outbox)
Every few minutes when it automatically checks if I've got incoming email, Thunderbird (78.13.0) pops up a window that says:
Unsent Messages X ? Do you want to send your unsent messages now? □ Always ask me when I go online [Send Now] [Later]
I don't remember what these unsent messages were, and do not want to send them until I see them and perhaps decide to delete them instead of sending. I understand that unsent messages are "supposed to be" in the Outbox, but my Outbox is empty! I keep getting this annoying pop-up that doesn't tell me where these messages are or allow me to access them. Where are they? How can I access them? Thank you. (P.S. Please don't tell me to upgrade to a more recent version of Thunderbird. That's not the problem!)
All Replies (6)
Check in Local Folders for unsent messages. There should be an Outbox there.
Sorry, I guess I didn't make it clear in my effort to be brief in my initial query. When I wrote that the Outbox is empty, I meant the Outbox in the Local Folders. In fact, I don't know of any other Outboxes besides that one. It's quite empty, but Thunderbird still keeps asking me if I want to send unsent messages. I have no idea where else these might be hidden.
There is but one outbox and it must contain something for the message to appear. Try right clicking and selecting properties and then repairing.
I was so hoping that Matt's suggestion to repair the folder would work, but alas it did not. Attached is a screenshot taken after I'd done the repair, closed Thunderbird, and then reopened it - three times. Note the empty Outbox and the persistent message wanting to send unsent messages.
One option is to untick the reminder and click 'no' - that removes the nag. And, assuming there is 'something' in that outbox folder, you could create a dummy folder, then exit TB, then overlay the actual file, via File Explorer, over the outbox file, then restart TB and delete the dummy folder. That should guarantee that, should there be anything in the Outbox, it has been deleted. OR, just delete the Outbox folder.
Okulungisiwe ngu david
Has the outbox been changed somehow. (Thinking anti virus here)
Goto the more troubleshooting information on the help menu and click on show for the profile folder. Close Thunderbird. Editing in the profile when it is running is bad. It can lead to some very bad things.
When the windows file explorer opens, open the mail folder and then the "local folders" folder.
Locate the file UnsentMessages and its accompanying .MSF file, That should be size zero (it is empty) and the MSF just around 3Kb. Make a copy of both somewhere like a USB key (I might want to look at them if this works) Are there multiple copies of the files with numbers appended? If so treat the instruction as including them. Now delete the unsent messages files. Restart Thunderbird.
Please let me know how it goes. My guess is something is corrupted, but what I have no idea.