Thunderbird for gmail archiving - All Mail help please

Hi, Forums - I am a new Thunderbird user based on on-line research suggesting Thunderbird as the best way to relieve gmail account with local mailbox archiving. My gmail … (funda kabanzi)

Hi, Forums - I am a new Thunderbird user based on on-line research suggesting Thunderbird as the best way to relieve gmail account with local mailbox archiving. My gmail is out of storage by end of the month and my plan was to move a bunch of old messages into local Thunderbird mailbox to clear room in the google account. I have set up Thunderbird successfully with gmail using IMAP connectivity option. Thunderbird shows same folder structure as labels in gmail and displays all messages from the oldest to newest. So then I tried the "archiving" by setting up a folder structure under Thunderbird's Local Folders. Specifically, to start with I I set up Inbox_archive and Sent_archive and used right click Move To > Local Folders > Folder name to move old messages from live ...@gmail.com tree to Local Folder tree. Since there is also an option Copy To, my understanding was that Move should be different from Copy by also removing messages from gmail and move them to Local folders. At a first glance these steps seemed to work. I see unique old messages in Thuderbird Local Folders. I don't see these messages in Thunderbird's gmail inbox/sent and I also don't see these messages when I search in on-line gmail in:inbox and in:sent. I noticed, however, that google storage size didn't budge. I moved a thousand of more messages in the same way (thinking maybe older messages were just small) and the storage still didn't decrease. I then looked around in on-line gmail and found the messages that I presumed "archived" still sitting in gmail's All Mail. This explains why the storage size didn't change. I searched on the forum and on-line and can't get a confident answer on what am I missing to actually remove the messages from gmail - ideally in the most straightforward manner in one action as a cut and paste from on-line to local folders. Are there any IMAP/account settings that I should have so that Thunderbird's "Move to" actually removes messages from on-line account? Or is there a different archiving command/strategy I need to use?

I am hesitant to do any more trial and error on my own since I already messed up my gmail by having now thousands of messages still sitting in All Mail without proper Inbox and Sent tags and, thus, would appreciate the recommendation from someone who is familiar with my use case.

Thank you.

Asked by GP 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by operaflute 2 emasontweni adlule

I want Archives to save emails in seperate files

Hi, I need some help! Thunderbird used to have archive settings in which I could choose to save my e-mails locally in my archive folders with 1 file per 1 email and not e… (funda kabanzi)

Hi,

I need some help! Thunderbird used to have archive settings in which I could choose to save my e-mails locally in my archive folders with 1 file per 1 email and not everything that's in a folder saved to a single file.

How can I get this back? Is there some hidden settings that can be accessed to get it done?

I need every email in one file! I'm going nuts trying to sort years of e-mail duplicates. If I can have a file per message, then I can at least use my PC duplicate file program to compare file content and find the similar ones. But with everything of one folder in the same archive file I'll be cursed to have to manually go through thousands of e-mails by hand! So if there is a way to return the previous archive format (*wdseml files??, it seems?) then I want to know how to set that setting.

Alternatively a local folder duplicate e-mail cleaning tool? There used to be some but I couldn't get it to work now!

Asked by K_no_uta 2 emasontweni adlule

Last reply by Wayne Mery 1 isonto elidlule

As of today, Firefox gets an "Access Denied" when accessing goddady.com. Chrome works.

Access Denied You don't have permission to access "http://www.godaddy.com/" on this server. Reference #18.acf7d517.1771548295.4f66cee0 https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.acf… (funda kabanzi)

Access Denied You don't have permission to access "http://www.godaddy.com/" on this server.

Reference #18.acf7d517.1771548295.4f66cee0

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.acf7d517.1771548295.4f66cee0 is what I get when going to https:\goddady.com as of today. Running on Windows7 (no, I won't upgrade). Tried a variety of changes. But Chrome works fine. Any suggestions?

Asked by lyleleverich 3 emasontweni adlule

Last reply by Denys 6 ezinsukwini ezidlule

"Security Sandbox is disabled" pop up under toolbar

I recently opened Firefox to see a new flagged warning under my toolbar that says "The security sandbox is disabled. Your configuration is unsupported and less secure." I… (funda kabanzi)

I recently opened Firefox to see a new flagged warning under my toolbar that says "The security sandbox is disabled. Your configuration is unsupported and less secure."

I have gone into about:config and adjusted every security.sandbox element to see if that would change anything; it did not.

I am running on Windows 11 Home so I cannot install or properly run Windows Sandbox.

I would either like a solution to enable the sandbox once again, or just remove the notification from the toolbar.

Asked by Willow 3 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by .Rafael. 2 emasontweni adlule

Stop ThunderBird from Downloading All my Gmail Account Messages Locally.

I feel like this has been asked a million times, but yet I cant find a current answer that resolves it from all the posts on google. And some are conflicting. I added my… (funda kabanzi)

I feel like this has been asked a million times, but yet I cant find a current answer that resolves it from all the posts on google. And some are conflicting.

I added my gmail account. Imap. I dont want it downloading and saving thousands of emails. How do I stop that?

Is the only way to do that, by limiting the sync settings to like 7 days? Is this screenshot, the correct area?

I also tried Unsubscribing all the inboxes, Save, close. Then check the Subscribe pop up again, and it just re-checks them all! I cant uncheck them, it just rechecks them.

Asked by JOEY61 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Toad-Hall 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Moving Bulk Folder

Hi. Somehow, in Thunderbird Mail, I moved the "Bulk" folder into the "Trash" folder and now I can't reverse that. Some of my mail is going to the "Bulk" folder and I'm fo… (funda kabanzi)

Hi. Somehow, in Thunderbird Mail, I moved the "Bulk" folder into the "Trash" folder and now I can't reverse that. Some of my mail is going to the "Bulk" folder and I'm forgetting to check that, thus missing emails. Is there a way to move that "Bulk" folder back where it belongs? thanks in advance

Asked by vernsgirl57 2 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Rick 2 emasontweni adlule

Loss of Local Folders on upgrade to Windows !!

Yesterday I upgraded my PC from Windows 10 to 11. Today I discovered my Local Folders are not visible. Searching tells me the messages still exist, but TB does not show t… (funda kabanzi)

Yesterday I upgraded my PC from Windows 10 to 11. Today I discovered my Local Folders are not visible. Searching tells me the messages still exist, but TB does not show the folders. I did the same upgrade a month ago on a laptop (Windows 10 Pro to 11), no problems. I didn't externally back up the messages as I am a dinosaur and don't know how, but at least they are still on the hard drive. Thousands of them though so I need the local folders back. Tried all the fixes I can find on the Community Forum, without success. Can anyone help please? Bob

Asked by bob246 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by adelphiaUK 2 izinyanga ezidlule

Moving Thunderbird data from Win7 machine to a Linux Mint machine.

I use Thunderbird 115.18.0 on a Windows 7 machine. I wish to transfer all my Thunderbird data to a machine running Linux Mint 21.3 which has Thunderbird 128.12.0esr. I ha… (funda kabanzi)

I use Thunderbird 115.18.0 on a Windows 7 machine. I wish to transfer all my Thunderbird data to a machine running Linux Mint 21.3 which has Thunderbird 128.12.0esr. I have not been successful after many tries. Could this be because the Thunderbird revisions are different? If so, can I get 115.18.0 to install on my Mint machine? If not how should I proceed? I have already tried creating a new .thunderbird directory with ********.default directory from the other machine. I have also tried a new .thunderbird directory with a the ********default-release directory as directed by one site.

Asked by firefox1295 2 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Toad-Hall 1 inyanga edlule

Emails bouncing back

My old email server was Mediacom (mchsi.com). I had that email account plus a gmail account on Thunderbird. Sometimes people said their emails to my gmail account would b… (funda kabanzi)

My old email server was Mediacom (mchsi.com). I had that email account plus a gmail account on Thunderbird. Sometimes people said their emails to my gmail account would bounce. I changed email servers and no longer have the mchsi.com email or Mediacom server and have 2 gmail accounts on Thunderbird. The new one works fine. When I send an email to the old gmail account it bounces back saying "address not found. Your message wasn't delivered to ------@mchsi.com because the address could not be found or is unable to receive mail. 550 5.1.1 I had the tech that sold me the PC look at the settings on Thunderbird for the gmail account and he said they were okay. Where else can he check? Somehow the pc thinks that just that one gmail account is run through or attached to mchsi.com Kathy foggiak@gmail.com

Asked by Kathy Foggia 1 inyanga edlule

Last reply by Rick 1 inyanga edlule

stopped opening links in the apps

Even though I've never changed my settings aside from the first time I changed them to my preferred settings, for whatever reason, Firefox no longer opens links I tap on … (funda kabanzi)

Even though I've never changed my settings aside from the first time I changed them to my preferred settings, for whatever reason, Firefox no longer opens links I tap on in external apps. I changed the settings to do it that way the very first time and it worked fine up until a little while ago. Now, the only way it opens a link in the external app when I tap on it, is if I tap and hold, and then choose that option in the pop-up menu. As I said, in the settings it IS set to open links in external apps, but it doesn't do it anymore.

Asked by Toria 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Kiki 4 izinyanga ezidlule

Thunderbird 140 and win11 will not work. Gives error "Thunderbird is already running".

Win 11 and Thunderbird 140 not working and I have tried all the things I found on the internet and none of them work. I have tried cleaning my registry and deleted direc… (funda kabanzi)

Win 11 and Thunderbird 140 not working and I have tried all the things I found on the internet and none of them work. I have tried cleaning my registry and deleted directories and uninstalled thunderbird re-started and it will still not work.

I guess I have to forget thunderbird. It is a shame.

Asked by Drachir 2 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Toad-Hall 2 izinyanga ezidlule

Everytime I open thunderbird I get a blank screen with this message, 'Edge: Too many requests' over the top of the thunderbird screen. I have to change my screen resolution in order to close the blank screen.

Every time I open thunderbird I get a blank screen with this message, 'Edge: Too many requests' over the top of the thunderbird screen. This screen stays on my desktop … (funda kabanzi)

Every time I open thunderbird I get a blank screen with this message, 'Edge: Too many requests' over the top of the thunderbird screen. This screen stays on my desktop after I close Thunderbird and I have to change my screen resolution in order to close the screen. Can you help please? Martyn Smith

Asked by m40740512 4 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Wayne Mery 4 izinyanga ezidlule

Why are popups now required to see images in my emails???

Something horrible and time-consuming has changed within this past week to Thunderbird. My version is 140.7 1esr 64bit. Over the past 4 days or so, I've found I cannot… (funda kabanzi)

Something horrible and time-consuming has changed within this past week to Thunderbird. My version is 140.7 1esr 64bit. Over the past 4 days or so, I've found I cannot scroll down and see the full emails--until I have to use this new pop-up system.

This is definitely not an improvement in my estimation. Is there any way to undo this?

Asked by Carol Anne 1 inyanga edlule

Last reply by Mapenzi 2 emasontweni adlule

Lost the indicator showing which folder I'm in

I have lost the indicator in the folder pane showing which folder I'm in. It used to have a small color tab in the folder pane on the left hand side. Indicating that the … (funda kabanzi)

I have lost the indicator in the folder pane showing which folder I'm in. It used to have a small color tab in the folder pane on the left hand side. Indicating that the folder was selected. Any ideas to get it back? Thunderbird 140.3.1esr (64-bit)

Asked by hal2010 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Toad-Hall 5 izinyanga ezidlule

CTRL + Shift + K doesn't work

Went to search for someone in the Quick Search and it did not bring up their emails in the folder, which exist as I confirmed by sorting alphabetically and finding them. … (funda kabanzi)

Went to search for someone in the Quick Search and it did not bring up their emails in the folder, which exist as I confirmed by sorting alphabetically and finding them. Why is this?

Asked by Kevin Entwistle 1 inyanga edlule

Last reply by Rick 1 inyanga edlule

140 crash (David)

If there's one thing I can count on, it's that the next version of Thunderbird will be more buggy & unstable that the previous version, and v 140 certainly does not d… (funda kabanzi)

If there's one thing I can count on, it's that the next version of Thunderbird will be more buggy & unstable that the previous version, and v 140 certainly does not disappoint in that category. It crashes & closes multiple times per day. Any time something else may be using a lot of resources, Thunderbird freezes up and if I click on it, the app crashes & closes. At least the previous just stayed greyed out until it was able to complete the task and didn't crash & close. Great job Mozilla.

Asked by David Eddy 5 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Wayne Mery 4 izinyanga ezidlule

UNABLE to merge lost account contents with new account (need to rebuild it)

Oct 23, 2025, 19:35 CST I FINALLY was able to find the original profile, all messages in the In Box, plus all folders with their contents. 'Lost' when our ISP's ' tech s… (funda kabanzi)

Oct 23, 2025, 19:35 CST

I FINALLY was able to find the original profile, all messages in the In Box, plus all folders with their contents. 'Lost' when our ISP's ' tech support person ' had me close/remove the TB POP3 account and create an IMAP account).

I need to merge the new small profile (In Box & with basic folders) into - onto the BIG, original, profile. So each time I get/check mail everything goes to, ends up in, the Thunderbird account containing all the OLD data and new working account.

Please remember I am barely TB literate, so start at 1 (A), not 27 (Z)& no tech words. Nor acronyms please.

Thanks! Remain in GOOD health, be WELL, 'n be

    • SAFE!**

Robin

Asked by Dulca 4 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by david 2 izinyanga ezidlule

Thunderbird address book import not allowing Match Field names screen on subsequent Attempts.

Yes this is the problem when working with Thunderbird’s import of a CSV file, the Match field names option only is allowed on the first attempt. That told me that the so… (funda kabanzi)

Yes this is the problem when working with Thunderbird’s import of a CSV file, the Match field names option only is allowed on the first attempt. That told me that the source fields and first Record columns did not have useful fields to even try to Match field names. So I went and edited the CSV file to try to get at the Match Field names option but it was not available no matter what I fix or tried. So to me the problem is with Thunderbird’s “ surmising that since I was given the Match field Names screen that I Thunderbird never gives the Match Field names on subsequent attempt. Thunderbird needs to give the Match field Names screen as an option on every attempt not just the 1st attempt.

The below screen was given to me by one of the consultant’s attempt. And you can see that he had a CSV file with the THUNDERBIRD’s preferred CSV options!!!

Asked by ghbgiest 1 inyanga edlule

Last reply by Wayne Mery 3 emasontweni adlule

PDF Editor issues in v146.0 64bit on windows 10 pro

I'm begining to regret installing v146.0! One of the most useful features of Firefox is the PDF editor and with this update, I've found that after annotating a PDF with s… (funda kabanzi)

I'm begining to regret installing v146.0!

One of the most useful features of Firefox is the PDF editor and with this update, I've found that after annotating a PDF with several text boxes, clicking the text box icon (as shown in the attached screenshot) does absolutely nothing and it is impossible to enter any further text. The only way out of this is to refresh the pdf (after saving otherwise all changes will be lost) and then starting all over again only for the error to repeat itself making the editor almost unusable. Would really appreciate knowing how to work around this especially since to make my notes clearer, I change the color and the font size which is all lost everytime I have to refresh the PDF :-(

Incidentally, why are there so many updates? I prefer stable software that works rather than 'new features' that I never use!

Finally, Firefox used to have an amazing facility of making the Firefox private browser the default browser for Windows 10 but this was removed some years ago and can only be reinstated by changing registry keys. Everytime there's an update, these registry keys are overwritten :-(. Why was such a useful feature removed please?

Thanks in advance.

Asked by wotho 3 izinyanga ezidlule

Last reply by Denys 2 izinyanga ezidlule