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Delete messages over 400 days

  • 3 cavab
  • 1 has this problem
  • 18 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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I have Thunderbird set to delete all messages older than 400 days. Thunderbird deletes them, but does not send the delete stubs to Google. Next sync, they are re-downloaded from Google. The cycle goes on and on until I manually delete them from Google.

I have Thunderbird set to delete all messages older than 400 days. Thunderbird deletes them, but does not send the delete stubs to Google. Next sync, they are re-downloaded from Google. The cycle goes on and on until I manually delete them from Google.

All Replies (3)

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I'm assuming you have an IMAP mail account.

Here is a link to info on deleting in IMAP mail accounts: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Deleting_messages_in_IMAP_accounts

IMap deleting is different from Pop mail account deleting. It is perfectly appropriate for a deleted message in a IMAP account to be visible in webmail or other email clients. Deleting a message just sets a flag, and it's up to the GUI what it should do when there is a message with that flag set. However, once Thunderbird compacts (expunges) that folder, the deleted message shouldn't be visible any more from webmail or any email client because it has been physically deleted.


Read section : Misc Tools -> Account Settings -> Server Settings -> Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit will compact the Inbox folder when you exit Thunderbird. If you check "Empty Trash on Exit" it will also empty and compact the Trash folder when you exit.

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Yes, Google is IMAP and that is what Thunderbird is loading. I had Empty Trash On Exit checked, but not Expunge. I checked this and I still see messages over 400 days. Thunderbird is still cycling the deletes and downloads.

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the expunge will perform the compact on the Inbox.

Do you use this to compact all folders File > compact Folders