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Unexpected deletion of messages on server

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  • Last reply by robbell1

robbell1
robbell1
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I am restoring Thunderbird from backups on a new laptop. In the last version I used, I could configure when messages were to be deleted from the server and that appears to no longer be the case. As an experiment I moved all messages in the restored primary Trash folder to the Trash folder under Local Folders. When I went back to Earthlink webmail webpage, all messages in that Trash folder had been removed even though none had been imported into Thunderbird. If this is the intended behavior, I am now wary of importing from my inbox in case a message arrives while the import is in progress and is deleted without me seeing it in either place. Why are message deleted from the server which are not in Thunderbird? Or am I missing something?

I am restoring Thunderbird from backups on a new laptop. In the last version I used, I could configure when messages were to be deleted from the server and that appears to no longer be the case. As an experiment I moved all messages in the restored primary Trash folder to the Trash folder under Local Folders. When I went back to Earthlink webmail webpage, all messages in that Trash folder had been removed even though none had been imported into Thunderbird. If this is the intended behavior, I am now wary of importing from my inbox in case a message arrives while the import is in progress and is deleted without me seeing it in either place. Why are message deleted from the server which are not in Thunderbird? Or am I missing something?

Chosen solution

Did not notice that default was now IMAP not POP.

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robbell1
robbell1 Question owner
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OK, my mistake. The messages I saw were taken from the server and were not restored from backup after all. Since I had unchecked the "Check for new Messages" boxes under Server Settings, I assumed that no messages would be retrieved. Furthermore, they still are being retrieved and I do not see a way to prevent it. This behavior is so different from what I am used to I do not have confidence I know enough to continue using the tool safely.

robbell1
robbell1 Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Did not notice that default was now IMAP not POP.