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Thunderbird Moves Emails to Spam

  • 8 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 27 views
  • Last reply by sfhowes

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Windows 10 Pro - Thunderbird - Both Latest Versions

I've been using Thunderbird for decades. The first email account was a POP3. Several years ago I added a Gmail IMAP account.

A couple of weeks ago messages sent to and received from bona fide persons, most I've known for years began disappearing.

Without taking all day, 88 such messages were found in Spam. I've tried marking them NOT Spam. They go to the Inbox, moments later they appear in Spam again. I've tried moving them to the Inbox. They go to the Inbox, moments later they appear in Spam again.

I've documented the process with 19 screenshots. The JPGs range from 178 KB to 295 KB in size. I browse to the proper folder, select a file, and upload begins. They are taking FOREVER to upload. #3 is still spinning it's wheel.

There must be a better way to get the others added to this case. How?

Thanks, rsw1941

Windows 10 Pro - Thunderbird - Both Latest Versions I've been using Thunderbird for decades. The first email account was a POP3. Several years ago I added a Gmail IMAP account. A couple of weeks ago messages sent to and received from bona fide persons, most I've known for years began disappearing. Without taking all day, 88 such messages were found in Spam. I've tried marking them NOT Spam. They go to the Inbox, moments later they appear in Spam again. I've tried moving them to the Inbox. They go to the Inbox, moments later they appear in Spam again. I've documented the process with 19 screenshots. The JPGs range from 178 KB to 295 KB in size. I browse to the proper folder, select a file, and upload begins. They are taking FOREVER to upload. #3 is still spinning it's wheel. There must be a better way to get the others added to this case. How? Thanks, rsw1941
Attached screenshots

Modified by rsw1941

All Replies (8)

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Attempt to upload #3 from reply, no better.

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'Spam' indicates something other than TB is filtering the mail (TB use the term 'Junk'). Access the account in webmail and whitelist or unblock the senders, possibly by adding them to webmail contacts. The mail provider is filtering before mail is downloaded to TB.

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sfhowes,

Thank you for such a prompt reply. A couple of thoughts:

- I don't know how the Spam folder was created, but I did not knowingly do so. - This problem arose in the past couple of weeks. It affects names that have been in my Address Book for years, as well as a few I've only just begun to communicate with. - It is not logical that something other than TB "blacklisted" individuals from both groups of people at the same time.

Several questions:

- Why would some outside force affect only 88 email messages? - How could any TB routine possibly delete emails from my computer? - Isn't this more likely to be a provisioning or configuration issue? - When you say access the account in webmail, do you mean in TB? - Is there a guideline for how best to configure TB? - How can I efficiently upload the rest of the images?

Thank you, rsw1941

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The Spam folder is a built-in property of the mail server, and is usually subscribed in TB IMAP accounts. Spam filtering is separate from TB's Junk Controls. I don't recommend using both at the same time, since it leads to obvious confusion as to 'who' is blocking senders. Either process might delete spam/junk according to their individual settings.

Accessing an account in webmail is e.g. like viewing a gmail account on the gmail website.

A guide to TB Junk Controls.

Personally, I only use the mail providers' spam filtering, and subscribe the Spam/Junk/Bulk Mail folders to occasionally view the contents.

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sfhowes,

Thank you for your patience and for answering some of my questions. Unfortunately, I remain confused.  : )

The Spam folder is a built-in property of the mail server, and is usually subscribed in TB IMAP accounts.

  • Any idea how a "Spam" folder appeared in Thunderbird?

Spam filtering is separate from TB's Junk Controls. I don't recommend using both at the same time, since it leads to obvious confusion as to 'who' is blocking senders. Either process might delete spam/junk according to their individual settings.

  • That makes sense. Does this mean Spam Assassin is CHECKED?
  • Do I check all blocks that appear to say my Address Books over-ride Spam Assassin?

Accessing an account in webmail is e.g. like viewing a gmail account on the gmail website.

  • Thanks. I don't think I've ever done that for gmail.

A guide to TB Junk Controls.

Personally, I only use the mail providers' spam filtering, and subscribe the Spam/Junk/Bulk Mail folders to occasionally view the contents.

  • So, shall I ignore the guide? I tried to wade through it, but only got mired deeper into complexity I really didn't follow.

Would you mind answering other questions in my list?

Thanks, again, rsw1941

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sfhowes,

Additional information: - I found that both Junk mail and Spam Assassin were in play. - So, I first unchecked the 4 Address Book options - Then turned off adaptive Junk Mail option - Kept Spam Assassin On.

I created a folder in the gmail account named 88-Messages. Then copied 88 from Spam folder and placed them in 88-Messages. Now they were in two places From 88-Messages, selected Copy To - Inbox. All 88 messages were Cut (not copied) from 88-Messages Folder, placed in Inbox, then removed from Inbox. They're still in Spam folder.

HOW do I remove whatever Flag has been set on these 88 messages so they can be put back in my Inbox and then sorted into other appropriate group folders?

rsw1941

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rsw1941 said

sfhowes, Thank you for your patience and for answering some of my questions. Unfortunately, I remain confused.  : ) The Spam folder is a built-in property of the mail server, and is usually subscribed in TB IMAP accounts.
  • Any idea how a "Spam" folder appeared in Thunderbird?
If the provider configuration includes a Spam folder, it would usually appear when the account was added to TB, e.g. as in the case with gmail.
Spam filtering is separate from TB's Junk Controls. I don't recommend using both at the same time, since it leads to obvious confusion as to 'who' is blocking senders. Either process might delete spam/junk according to their individual settings.
  • That makes sense. Does this mean Spam Assassin is CHECKED?
  • Do I check all blocks that appear to say my Address Books over-ride Spam Assassin?
Spam Assassin is optional if TB's Junk Controls are enabled. I don't know how it interacts with TB.
Accessing an account in webmail is e.g. like viewing a gmail account on the gmail website.
  • Thanks. I don't think I've ever done that for gmail.
A guide to TB Junk Controls. Personally, I only use the mail providers' spam filtering, and subscribe the Spam/Junk/Bulk Mail folders to occasionally view the contents.
  • So, shall I ignore the guide? I tried to wade through it, but only got mired deeper into complexity I really didn't follow.
TB Junk Controls are entirely optional.
Would you mind answering other questions in my list? Thanks, again, rsw1941
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rsw1941 said

sfhowes, Additional information: - I found that both Junk mail and Spam Assassin were in play. - So, I first unchecked the 4 Address Book options - Then turned off adaptive Junk Mail option - Kept Spam Assassin On. I created a folder in the gmail account named 88-Messages. Then copied 88 from Spam folder and placed them in 88-Messages. Now they were in two places From 88-Messages, selected Copy To - Inbox. All 88 messages were Cut (not copied) from 88-Messages Folder, placed in Inbox, then removed from Inbox. They're still in Spam folder. HOW do I remove whatever Flag has been set on these 88 messages so they can be put back in my Inbox and then sorted into other appropriate group folders? rsw1941

If they are moved to Spam by gmail's spam filters, you have to mark them as not spam through gmail webmail. Adding the senders to webmail Contacts might keep them from being marked as spam in the future.