You mention this is an IMAP account.

Many servers auto empty the Trash folder or auto remove deleted emails that have been in the Trash for more than X days. They also often do the same on 'Spam' folders.

For example: eg: gmail auto empty every 30 days, yahoo empty every 10 days, spectrum auto empty every 3 days

When your Trash synchronises with server it will only display what is on server and thus delete anything not on the server. All IMAP account folders can only display what is displayed on the server in same folders - that is how IMAP accounts function.

So how do I save the messages in Trash on local machine in case I ever need to reference one?

So how do I save the messages in Trash on local machine in case I ever need to reference one?

It can be assumed that Emails you deleted are Trash and therefore unwanted. However, it is possible to delete an email in error or realise after a week that you really did need to keep that email as a reference. The delay before a server chooses to remove unwanted emails for good is considered by them as a reasonable period of time to allow the rescue an email erroneously put in the Trash.

The reason why they are auto clearing items from the Trash is to recover space on server.

I know this might sound a bit trite but do not store emails you think you still need in the Trash. Consider some of these ideas.............. One method you could use: You could create a 'TAG' and call it 'Trash' and then apply that TAG to emails you think are trash, but are unsure. This still means the 'Delete' button continues to put unwanted emails in the 'Trash' folder. Then at the end of each month, you could sort by 'TAGS' - locate the 'Trash' tags and choose to actually delete those you know you do not want to keep. OR Create a folder called 'Temp' and just put/move unwanted - Not deleted - emails into it as a temporary holding folder. Later you review it's contents and then select to Delete and they get moved to 'Trash'

Another method: you could change the instructions on what occurs when you click on 'Delete' - see a couple of options below. The following options would change what happens when you click on 'Delete'. Option 1: You could just get the email showing a strikethrough - not move to Trash'

• Right click on mail account name folder in the Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
• Select 'Server Settings'

When I delete a message:

• Select 'Just mark it as deleted'

Option 2: If you do not want to put deleted emails in the 'Trash' folder you could use another folder. Create a folder and call it 'Temp'. It should be auto subscribed to be seen, but make sure it is selected as Subscribed.

• Right click on mail account name folder in the Folder Pane and select 'Subscribe'
• click on 'Refresh'
• Select the 'Temp' folder and click 'Subscribe'
• click on OK

Then access the Account Settings for the account.

• Right click on mail account name folder in the Folder Pane and select 'Settings'
• Select 'Server Settings'

When I delete a message:

• Select 'move it to this folder' and choose the 'Temp' on account name.

• Select 'Synchronisation & Storage'
• I'm assuming you already have the 'keep messages in all folders.....' checkbox selected.
• Click on 'Advanced' button
• Make sure the 'Temp' folder is checked/selected.

This would then mean you would have to manually put emails - move them to the Trash folder when you know you really do not want them because just clicking on 'Delete' will no longer put them in the 'Trash'.