Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

I am unable to save to Thunderbird's "Drafts" folder. I get an error message as follows: "Malformed or missing literal in APPEND".

more options

I am unable to save to drafts folder. I get an error message as follows: "Malformed or missing literal in APPEND".

I have not updated my version 52.5.0 recently and have no idea why a previously functional e-mail browser will no longer save either automatically or manually to the drafts folder.

I am unable to save to drafts folder. I get an error message as follows: "Malformed or missing literal in APPEND". I have not updated my version 52.5.0 recently and have no idea why a previously functional e-mail browser will no longer save either automatically or manually to the drafts folder.

All Replies (7)

more options

Right click on your mailboxs -> Prefs -> Repair mailbox

more options

When I open the Thunderbird mail browser version 52.5.0 and a Windows 7 o.s. and left click on the "Drafts" folder to select it, then click on the "Edit" tab, scroll down to click on "Folder Properties" and then click on "Repair Folder" in the popup window, followed by clicking on the "OK" tab, there is no obvious reaction. . A retest attempting to manually or automatically save to the drafts folder continues to fail to save.

I still get the same error message "Missing or malformed literal in APPEND".

more options

Is your drafts folder empty? what about your other folders? what is the quoata left in them? can you create another folder and move test e-mails to it?

Also delete that particular e-mail, reboot your computer and test again

more options

The "Drafts" folder is empty as are most others. As I am at approximately 50% of my quota, that should not be a problem.

I am unable to save drafts to any new or older folder as drafts are not saved.

Thunderbird permits adding a new "Drafts" folder as a subfolder of others but does not permit deleting the original "Drafts" folder.

Deleting that draft e-mail is not a problem as no remnant of it is saved in any folder.

Reboots have no effect.

more options

I'm presuming you are talking about an IMAP mail account. Try removing the Draft folder and then subscribe to see it again.

Right click on imap mail account in Folder Pane and select 'Subscribe' Uncheck 'drafts' folder and click on 'Unsubscribe' click on 'OK

This should remove it. Exit Thunderbird and wait a short while for processes to complete.

start thunderbird. Right click on imap mail account in Folder Pane and select 'Subscribe' select the 'Drafts' folder and click on 'Subscribe' click on 'OK'

Now check this is selected in Account Settings. Right click on imap mail account in Folder Pane and select 'Settings' select 'Copies & Folders' Under Drafts and Templates keep draft messages in: select 'Other' and choose the imap Drafts folder on imap account. click on 'OK'

click on 'Write' select TO emails addresses compose email Save to draft

Report back on Results.

more options

Despite attempting to follow your instructions several times, I still get the same error message of "Missing or malformed literal in APPEND".

Specifically, I am unable to delete the “Drafts” folder as instructed despite having unchecked everything except “Drafts” and then clicking on “Unsubscribe” and the “OK” tab.

In addition, I tried the opposite method as you instructed by clicking on Subscribe and then unchecking “Drafts” and then clicking on Unsubscribe” which I believe would remove everything except the “Drafts” folder.

Regardless of which method is used I still get the same error message regarding the “literal in APPEND”

Using instructions by others regarding deleting all files in the Thunderbird profile that include “drafts” plus an extension, I still am unable to delete the “Drafts” folder.

All suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance, John Thomas

more options

Beerbaron23 said

Right click on your mailboxs -> Prefs -> Repair mailbox

I need more specifics about where to right click to find the Preferences and Repair mailbox option please