Did you compact your folders? Deleting messages just hides them and marks for removal. Compacting actually removes them.

Hi They are compacted when over 10meg is the option.

thx

You can compact all folders immediately:

• File > Compact folders

But you then mention: but it keeps reinstalling all my emails from 2006 they dont show in veiw but do when I search for something.

It is not reinstalling all emails because you would see then either being downloaded and showing up in the Inbox.

But if you perform a 'Search', can you click on one of the items and actually display the email?

It may well be that the only place there is a record will be in the global search database that was complied when you had those emails, so the search might show something, but you may not actually be able to read them because they do not exist.

Clear the global search database. Make hidden files and folders visible:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders

In Thunderbird

• Help > Troubleshooting Information
• click on 'Show folder' button
• a new window opens showing Profile Folder.
• Close Thunderbird now - this is important.
• look for and delete this file : global-messages-db.sqlite
• Close window - top right X
• Restart Thunderbird.

A new empty global database file will be produced.

Report back on results.

Hi Thanks for your help.

I did what you suggested and I still have all my past emails and yes I can open them . see image.

I also tried a complete uninstall. no luck.

Any ideas?

thanks

Can you talk me through the process.

I presume this is a POP mail account - Please confirm or correct me if I'm wrong.

In the begining you had old mail - archived emails. These old messages were stored in the 'Archives' folder..yes? Can you tell me the sub file structure in 'Archives' which held those archived messages?

Do you still have an 'Archives' folder?

When you deleted the emails, did you delete the actual emails or the folder containing the emails or just delete the 'Archives' folder?

Also please confirm you are viewing all of your folders. View > Folders > All or Menu icon > Folders > All

I presume this is a POP mail account - .....YES

In the begining you had old mail - archived emails. These old messages were stored in the 'Archives' folder..yes? NO

Do you still have an 'Archives' folder? EMPTY

When you deleted the emails, did you delete the actual emails or the folder containing the emails or just delete the 'Archives' folder? I tried deleting folders and archive folders I have just tried deleting a single email and it has been removed Yes veiwing ALL FOLDERS is on

sorry if I don't answer correctly

If you can see the Folder in the Folder Pane which holds the emails you want to delete: select the folder to see emails.

Perform these actions:

• click on first email to get focus
• Hold down 'Ctrl' key and press 'A' key to select all the emails in that folder
• They will appear as conversations in the Message Pane below the list.
• Click on Delete button.

this will put all deleted emails in the 'Deleted/trash folder. Right click on 'Deleted/Trash folder and select 'empty Deleted/Trash'

If the folder containing the emails is not visible: Perform the search as before to see those emails. Click on 'open email as list' then perform these actions to delete all those emails:

• click on first email to get focus
• Hold down 'Ctrl' key and press 'A' key to select all the emails in that search result list.
• They will appear as messages in the Message Pane below the list.
• Click on Delete button.

then empty the Deleted/Trash folder.

Note: if you only want to select specific emails - not all of them. Hold down 'Ctrl' key and use mouse to select/highlight those selected emails. then click on Delete.

Hi Toad-Hall

Thanks for the info and help.

your second option was the one I used and I have deleted hundreds of emails, however, this is pathetic that thunderbird does not do this without me having too spend hour after hour trying to acheive what you have done.

I have spent ages finding these emails and delete them with your suggestion but I shouldnt have too do this?

I was about to delete thunderbird and use outlook but you have stopped me and I thank you on behalf of Thunderbird, their support is useless.

we should have a Format button that starts all again from new?

thanks ps It still keeps all past email addresses. How can I delete them, I have deleted them wherever I can...thx