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Doubt about 4GB limitation and subfolders.

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  • Last reply by a_gz_sp

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Hi.

I was reading, and understood that folders in Thunderbird have a limitation in size of 4GB, if I use Mbox.

But, I couldn’t find anything about if this issue affect subfolders, and how.

Example, Gmail account, connected via IMAP to Thunderbird.

Main tree Gmail account -> Dads photos -> 2013 Main tree Gmail account -> Dads photos -> 2014

Easy. Dads photos folder has a limitation of 4GB.

So, I’m going to subdivide in folders based in years.

Question, if 2013 and 2014 subfolders grow up until 3GB each, Dads photos folder will have the issue of 4GB, or the subfolders are counted as two independent folders for this case?

The doubt is because for example, in Windows, Dads folders weights 6GB.

Thanks.

Hi. I was reading, and understood that folders in Thunderbird have a limitation in size of 4GB, if I use Mbox. But, I couldn’t find anything about if this issue affect subfolders, and how. Example, Gmail account, connected via IMAP to Thunderbird. Main tree Gmail account -> Dads photos -> 2013 Main tree Gmail account -> Dads photos -> 2014 Easy. Dads photos folder has a limitation of 4GB. So, I’m going to subdivide in folders based in years. Question, if 2013 and 2014 subfolders grow up until 3GB each, Dads photos folder will have the issue of 4GB, or the subfolders are counted as two independent folders for this case? The doubt is because for example, in Windows, Dads folders weights 6GB. Thanks.

Chosen solution

with this new information

I'm aware of the MozillaZine article. The statement you quoted is taken from a post to the tb-planning mailing list within a discussion about maildir support for Thunderbird. It isn't a statement about the current status. The MozillaZine article in it's current form is confusing at best. But as said before I don't have anything better than that either.

Are you sure that 2013 and 2014 subfolders can support 4GB each, without make trouble to Dads potos folder?

Yes, they are all separate files in the file system.

As of Thunderbird 38 maildir is supported as a storage format, so you may want to give that a try. Note, it's only possible to chose maildir for newly created accounts, so you'd need to delete and set up your account again, including re-downloading all your mail.

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I was reading, and understood that folders in Thunderbird have a limitation in size of 4GB, if I use Mbox.

What exactly were you reading? Can you provide a link?

It is my understanding that Thunderbird does support message folders greater than 4 GB, and there are reports from various users about that. This always assumes the file system does support file sizes of 4 GB and greater. However, I don't have any written statement or reference to confirm this.

If you want to be on the safe side you may go for a max. message folder size of 4 GB.

The 4 GB message folder size is per subfolder, it doesn't add up on higher levels. So you only have to worry about 2013 and 2014 folders, but not about 'Dads photos' folder, unless 'Dads photos' folder itself (with messages in it, but not from subfolders) goes beyond 4 GB.

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Hi, thanks for your reply.

Here is the links. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Limits_-_Thunderbird#Folders_and_messages https://mail.mozilla.org/pipermail/tb-planning/2013-January/002560.html

"just admit that local mbox folders are limited in size to 4GB, make sure that any usage of mbox folders does not allow >4GB operations, and put our efforts instead to finishing the remaining issues in maildir support."

christ1, with this new information, Are you sure that 2013 and 2014 subfolders can support 4GB each, without make trouble to Dads potos folder?

Thanks again.

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Chosen Solution

with this new information

I'm aware of the MozillaZine article. The statement you quoted is taken from a post to the tb-planning mailing list within a discussion about maildir support for Thunderbird. It isn't a statement about the current status. The MozillaZine article in it's current form is confusing at best. But as said before I don't have anything better than that either.

Are you sure that 2013 and 2014 subfolders can support 4GB each, without make trouble to Dads potos folder?

Yes, they are all separate files in the file system.

As of Thunderbird 38 maildir is supported as a storage format, so you may want to give that a try. Note, it's only possible to chose maildir for newly created accounts, so you'd need to delete and set up your account again, including re-downloading all your mail.

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christ1.

Thank you very much for your help.

It was very clear, now i don't have any doubts.

Thanks again for your time.