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Curiosity · Dec 15, 2009, 12:56 PM

I have noticed that Thunderbird 3 marks any mail that is deleted as having been read whether it has been or not. Why? What logical reason could there possibly be for such a setup? How does one prevent that from happening? Is there any setting that can be added to about:config to prevent that?

besson3c · Dec 15, 2009, 01:09 PM

What happens with your IMAP server with other IMAP clients?

Curiosity · Dec 15, 2009, 11:12 PM

I do not use IMAP. I use POP3.

besson3c · Dec 15, 2009, 11:30 PM

Okay, I was just wanting to make sure that this problem wasn't related to the IMAP server implementation, as flags such as read/deleted/etc. are set on the server as part of the IMAP spec.

POP message flags are maintained by the client, so I guess Thunderbird assumes that deleted messages should also be marked as read? I don't know of a fix, I don't use POP (nor do I recommend using POP, in case you haven't heard my speech before

Curiosity · Dec 16, 2009, 01:36 PM

I guess Tbird does make that assumption. Actually, it would make more sense to me if it marked deleted mail as unread, so that the Trash folder would change in appearance to remind one that it needs to be emptied.
I am now using the File button instead of the Delete button on the toolbar. It will move messages between folders without changing their status. It is a bit more clumsy, but it works.