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How can I search for a particular folder name, such as folders with the word "sand" in them

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Onno Ekker

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I have many sub-folders folders in my IMAP folders list. Often I need to move an email to a particular sub-folder but it takes me a long time to find the folder. I'd like to search for text that I know is in the folder name. For example I need to move an email to a sub-folder containing the text "sand" in it, however to scroll through a hundred sub folders takes a long time.

I have many sub-folders folders in my IMAP folders list. Often I need to move an email to a particular sub-folder but it takes me a long time to find the folder. I'd like to search for text that I know is in the folder name. For example I need to move an email to a sub-folder containing the text "sand" in it, however to scroll through a hundred sub folders takes a long time.

All Replies (3)

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There is nothing in the Thunderbird program itself to do this. It is assumed that people organize their folders so searching for a folder name is not necessary.

I found this previous question: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/988170 Where the add-on "Quick Folder Move" is recommended. You can try it.

Two alternatives:

1. Search Thunderbird for an e-mail that you know is in the folder.

2. Use Windows Explorer to search your Thunderbird Profile folder for your Thunderbird folder name. You can track through the folders on the hard drive to figure out where your folder is in Thunderbird's folders and subfolders.


How Thunderbird e-mail folders are represented on the computer hard drive.

Let's say that under Thunderbird's "Local Folders" you have a folder called "Stuff", and under "Stuff" you have folder called "Things".

In your Thunderbird Profile folder on the hard drive, you will see a folder called "Mail". Under that folder will be a folder called "Local Folders". Under that folder you will find:

1. A file with no file extension called "Stuff". 2. A file with the file extension .msf, called "Stuff.msf". 3. A folder called "Stuff.sbd".

Under the folder "Stuff.sbd", you will find the files "Things" and "Things.msf".

The files "Stuff" and "Things" contain all the e-mails that are in their Thunderbird folders.

The files "Stuff.msf" and "Things.msf" contain only index information that Thunderbird uses to keep track of what are in the two main files.


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Thanks. I installed the Quick Folder Move add-on mentioned and though not exactly what I was looking for, it really does help make it much easier :)

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You could also try the add-on Nostalgy. It has keyboard shortcuts to navigate to folders and to move/copy messages to a specific folders.