Schedule time when Thunderbird doesn't check for new mail, for each account
Is there a way to schedule a time (daily or weekly) during which Thunderbird doesn't check for new mail?
I have several mail accounts, some for work, some private. I want Thunderbird checking for new mail on my work accounts during my work hours, and pause checking when I get off work. I don't want Thunderbird to check my private mail while I'm at work (or specifically, up until an hour before the end of my workday).
Eg. I'd like to "tell" Thunderbird to check my work account monday to friday from 8am to 5pm, and my private account every workday from 4pm to 8am and every weekend all day. Ideally, clicking on "get new mail" would only fetch mail for the currently unpaused accounts.
I don't want to have to manually pause checking for messages for each account several times a day.
The "check for new messages every ___ minutes" doesn't help.
Disabling notifications isn't a solution - I need the messages (especially work messages) not to be downloaded from the server (or receive notification that there's mail waiting). I'm looking to "disconnect" from work while keeping up to speed with my private communications.
Chosen solution
Ana N said
Is there a way to schedule a time (daily or weekly) during which Thunderbird doesn't check for new mail?
No.
I don't want to have to manually pause checking for messages for each account several times a day.
That does not work very well anyway. An option best ignored.
I would suggest using a work and a private profile in Thunderbird each with it's own accounts, so you simply start Thunderbird with the chosen profile when it is or is not work time. See; https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/profile-switcher/?src=search for an addon to simplify the switching and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-thunderbird-profiles
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There may be many ways to skin this cat, but my approach would be to have two profiles, one for work and one for home, and switch between them as needed.
david said
There may be many ways to skin this cat, but my approach would be to have two profiles, one for work and one for home, and switch between them as needed.
Thank you, David. I'll keep your suggestion as a backup plan.
I would, however, like to hear about other ways to get the skin off this cat, if anyone has more ideas?
Chosen Solution
Ana N said
Is there a way to schedule a time (daily or weekly) during which Thunderbird doesn't check for new mail?
No.
I don't want to have to manually pause checking for messages for each account several times a day.
That does not work very well anyway. An option best ignored.
I would suggest using a work and a private profile in Thunderbird each with it's own accounts, so you simply start Thunderbird with the chosen profile when it is or is not work time. See; https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/profile-switcher/?src=search for an addon to simplify the switching and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-thunderbird-profiles
Modified by Matt
Matt said
Ana N said
Is there a way to schedule a time (daily or weekly) during which Thunderbird doesn't check for new mail?No.
I don't want to have to manually pause checking for messages for each account several times a day.That does not work very well anyway. An option best ignored.
I would suggest using a work and a private profile in Thunderbird each with it's own accounts, so you simply start Thunderbird with the chosen profile when it is or is not work time. See; https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/profile-switcher/?src=search for an addon to simplify the switching and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-thunderbird-profiles
Thank you for your help, Matt. I will try yours (and David's) solution. Have a great weekend - and stay away from work emails.