http://kb.mozillazine.org/Disappearing_mail

While working through all the steps in this article, I found where (I think) my emails are going when they disappear. It seems that there are two different directories/folders. 1. C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\z0lfzcca.default-release\Mail\Local Folders 2. C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\z0lfzcca.default-release\ImapMail\imap.shaw.ca In folder # 1 there is a file "Archive" (34,340 bites) and "Archives" (14,705 bites). In folder @ 2 there is also these two folders but different sizes "Archive.msf" (3 bites) and "Archives.msf (2 bites). I checked my Account Settings - Server Settings, location as to where the email is sent to = Imap://UserName@Imap.shaw.ca/Archive in folder 2 that has only 3 bites and 2 bites. This leads me to think the emails are being sent to folder #1. I then changed the Local Directory address to the file #1 address. I don't know yet if this works. I tried to open both of these folder/files an neither would open nor could I find a program that would open them. In TB I looked to see if anything was there but both Archive files are empty. Sorry, to long but I'm asking for advice and if you think I'm on the right track??? Thanks...Bill

In folder # 1 there is a file "Archive" (34,340 bites) and "Archives" (14,705 bites).

"Archive" is possibly something you have created. "Archives" is most likely related to the Thunderbird Archive feature. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/archived-messages

In folder @ 2 there is also these two folders but different sizes "Archive.msf" (3 bites) and "Archives.msf (2 bites).

.msf files are index files and do not contain your mail. Files without a file extension typically are mail files, e.g. like Inbox.

I then changed the Local Directory address to the file #1 address. I don't know yet if this works.

I strongly advise you not to mess with the 'Local Directory' setting, unless you know exactly what you're doing.

I'm asking for advice and if you think I'm on the right track???

I don't think so.

I previously asked "why are my emails disappearing and where are they going"? With help from the Community I've learned a lot and have found where they are going (C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\z0lfzcca.default-release\Mail\Local Folders - and my Archive folder Looks like this;

Local Folders Archives Date File 32,049 Archives.msf Date MSF File 164 Archive Date File 34,340 Archive.msf Date File 105

So my data is there but it does not show up in TB. When I look at these folders on the TB main menu they are empty. My new question is how do I get TB to display this data in the folders in TB main menu when I open it? I have checked my settings and it shows;

"Message Archives" Keep Messages in Archives Folder on - Local Folders

But they are not there. Using “BitRecover Thunderbird Viewer” I see them in the Local folders (Right) but when I look at this folder in the TB main menu there not visible. Please see the uploaded image of the BitRecover menu

Attached screenshots

The image you posted is just the directory - when you select 'Local Folders' in that left pane, it will display the contents in the right pane - this part of the image is missing but that is the bit that is required.

We do not need the bitrecover menu - We need the actual current location being used.

• C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\z0lfzcca.default-release\Mail\Local Folders

You need to set the view to 'Details' and make sure the 'Name', 'Type', and 'Size' column sare visible. Then we can check what is going on.

It looks like you have two folders called 'Archive' and 'Archives', so these folders may actually have a .sbd extension. But you would also need mbox files and indexing files. eg: Archive and Archives mbox files and 'Archive.msf' and 'Archives.msf' files. I cannot tell this from the image you posted as it would have been displayed on the right side and that has been cut off.

If the mbox files (no extension) are missing then Thunderbird has no knowledge of what is stored in 'Archive.sbd' nor 'Archives.sbd'.

In this case you would need to create the mbox files. Exit Thunderbird - this is important. Access the profile 'Local Folders' folder to see it's contents.

Right click in blank area select 'New' > 'Text Document' set the name of that new text document to say Archive (spelt exactly the same as the Archive.sbd) . then rename the file by remove the .txt part. When you remove the .txt part it will say something like 'if you change file extension it could become unusable'. You do want to change it, so say yes. This will create an mbox file called 'Archive'.

Repeat process for 'Archives' to create mbox file.

If you can see 'Archive.msf' and 'Archives.msf' files - delete them, they will get recreated.

Start Thunderbird.