We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Messages missing from folder in Thunderbird

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by christ1

fgpsmith
fgpsmith
more options

This may be due to a power cut that closed down my PC suddenly.

I'm running Thunderbird 38.8 on Windows 10 using POP email.

In one folder only a dozen of my emails (all recent ones) are showing but if I look in

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<profile>.default\Mail\Local Folders\<folder>.mozmsgs

I have nearly 9,000 *.wdseml files

If I use File > Open Saved Message ... and change the filter from *.eml to *.* I seem to be able yo open old messages that I can't see in the folder

I do not have any filters set on the folder and both View > Folders and View > Threads are both set to all

I have run in safe mode with no extensions and this makes no difference.

I have tried right clicking on the folder and selecting Properties > General Information > Repair Folder and this makes no difference the messages do not appear.

Other folders appear to be OK.

Any help please on how to get access to my old emails through Thunderbird?

This may be due to a power cut that closed down my PC suddenly. I'm running Thunderbird 38.8 on Windows 10 using POP email. In one folder only a dozen of my emails (all recent ones) are showing but if I look in C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<profile>.default\Mail\Local Folders\<folder>.mozmsgs I have nearly 9,000 *.wdseml files If I use File > Open Saved Message ... and change the filter from *.eml to *.* I seem to be able yo open old messages that I can't see in the folder I do not have any filters set on the folder and both View > Folders and View > Threads are both set to all I have run in safe mode with no extensions and this makes no difference. I have tried right clicking on the folder and selecting Properties > General Information > Repair Folder and this makes no difference the messages do not appear. Other folders appear to be OK. Any help please on how to get access to my old emails through Thunderbird?

All Replies (5)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options
I have nearly 9,000 *.wdseml files

A .wdseml file is a partial copy (up to 49KB) of a message in the mail folder, stored in a .mozmsgs subdirectory. It is used by Windows Search Integration (requires Vista or a later version of Windows). They're actually renamed .eml files.

If I use File > Open Saved Message ... and change the filter from *.eml to *.* I seem to be able yo open old messages that I can't see in the folder

See above.

I have tried right clicking on the folder and selecting Properties > General Information

What is the size of the folder?

Do you have a backup?

You can possibly recover the partial message content from the .mozeml files, see http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1230495

fgpsmith
fgpsmith Question owner
more options

The .mozmsgs folder says it's 66 Mb (using windows properties on the folder)

I do have a backup of the folder. But I did try copying that back and had the same issues. Whatever the problem is might have got copied to the backup in the nightly run.

If the .wdseml files are partial copies what location should the originals be in? Maybe I can find the originals in my backup.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options
The .mozmsgs folder says it's 66 Mb (using windows properties on the folder)

I was talking about the original folder with the lost messages. You haven't mentioned yet what folder that is.

I do have a backup of the folder. But I did try copying that back and had the same issues.

There is no point restoring a backup of the .mozmsgs folder.

what location should the originals be in?

You'd need to explain what the troubled folder is in the first place.

fgpsmith
fgpsmith Question owner
more options

Ahhh think I've found it. the mails are in a file with no extension? That has messages in, but only a few.

It looks like my backup has taken the truncated version so I guess I'll need to rename and re-import and make sure my backup plan doesn't just overwrite.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options
the mails are in a file with no extension?

Correct.