automatic deletions

[#1]

I have had warnings about the space I am using on Webmail.

Are in the following folders, the messages deleted (purged) by a criteria and if so can this be managed?

Sent

Trash

Deleted messages

Sent messages

I use IMAP on all devices. Windows PC, Imac, Ipad, Windows Tablet, iphone and android phone.

Thanks

Peter Walker

[#2]

@peter1099 You have to manually move the messages to the 'Trash' folder from any other, empty that one, and then compact folders.

AFAIK, there is no 'automatic' tidying up.

[#3]

The only thing which happens automatically is that each week, the content of the deleted items folder which was deleted more than 8 days ago is expunged.

AFAIK compacting folders compacts the LOCAL IMAP folders.

Depending on what you use for your IMAP email client, some level of automation can be implemented by the USER.  For example, Outlook365 has fairly flexible archive options - File -> Options -> Advanced -> AutoArchive -> AutoArchive Settings...

Any changes you make on any one of the IMAP devices, will be 'reflected' on all devices - with the exception that if you archive content to a LOCAL folder, that will only be visible / accessible on that device.

Housekeeping is something which users need to learn to own.  It seems to be human nature that no matter how box, we will fill it up, be that 1GB, 5GB 10GB or more.  There is a lot of garbage to be found in most people's mailboxes - especially if they use email to SHARE photos etc.  We send them and then forget to delete the item after sending it.

[#4]

Cheers @Townman . I'll leave further queries to you - webmail and most mail clients are a mystery to  me these days.

[#5 · Accepted solution]

@jab1 

Hi John,

Never be backwards at coming forward.  I'm not always around here, but by all means tag me!

There was nothing wrong with the advice, just a little more colour (spin) to add on the little known about automated housekeeping of the deleted items folder.  That safety net, which on other services I have used for long durations (on one, the trash folder goes back to 2015), only lasts 8 days on Plusnet mailboxes!