Follow the menu path appropriate for your platform, and check the appropriate box in the program’s settings… The manual “Compact Mailboxes” command can be found under the “File” menu, but the most efficient way to accomplish regular cleaning is by having Thunderbird compact its mailboxes automatically. After some investigation, I’ve found that the developers have built in a facility for keeping the program’s disk consumption under control, and that’s the “Compact Folders” command.

I discovered that Thunderbird’s Profiles directory could get really large, even when it seemed that it wasn’t storing that many messages. Like any love affair, though, ours has not been without its complications. Through its support for the POP3 and IMAP4 protocols, the program is compatible with nearly any messaging system, and its cross-platform nature makes it ideal for mixed-client environments. I’ve mentioned before my love for Thunderbird. Here’s a tip to keep your Thunderbird install speedy and healthy: compact your mailboxes. I’ve found that the software can require some tuning to provide the best possible experience, though. Mozilla’s Thunderbird is a great cross-platform alternative for reading e-mail. Here's a tip to keep your Thunderbird install speedy and healthy: compact your mailboxes. I've found that the software can require some tuning to provide the best possible experience, though. Mozilla's Thunderbird is a great cross-platform alternative for reading e-mail.

Keep Thunderbird from building too big a nest on your hard disk

Mozilla thunderbird profile location