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How to Increase Mailbox Size in Thunderbird Instantly?

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Published By Jamie Kaler
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On June 6th, 2025
Reading Time 8 Minutes Reading

Searching for the right answers on how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird? If yes, then we are here to help you out. So, a lot of users are curious to know the Thunderbird maximum mailbox size as they are getting some errors associated with it. Therefore, to guide them properly and provide possible solutions on how to increase Thunderbird inbox size, we prepared this complete blog post. Thus, by the end of the page, the reader will be aware of the Thunderbird mailbox size limit, the reasons behind the issue due to it, and multiple ways to get out of this. So, to know everything quickly and easily, read the blog till you find the conclusion.

Reasons to Learn How to Increase Mailbox Size in Thunderbird

There are various situations or obstructions in the workflow that make an individual search for legitimate solutions on how to increase Thunderbird inbox size. Therefore, to have a quick glance at the reasons behind the problems due to Thunderbird maximum mailbox size.

  • The primary reason that a user seeks this solution is that they are unable to send or receive email using Thunderbird.
  • Whenever the user performs any action in Thunderbird, an error occurs every time which eventually limits the user’s productivity.
  • Also, the user loses the ability to read email from the inbox folder and thus wants to know how to increase Thunderbird mailbox size to fix it on a primary basis.
  • In addition to this, due to the very same problem in Thunderbird, the user becomes unable to even delete the existing emails so that they can free up space and increase the mailbox size.
  • Apart from this, users also find a way how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird so that they can do better email archiving and prevent data loss from possible mailbox storage errors.
  • Over and above that, an individual also uses the information related to Thunderbird maximum mailbox size so that they can be sure or even boost Thunderbird performance accordingly.

What Leads to Thunderbird Mailbox Storage Issues?

Now, it’s time to know the main causes behind this Thunderbird maximum mailbox size situation that occurs, and ultimately, make a user learn how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird. So, have a glimpse of that below:

  • The user has lots of emails, and the server is refusing to accept more.
  • It is also possible that an individual is using an old, cluttered, and abandoned Thunderbird account.
  • An outdated operating system or Thunderbird edition can also create similar issues.
  • Also, any anti-virus or firewall installed in the device that has deleted the Thunderbird storage data can also lead to this.
  • The user has exceeded the 4GB limit of Thunderbird mailbox folders.

How to Increase Mailbox Size in Thunderbird?

There are multiple indirect ways in which one can not only learn about the Thunderbird maximum mailbox size but can also find easy ways how to increase Thunderbird inbox size. So, let’s dive in!

1. Cross-Check the Settings of Deleted Thunderbird Emails

  1. Open Thunderbird on your device.
  2. Now, click on Tools and choose Account Settings.
  3. Further, select Server Settings and click on Leave messages on server option.
  4. Once done, select the number of days to manage Thunderbird mailbox size limit.
  5. Do not forget to tick the checkbox “Until I delete them” to prevent data loss.
  6. At last, click on Ok and you are one step ahead to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird.

2. Take Command Over Disk Space in Thunderbird

  1. Launch Thunderbird on your system and click on Tools.
  2. Further, click Account Settings and choose Disc Space from the left panel.
  3. Now, choose the option “Don’t delete any messages”.
  4. Also, tick the checkbox “Always keep starred messages”.
  5. Finally, click on Ok to increase Thunderbird mailbox size.

3. Minimize or Compact the Thunderbird Folders

  1. If you are using the older version of Thunderbird, such as 3.1, then first of all, change the folder view to All.
  2. Once done, right-click on the Inbox Folder.
  3. From the pop-up dialogue box, click on Compact.
  4. And with this, you are done and learn a way how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird.

4. Upgrade Thunderbird Version

  1. Start Thunderbird on your system.
  2. Now, from the menu bar, choose Help.
  3. Then, click on About Thunderbird from the dialogue box.
  4. This will fix any possible glitch or bug in the older Thunderbird version.
  5. This is also a prominent answer to how to increase Thunderbird inbox size.

5. Split Thunderbird Folder Data

  1. In Thunderbird itself, right-click on any folder.
  2. Select the New Folder option to create a new one, such as Inbox 2.
  3. Now, from the Thunderbird Inbox folder, select a batch of emails.
  4. Then right-click and choose Move To.
  5. After that, select the newly created folder.
  6. This will divide the data and may improve Thunderbird maximum mailbox size.

6. Recreate the Thunderbird Deleted Items Folder

  1. Run Thunderbird and click on the three horizontal lines menu icon.
  2. Then, select Help and choose the Troubleshooting Information option.
  3. Now, click on the Open Folder option from the Application Basics section.
  4. Once done, close Thunderbird email clients.
  5. After this, open File Explorer and go to the Mails folder.
  6. Select the Thunderbird email account that has mailbox size issues.
  7. Further, select the Trash and Trash.msf files present there.
  8. Press the Delete key to remove them from there.
  9. Next, restart Thunderbird on the very same device.
  10. Finally, create a new folder with Trash in Thunderbird.
  11. This is also a reliable answer on how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird.
7. Move to Another Account

There are chances that you may end up with the loss of data or any other blunder while following the above-mentioned manual way of how to increase Thunderbird inbox size. That is why experts always suggest using a professional tool to either transfer Thunderbird emails to another Thunderbird account or take a backup of emails in another email client or locally saved file formats. Therefore, the best solution to do this is the MailsWare Thunderbird File Converter Tool. It has 30+ saving options, including prominent email clients and file extensions. Also, it is very easy to use, supports bulk action, and makes sure to keep the attachments or attributes intact even after the conversion. Thus, the quick steps to use this software are as follows:

  1. Install and run the tool mentioned above.
    install the tool
  2. Select the Thunderbird data that you want to move or backup.
    select thunderbird data
  3. Choose the export option, such as export Thunderbird to Outlook.
    saving option
  4. Choose the saving location or give credentials, accordingly.
    saving location
  5. Click on Convert to eventually increase the Thunderbird mailbox size limit.
    how to increase mailbox size in thunderbird
Limitations of the Manual Solutions
  • No guaranteed results as they are indirect ways of how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird.
  • Very complex and prone to errors for non-tech users.
  • It is a confusing and long process that needs to be done with precision.
  • Loss of data is also possible with these conventional solutions.
  • Not each one of them supports batch action and all the elements of the Thunderbird email.
Why Should One Choose a Professional Tool For This?
  • Allow direct transfer of Thunderbird data to other clients, such as export Thunderbird to Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Zimbra, and other clients without the need to manually import them.
  • Has the option to download the Thunderbird files in multiple formats as well to save them locally, such as export Thunderbird to PDF, EML, MSG, JPG, DOC, TXT, etc.
  • Offers a free trial edition that allows the user to test the tool before getting the paid license.
  • Supports all attachments and other attributes of the Thunderbird email.
  • Has advanced features like multiple data selection modes, file-naming option, file-saving location option, and more for quality output with easy access to them.
Conclusion

In this blog post, we briefly answered multiple of how to increase mailbox size in Thunderbird and hope that you have successfully recognized the issue and fixed it using the suggested ways. However, before making any changes to the existing settings of Thunderbird, professionals advise you to backup the crucial Thunderbird emails so that you can prevent all the unintentional data loss that may possibly occur due to conventional solutions.

Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Move Thunderbird Email Profiles to Another Location

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