Thunderbird - Apply automatic message filters to Sent folder?

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windowsNetworkingGuy

PCHF Member
Apr 8, 2022
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Hello all,

Background:
In Thunderbird, you can create message filters that can be run manually, or automatically when retrieving new mail.

When these filters run, they are applied to the Inbox.

In order to apply a filter to the Sent filter, you must manually open the filters window, and select "Run selected filters on Sent on [account]".

My issue:
I am looking for a way to have my filters run on the Sent folder automatically, rather than the Inbox, without me having to manually open the filters window and select it myself.

Currently there does not seem to be any way to do this in Thunderbird. The only Add-On I found that can do this is no longer supported by the software.

Does anyone know how to have message filters run on the Sent folder automatically? Whether it be through Thunderbird settings, or an Add-On?

Thanks!
 
More of a question is why apply to the sent folder. That is where all of the emails that you sent to whom ever go to.

What version of thunderbird are you using? Will go through mine and see if there is anything I can find.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I am using 91.11.0.

Here is the reason I am trying to do this:

I have two computers at work, both are set up with the same email accounts. The user of Computer A has his Thunderbird set up so that everything he does is copied to and stored in local folders. He does not use his sent or received IMAP-connected folders.

I use Computer B. Often times, I need to send emails on his behalf. When using IMAP, if I send an email from Computer B, it will show up in the non-local (IMAP) Sent folder on Computer A.

Since he does not use his non-local IMAP folders, and only uses local folders, when I send emails from Computer B, they are not copied to his local folders on Computer A, and he has no idea how to locate them. He is not interested in me changing his Thunderbird layout to be fully IMAP oriented.

Because of this, when sending important emails, I have to send them from Computer A to ensure they are copied into his local folders. It's a hassle for both of us.

If I can find a way to apply automatic filters to the Sent folder (IMAP, not local), then I could send emails from Computer B, and they would be copied from the Computer A IMAP Sent folder, into the local Sent folder.

Thanks!
 
Can the email be accessed via internet like Gmail or Hotmail?

What I was thinking was if so, then check to see if the folders are there and just set thunderbird to syn the folders.

Out at the moment will look to see what I can find.
 
The accounts do have browser access. I'm not very familiar with Thunderbird and folder syncing.

I should clarify. The user of Computer A has one giant local Sent folder. All items sent from his email accounts are copied there after sending. This is achieved using the Account Settings in Thunderbird, and choosing "Place a copy in..." in the Copies and Folders sub menu.

All of his IMAP-linked Sent folders are hidden on his left side navigation pane. Only local folders are visible.

I'll take a look into folder syncing and see if that can be used for this purpose. If you have any links on the subject you think I should take a look at, send them my way.

Thanks!
 
I have done some minor investigation into folder syncing. It does not look like it will be of any help to my situation. Thanks anyways.

I found an Add-On called "Send Filter" that does exactly what I need, but it is no longer supported by current versions of Thunderbird.

addons.thunderbird.net

Send Filter

This add-on allows you run your message filters automatically on outgoing messages after sending. In other words, it's a outgoing filter for thunderbird and seamonkey.
addons.thunderbird.net addons.thunderbird.net
 
See if this helps at all.

addons.thunderbird.net

Copy Sent to Current

Allows to place a copy of sent messages (aka FCC) into the currently active folder or any other folder you choose, when you create the message. Usually the copies are placed into the 'Sent' folder. For replies, you may also move the original message.
addons.thunderbird.net addons.thunderbird.net

Or you can go under Tools
Mail Filter
To manually create a filter and have it preform this every 10 minute.

Since it is under their local folders will have to be performed on their system.
 
Thanks for the reply.

The add-on you linked is nice, but requires manual input each time. The user of Computer A is not the kind of person to do that.

The mail filters would be great, except they cannot run on a schedule on the Sent folder. Only the Inbox. You can manually run filters on the Sent folder, but the user of this computer is not that kind of person.

I will keep experimenting and searching. Thanks!
 
You should be able to configure the Mail Filter that anything that is from the user sending email address to put them into the specific folders.

Is about the only way that it may work. Which may take some tweaking and testing.
 
Unfortunately no. I was unable to find a way to make this work. Thanks for your attempts.

It's such a strange request I doubt anyone has ever needed to accomplish this before. Oh well. I'll either continue sending emails from his computer, or convince him to change his Thunderbird layout to be IMAP friendly.
 
converting to pure IMAP on both, or using a cloud based email client, or setting up a shared mailbox on Office365 would also be some other options.
good luck.

Let's close this now as you're right, doubtful anyone here has come across this issue.
feel free to PM any staff member to have it re-opened if you find a solution and want to share it in case it helps others later.
 
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