How to Update Lost Thunderbird Message Filters

Update the "Filter Rules" options to set message filters in Mozilla Thunderbird.

Mozilla Thunderbird’s email program can filter your messages to help organize your inbox. Creating a new folder will help direct and save your messages for reference and action. If you suspect earlier email filters are lost, you can check the list on the “Message Filters” dialog box. Update the filter list by setting the filter options in the “Filter Rules” dialog box.

Instructions

Create the Folders

1. Click the “Windows Start” button or press the “Windows” key to open the “Start” menu.

2. Type “Thunderbird” in the “Search Programs and Files” text box.

3. Click “Mozilla Thunderbird” on the results list to open.

4. Right-click the “Folders” menu in the left pane to display a list of options.

5. Click the “New Folder” option to display a dialog box.

6. Type the name of the folder. For example, "Project." Click “Create Folder” to save the setting and close the dialog box.

Create the Message Filters

1. Click the “Tools” menu on the menu bar to open the list of options.

2. Click “Message Filters” to open the “Message Filters” dialog box.

3. Click the “New” button to open the “Filter Rules” dialog box.

4. Type the filter name in the “Filter Name” text box.

5. Click the arrows for the "Apply Filter When" section to display the options. Click to select the preferred option on the list.

6. Click the radio button to select one of the three options: “Match All of the Following,” “Match Any of the Following” and “Match All Messages.”

7. Click the arrows for the sections in the first text box to select the options.

8. Click the preferred options in the second text box. Click the folder location in the second drop-down list.

9. Click “OK.” The filter name appears on the “Message Filters” dialog box in the white “Filter Name” section. Click the filter name and "Run Now" button to check the filter, if preferred.

10. Click the "X" button to close this dialog window.

Tips & Warnings

• You can update the list of filters on the "Message Filter" dialog box by clicking the "Edit" or "Delete" buttons.

References

• Open Source Articles: An Introduction to Thunderbird, Part 7

Resources

• MozillaZine: Message Filters