Thunderbird hangs on copying mail to Sent Folder

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The problem with Thunderbird hanging when trying to copy email to the Sent folder generally happens when using IMAP, since everything is stored on the server with IMAP. I've seen it suggested to not use IMAP but to use POP3 instead... but that defeats the benefits of using IMAP, so I don't suggest that. Another suggestion I've seen it to not keep a copy of your sent mail. For some people, that may be ok, but when you need to, then you should be able to.

This may not be the only solution, but below is what works for me:

  1. In Thunderbird, create a Archives folder
  2. Select the Archives folder and right click, create new SubFolder: Sent-2016 (repeat for various years)
  3. Now Move the 2016 sent mail to the Archives/Sent-2016 folder (repeat for the various years)
  4. NOTE since the moving is done behind the scenes on the server, it may take a few minutes so ignore your sent folder for a while

When I start seeing the copying to sent take a little bit, I will remember to go move the next batch. This is typically for me about 3 times per years.