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How can I force Thunderbird to reload IMAP folder structure

Fresh5 days ago
Mar 15, 2026121591 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

Whenever I create a new label in my Gmail account, this creates a new IMAP folder. Sadly, that new folder does not show up in Thunderbird unless I restart Thunderbird. This is not specific to Gmail. When I create a new IMAP folder on my own server, the result is the same. To clarify. Here is what I'm doing. First, I create a new label in Gmail: But now it won't show up in my Thunderbird folder tree. Even though it knows about the folder and it is subscribed to: When I restart Thunderbird, the folder shows up just fine. I would like it to show up without restarting Thunderbird.

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Fix for: How can I force Thunderbird to reload IMAP folder structure

Low Risk

In version 10.0.2 (current) and most recent versions: Click on the account line in the folder tree (the line just above the Inbox) You should get a screen of options, find Manage folder subscriptions and click on it Click the Refresh button Close the folder list window Click the little triangle at the top level of the account in the folder tree to hide the folder list Click it again to show the folder list I've just confirmed that this works for me in 10.0.2

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