Getting rid of the spam folder

Hello,

This is explained on the following thread:

IMAP folders automatically created that can't be deleted

You can find the feature request to have the ability to unsubscribe from these folders at:

IMAP undeletable folders - Archive/Junk/Drafts/Sent

I encourage you to vote and add your feedback.

Thank you.

 

Hello,

The spam folder isn't listed in those threads, but it's included as part of the folders that are created automatically per the following entry in /etc/dovecot/dovecot.conf:

Code:

  mailbox spam {
    special_use = \Junk
    auto = create
  }

Thank you.

 

As a work around, for now, you should be able to modify the template file as described here Configure Dovecot - Documentation - cPanel Documentation

If you remove the configuration block from the main.local template, and rebuild the dovecot configuration, the result should not have the undesired "spam" special folder.

 

Hello,

You could provide your hosting provider a link to this thread to show them the instructions for disabling the SPAM folder auto-creation via the modification of the Dovecot configuration file.

Thank you.

 

Yes, you'd follow the instructions under "Add Dovecot Options" at:

Configure Dovecot - Documentation - cPanel Documentation

For example:

Code:

cp /var/cpanel/templates/dovecot2.2/main.default  /var/cpanel/templates/dovecot2.2/main.local
vi /var/cpanel/templates/dovecot2.2/main.local

When editing /var/cpanel/templates/dovecot2.2/main.local, remove the following entry:

Code:

  mailbox spam {
    special_use = \Junk
    auto = create
  }

Then, save the changes and run the following commands:

Code:

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/builddovecotconf
/scripts/restartsrv_dovecot

Thank you.

 

Hello,

Yes, that is correct. However, it is a global setting, so I can see why a shared hosting provider may not want to change it.

Thanks!

 

Hello @dirkniblick,

The primary reason for this change was to allow for maximum compatibility with email clients. Some email applications, such as non-English versions of Outlook 2013, relay on this automatic mapping. Otherwise, users lose the ability to move or delete messages. There's some more information from Dovecot, including a link to RFC 6154 at:

MailboxSettings - Dovecot Wiki

I encourage you to vote and add feedback to the following feature request if you'd like to see a change in the default behavior:

Unsubscribe from default folders

Thank you.

 

Hello @dirkniblick,

The Dovecot document doesn't match the exact Dovecot configuration file used on cPanel, but it's useful if you want to have a better understanding of how Dovecot configuration options such as "special_use" or "auto" work. Here are the specific entries in /var/cpanel/templates/dovecot2.2/main.default that results in the automatic creation of the spam and junk folders:

Code:

  mailbox Junk {
    special_use = \Junk
    auto = create
  }

  mailbox spam {
    special_use = \Junk
    auto = create
  }

I do understand your point about the confusion caused due to the existence of both the Junk and Spam folders. We actually have an internal case open (CPANEL-5993) to address an issue where the SpamAssassin Spam Box folder is not consistent with the Junk special-use folder in dovecot.conf. This wouldn't solve the specific issue you are referencing, but it's another reason the feature you are seeking would add value. I recommend opening a feature request with the specific changes you'd like to see via:

Submit A Feature Request

The following document explains how feature requests work, and why it's the best method of requesting a change in functionality:

How to use and what to expect from the cPanel features site | Guides

Than you.

 

There's no update to report on this case at this time. It's a case that's monitored, but no determination has been made on if or when a change to the existing behavior will occur.

Thank you.