Google: Managing IMAP Folders and Labels

Google mail provides by default some very strange folders which I do not find useful (e.g. Important, Chats, All Mail, IMAP/Archive). Moreover, I find pointless to download a single e-mail multiple times, as by default; it was assigned multiple “labels” which I do not use. Here’s a short reminder, how to deal with it…

Disabling a Selected Label and IMAP Folder

Following these step will disable the (un)desired “labels” or “IMAP folders” in Google mail. Once done, restarting the e-mail client software should automatically remove these folders:

1. Log into the web interface of Google mail.
2. Go to the Inbox (should be the default anyway).
3. Click on the “gear icon” on the right and select “Settings”.
4. In the menu, click on the “Labels” tab.
5. Click “hide” on the desired option in the “Show in label list” (e.g. Important, Chats, All Mail, IMAP/Archive)
6. Untick the desired option “Show in IMAP” (e.g. Important, Chats, All Mail, IMAP/Archive)

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Unsubscribing from a Selected IMAP Folder

This option depends on the e-mail client software used. It may be useful in cases when users do not want to completely remove the (un)desired labels or IMAP folders globally.

• In Thunderbird, look for “Advanced” option in “Synchronization & Storage” settings.
• In Outlook, look for “IMAP Folders” settings.