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How to get mail from IMAP server before hosting ends

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

mozilla_rob
mozilla_rob
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Hi, I've just switched e-mail hosters. I've managed to point my inbox to the new providers server and am getting the new e-mail fine. However, all my old mail is still hosted with the other provider and my hosting ends in the next few days. Currently I have two accounts under the same e-mail address pointing at the different servers, however, when the old package ends, I'm assuming I'll lose access to the old server and therefore my old e-mail. How do I grab all my old e-mail from the server and store it locally so that it can be seen in thunderbird even after my hosting expires? Would greatly appreciate a quick response! Many thanks

Hi, I've just switched e-mail hosters. I've managed to point my inbox to the new providers server and am getting the new e-mail fine. However, all my old mail is still hosted with the other provider and my hosting ends in the next few days. Currently I have two accounts under the same e-mail address pointing at the different servers, however, when the old package ends, I'm assuming I'll lose access to the old server and therefore my old e-mail. How do I grab all my old e-mail from the server and store it locally so that it can be seen in thunderbird even after my hosting expires? Would greatly appreciate a quick response! Many thanks

Chosen solution

Assuming the old imap mail account is still active and can connect to old server:

You need to get copies of the emails into Thunderbird. check settings for the older mail account.

  • right click on mail account name and select 'Settings'
  • select 'Synchronisation & storage'
  • select 'Keep messages for this account on this computer
  • click on 'Advanced; button
  • make sure all the folders you need to download emails are selected.
  • click on OK
  • select 'Synchronise all messages locally regardless of age'
  • click on OK

Menu icon > file > Offline > download/synch now

This should connect with server and download copies of emails into the folder rather than just headers.

Once done, go into Offline mode to stop further synchronising.

Create folders in 'Local Folders' mail account Right click on highlighted emails and copy to suitable fodler in 'Local Folders' check you can read those copied emails to be sure they are in 'Local Folders'

Once all is copied, you can remove the old imap mail account.

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All Replies (4)

amanchesterman
amanchesterman
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Create appropriate folders under the 'Local Folders' account and move or copy your messages to them. But remember, once you have done that, they are held only on your computer. So it's good practice to make a regular backup copy of those folders, as you would with other important files you don't want to lose.

mozilla_rob
mozilla_rob Question owner
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Hi, sorry I might be being slow here, but do you mean that I should mirror the folder structure on the IMAP server under my local folders? How do I then get hold of the emails? I've already set up the new account in thunderbird and so can't see the old emails in thunderbird anymore.

Zenos
Zenos
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Well, you gave the impression that you still had access to the old account: "Currently I have two accounts under the same e-mail address pointing at the different servers" - even though I don't believe that's possible. An email address is unique and can only be associated with one account.

If the old account is still operating and accessible, then yes, mirror the IMAP folders and copy the messages to Local Folders. But I would guess that if the new account is working, the MX record has already been adjusted and the old account is no more.

I'm not sure what else you'd expect other than "mirror the folder structure on the IMAP server", unless you have (had?) an unusually cooperative and helpful webhost who is willing to send you your old email archives. But why should he? You have just terminated a contract with him.

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Assuming the old imap mail account is still active and can connect to old server:

You need to get copies of the emails into Thunderbird. check settings for the older mail account.

  • right click on mail account name and select 'Settings'
  • select 'Synchronisation & storage'
  • select 'Keep messages for this account on this computer
  • click on 'Advanced; button
  • make sure all the folders you need to download emails are selected.
  • click on OK
  • select 'Synchronise all messages locally regardless of age'
  • click on OK

Menu icon > file > Offline > download/synch now

This should connect with server and download copies of emails into the folder rather than just headers.

Once done, go into Offline mode to stop further synchronising.

Create folders in 'Local Folders' mail account Right click on highlighted emails and copy to suitable fodler in 'Local Folders' check you can read those copied emails to be sure they are in 'Local Folders'

Once all is copied, you can remove the old imap mail account.