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Using IMAP on Thunderbird (convert from POP3)

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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

sargan
sargan
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I have been using Thunderbird for years as my default email client. Currently ver 60.6.1 Used with a POP3 (BTconnect) setup, all working fine. Backups kept with MozBackup

I also read emails when travelling on my iPAD … Something I had not realised was that when I delete or file mails on PC … server does not synch with iPAD. (realise this is limitation of POP3) Yesterday found iPAD has 900+ emails in Inbox ☹ So solution would seem to be convert to IMAP.

Not worried about losing any mails on iPAD .. may even simply delete account and recreate. However on PC I don’t want to lose any filed mails or any in my Inbox …… can anybody advise steps follow to convert to IMAP without loss ?

I did a search and found article - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-pop-imap-account Is there anything I particularly need to be aware of  ?... newer advice, tips ?

I have been using Thunderbird for years as my default email client. Currently ver 60.6.1 Used with a POP3 (BTconnect) setup, all working fine. Backups kept with MozBackup I also read emails when travelling on my iPAD … Something I had not realised was that when I delete or file mails on PC … server does not synch with iPAD. (realise this is limitation of POP3) Yesterday found iPAD has 900+ emails in Inbox ☹ So solution would seem to be convert to IMAP. Not worried about losing any mails on iPAD .. may even simply delete account and recreate. However on PC I don’t want to lose any filed mails or any in my Inbox …… can anybody advise steps follow to convert to IMAP without loss ? I did a search and found article - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-pop-imap-account Is there anything I particularly need to be aware of ?... newer advice, tips ?

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Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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re :Backups kept with MozBackup

This is somewhat risky. Suggest you create a backup as follows.

Exit Thunderbird. Assuming you are using Windows OS and have profile in the default location: Access : C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird Copy the 'Thunderbird' folder to an external device to use as backup.


Move all emails from the pop account folders into your 'Local Folders' mail account to ensure continued visibiliy and access to emails.

Remove the pop account:

  • Right click on pop mail account and select 'Settings'
  • Click on 'Account Actions'
  • Select 'Remove Account'
  • click on 'OK'

Now you can create a new existing mail account but this time set it up as Imap.

  • 'Menu icon ' > 'New Message ' > 'Existing mail account'
  • Enter Name
  • Enter email address
  • Enter password
  • select option to save password
  • click on 'Continue'

Thunderbird will check for configuration settings make sure the 'Imap' option has been selected.

Modified by Toad-Hall