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How can I copy over the emails from a delete pop account to the imap account that replaced it?

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  • Nzaghachi ikpeazụ nke user01229325

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In the process of switching to IMAP on a new host, I created an account on Thunderbird with the same name. Once I did this, I couldn't access either account. I got an error saying that there was another account with this name. The error wouldn't let me access any info, so I couldn't check the server settings to tell me which account was the old POP one and which was the new IMAP one. I had to delete one to access either, and unfortunately I ended up deleting the POP one.

Now, if I follow the usual instructions to create a new account with the same name, it automatically defaults to pointing to my new email host and the new IMAP account. I cannot re-create the POP account. I can't find any way to create (or re-create) an account which will point to those old POP emails.

I really need access to those emails. Ideally, if there were just some easy way to find those emails and drag them into the new IMAP account, that would solve everything.

In the process of switching to IMAP on a new host, I created an account on Thunderbird with the same name. Once I did this, I couldn't access either account. I got an error saying that there was another account with this name. The error wouldn't let me access any info, so I couldn't check the server settings to tell me which account was the old POP one and which was the new IMAP one. I had to delete one to access either, and unfortunately I ended up deleting the POP one. Now, if I follow the usual instructions to create a new account with the same name, it automatically defaults to pointing to my new email host and the new IMAP account. I cannot re-create the POP account. I can't find any way to create (or re-create) an account which will point to those old POP emails. I really need access to those emails. Ideally, if there were just some easy way to find those emails and drag them into the new IMAP account, that would solve everything.

Asịsa ahọpụtara

It is supposed to. That is what I would try. If that does not work you can find the mail file for the POP account in your profile and use an add on called Import Export Tools to retrieve them. The other option for, next time, is to create folders under the Local Folders account and move messages there before you delete the old account. Local Folders is a good place to keep messages on your local drive.

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You do not create an account with the same name. Hence the error message. You create an account using the same email address with the appropriate account settings for IMAP and give it a new name. Maybe Joes email IMAP instead of Joes email POP.

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Thank you for your reply @Airmail. After I foolishly deleted my POP account, I researched a little and realized exactly what you are saying, that I should've used different names for each account type, POP and IMAP. Unfortunately, that's not what I did.

So now, if I rename my IMAP account to Paul's IMAP and then create a new pop account with the original name, email, and server settings, will it automatically find the original folder associated with that pop account?

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Asịsa Ahọpụtara

It is supposed to. That is what I would try. If that does not work you can find the mail file for the POP account in your profile and use an add on called Import Export Tools to retrieve them. The other option for, next time, is to create folders under the Local Folders account and move messages there before you delete the old account. Local Folders is a good place to keep messages on your local drive.