Mistakenly-Emptied Gmail Inbox Deletes Previously Downloaded Emails in Thunderbird
I messed up. I created a junk mail filter that deleted almost all of my gmail messages on the server and on my Mac. I have used my backup disk to restore Thunderbird data and the emails with it. However, when my wifi connects TB immediately goes on line with Gmail and the emails are deleted again (I sync via IMAP).
I have tried to find a solution that would allow me to put the emails back on the server. The suggestions in this forum on how to do that do not appear to work (or are missing a step that I just don't get). failing that, I would just like to save the backed up emails to a folder *that does not sync at all* so that they do not disappear again.
Preferably, I would like to restore the emails to Gmail. But as I pointed out, the minute I go online, TB syncs with the now empty Gmail account and I am back to square one.
Help! Please...
David
All Replies (5)
You'll need to restore the messages to your Local Folders account and then upload them again to the Gmail server.
You may also to check for your messages via webmail. They may still exist in 'All Mail' on the server.
Thanks. Checked All Mail and Trash. They are gone. Restoring from local folders is the problem. As soon as Thunderbird connects to Gmail, it syncs and the TB emails (again) disappear. And there isn't a guide on how to restore from local folders that I can find with step by step instructions, at least not any that prevent the emails on my TB client form disappearing the moment it connects to Gmail.
You didn't get the point. You must not simply restore your backup. You'll need to restore the messages belonging to your IMAP account to the Local Folders account instead.
Or keep Thunderbird offline while restoring the profile, and while offline move the messages from the IMAP account to your Local Folders account manually.
Then you can go online again and upload your messages to the server.
Right, I guess what I am saying is instructions on *how* to do that appear to be lacking. I created a folder under the "local folders" in TB, but after copying the messages to that folder, I went online and they all deleted. You may be overestimating my skill level; apologies if I am appearing obtuse.
I haven't had to do it myself, but if I did, I would force the computer offline (e.g., pull Ethernet cable, disable wi-fi adapter) to prevent synchronization. Then after restoring the IMAP account folders, copy or move the messages from the IMAP folders to Local folders -- a separate set of folders not listed under your IMAP account -- which are not a mirror of the server but a local copy which is not synchronized.