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Thunderbird Save Emails/Delete Account

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Hi All,

I recently started working at a new job. The prior employee's email address and contents are still in Thunderbird.

I would like to archive/save all of her emails (my understanding was that this could be done in the Local Folders, however no matter what I do, none of the folders or emails will move). Is there some way to do this/save to HD so they continue to be easily accessible?

I would also like to deactivate her account.

What is the best way to go about doing these things? Please provide a step-by-step if possible!

Thanks!

Hi All, I recently started working at a new job. The prior employee's email address and contents are still in Thunderbird. I would like to archive/save all of her emails (my understanding was that this could be done in the Local Folders, however no matter what I do, none of the folders or emails will move). Is there some way to do this/save to HD so they continue to be easily accessible? I would also like to deactivate her account. What is the best way to go about doing these things? Please provide a step-by-step if possible! Thanks!

All Replies (6)

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Well, I would expect them to move to Local Folders, so you're doing just what I'd do. How have you been trying to move them?

I would advise moving messages, NOT folders.

Are you seeing prompts for the previous user's password? Does it work any better if you run Thunderbird offline?

Do you need these old messages? You could just set Thunderbird up with a new profile and start anew for yourself.

And, IMHO, none of this should fall to you. Your employer ought to see to it that the email is set up for you. Ideally, that is…

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I tried to move the folders using the ol' drag and drop, but as that didn't work, I attempted to use these instructions: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_mail_storage_location_(Thunderbird) but was met with an error message saying that the "folder was already in use".

I do keep seeing prompts for the previous user's password. From Thunderbird, but as a gmail login.

I do need these new messages, alas!

Small businesses are sloppy...

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That link takes you to moving a profile. As I understand it, you want to move messages, but not necessarily delete them. Moving the mail storage location just puts your stored mail somewhere else on your computer but keeping it available (and visible!) in Thunderbird. Shifting your profile is not useful to you, I think.

Again, I say move messages, not folders. Moved folders have been known to retain their allegiance to their original parent account. Please also try right-click and "Move to…" - it's a bit more robust than drag-and-drop.

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Zenos--Thank you for all of your help!

Am I correct in thinking that once all of the emails are stored in the Local Folders, I don't have to worry about them vanishing, even when the email account is deleted?

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So long as you move the messages, then yes, they are stored on your own local storage (almost always this means your computer's hard disk) and no longer depend on their original account. And yes the account can be deleted and the messages remain.

I added the note about moving messages (again!) because some users appear to have managed to move a folder but find it still connects to its account.

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Got it. I created new folders in the Local Storage to make up for that. Thanks again for all your help!!!