Sent messages have been deleted automatically
I use POP. I download and keep all my messages received and sent, and have the server delete after a set period. However after installing Thunderbird I've noticed my sent folder is only 6 months old. It should be 15 years! What has Thunderbird done with my messages and can I get them back?
Gekose oplossing
The easy way is to
- install the addon, importexporttools NG
- then, highlight Local Folders
- rightclick and select the importexport option to import mbox and then select that file.
This creates a folder in Local Folder, where you can review that all is well. With that much mail , it can be difficult to merger with the existing sent folder. My cautious approach would be to leave it in Local Folders.
I would also save that sent.mbox file separately as a backup. And, since POP and PCs and software do sometimes crash, I suggest periodic backups. Save these steps in case something crashes:
BACKUP
- ensure thunderbird is not running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
- highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
RESTORE
- ensure thunderbird is installed, run once, and NOT running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- delete the thunderbird folder
- you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there.
- start thunderbird and all should be there
All Replies (7)
Some background may help. Your post indicates you only recently began using Thunderbird. True? Providing some detail on that may prove helpful. Thank you.
Installed on or around 26th March this year. Previously I used Outlook using .pst files and I used Regain to convert to MBOX format.
That was my fear, and it's been six months. Somehow, that conversion may not have worked. Do you still have the old pst files? Did you create a backup of the mbox files at that time? Thunderbird does not delete messages, so my hope is that you have that original data that we may be able to assist you in converting.
I was just wondering the same, only 2 weeks between installing Thunderbird and the first Sent message in my Sent folder! Yes I have the .pst file. I have re-generated the MBOX file as sent.mbox. I haven't found how to add it into my new sent folder yet, perhaps you'd be kind enough to help.
Gekose oplossing
The easy way is to
- install the addon, importexporttools NG
- then, highlight Local Folders
- rightclick and select the importexport option to import mbox and then select that file.
This creates a folder in Local Folder, where you can review that all is well. With that much mail , it can be difficult to merger with the existing sent folder. My cautious approach would be to leave it in Local Folders.
I would also save that sent.mbox file separately as a backup. And, since POP and PCs and software do sometimes crash, I suggest periodic backups. Save these steps in case something crashes:
BACKUP
- ensure thunderbird is not running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
- highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
RESTORE
- ensure thunderbird is installed, run once, and NOT running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- delete the thunderbird folder
- you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there.
- start thunderbird and all should be there
Thank you David, all sorted.
You're very welcome. :)
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