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Copy/Export email cache from discontinued IMAP account

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 94 views
  • Last reply by rooker87

rooker87
rooker87
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I've got old emails cached locally for 2 IMAP accounts. Merely as a backup. Both of these accounts are long gone for years, but I always kept the emails as backup/archive copy.

However, when I try to move/migrate my profile to another computer (as I've successfully done many times over many years without problems), now these IMAP folders/emails vanish. Whenever I try to copy or repair these folders, Thunderbird prompts for a login and won't let me continue without. Login is impossible though since the accounts are long gone. :/

Is there a way to kind of "materialize" the IMAP cache which I can see and browse before I migrate the profile?


Big thanks in advance! PS: Next time I'll archive them while the accounts are still active. I promise! ;)

I've got old emails cached locally for 2 IMAP accounts. Merely as a backup. Both of these accounts are long gone for years, but I always kept the emails as backup/archive copy. However, when I try to move/migrate my profile to another computer (as I've successfully done many times over many years without problems), now these IMAP folders/emails vanish. Whenever I try to copy or repair these folders, Thunderbird prompts for a login and won't let me continue without. Login is impossible though since the accounts are long gone. :/ '''Is there a way to kind of "materialize" the IMAP cache which I can see and browse before I migrate the profile?''' Big thanks in advance! PS: Next time I'll archive them while the accounts are still active. I promise! ;)

Chosen solution

I think I found out why some re-imported messages were "missing": During the import of EML files, Thunderbirds message filters were applied.

Therefore, these imported emails were now (correctly, but unexpectedly) moved to their corresponding topic folders according to my enabled filters.


Let's say: Case closed ;)

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All Replies (2)

rooker87
rooker87 Question owner
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I've now tried "[ImportExportTools NG](https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/?src=ss)", which is able to export the local cache as MBOX or EML (for example). Great!

Although the created files look okay (from manually eye-balling it using a text editor), but when doing a re-import (either from EML or MBOX files), the results don't seem 100% proper and in some cases not all messages show up.

Strange...

If someone has a better idea, I'm still all ears. Until then, I'm at least happy that I have some sort of materialized copy :)

rooker87
rooker87 Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

I think I found out why some re-imported messages were "missing": During the import of EML files, Thunderbirds message filters were applied.

Therefore, these imported emails were now (correctly, but unexpectedly) moved to their corresponding topic folders according to my enabled filters.


Let's say: Case closed ;)