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transfer and manage message filters between accounts

Thunderbird Import and export settings
david replied
pauliman
pauliman

Hi all!

Years back, I created my first account using POP3 when IMAP storage was expensive. Over the years I added many message filters to organize my tasks. Now I'd like to switch to IMAP and found everything I need, except for how to move/convert/copy my message filters. So my question is how can I transfer my message filters when recreating the account using IMAP? (I have a lot of filters, recreating them is no good option...)

I also noticed, that I have some filters for "Local Folders" and some for my POP3 account. Whats you're recommendation for that? Merge them into a single list assigned to the account? How can I do that?

Pauliman

Hi all! Years back, I created my first account using POP3 when IMAP storage was expensive. Over the years I added many message filters to organize my tasks. Now I'd like to switch to IMAP and found everything I need, except for how to move/convert/copy my message filters. So my question is how can I transfer my message filters when recreating the account using IMAP? (I have a lot of filters, recreating them is no good option...) I also noticed, that I have some filters for "Local Folders" and some for my POP3 account. Whats you're recommendation for that? Merge them into a single list assigned to the account? How can I do that? Pauliman

All Replies (1)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

The filters are in a text file named msgfilterrules.dat, located in the account folder in either the imapmail or mail folder of profile. I suggest opening it in notepad (or another text editor) to review. If everything will stay the same, you can simply copy it to the desired accoount folder, but more likely some of names may change. It can be a little dellicate but not as dicey as it sounds. :)

I cannot speak accuratly on the local folders question, but I have successfully merged filters. I believe if you look at the filters the first two lines can be removed from the filter being merged elsewhere. I defer to you on ensuring that the filter fits in the new account.

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