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Large mbox files will not import

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  • Last reply by sfhowes

ksterling1915
ksterling1915
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Help!!!

I have several large .mbox files (two are 89 GB and one is 60GB). Thunderbird 'hangs up' before completing the import. It has no issue importing smaller .mbox files.

Although I am working at a solution whereby I limit the size of the mbox files being exported, a solution is not forthcoming. These are Gmail accounts by the way. I have tried completing the export using Google Workspaces' Data Export Tool and well as Google Takeout (which suggests it will limit the size of the mbox exports, however, this feature appears not to actually function).

Why does Thunderbird hang up with larger .mbox files? Is is a system resources issue? What are some things I can try?

Thanks, Kim

Help!!! I have several large .mbox files (two are 89 GB and one is 60GB). Thunderbird 'hangs up' before completing the import. It has no issue importing smaller .mbox files. Although I am working at a solution whereby I limit the size of the mbox files being exported, a solution is not forthcoming. These are Gmail accounts by the way. I have tried completing the export using Google Workspaces' Data Export Tool and well as Google Takeout (which suggests it will limit the size of the mbox exports, however, this feature appears not to actually function). Why does Thunderbird hang up with larger .mbox files? Is is a system resources issue? What are some things I can try? Thanks, Kim

All Replies (1)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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How are you importing? I suggest the manual method before trying others: Help/Troubleshooting, Profile Folder, Open Folder, close TB, open Mail/Local Folders, copy an mbox file there, then restart TB. The folder should appear under Local Folders in the Folder Pane, although it may take some time to build the .msf file for large folders.

Note that the files provided by Takeout have a .mbox extension. Remove the extension before copying into the profile folder.