First, do not attempt to change the POP account to IMAP. Instead, create the IMAP account along side of the POP account, Now, since iMAP wasn't designed for high volume uploads, I suggest creating a filter to run manually to COPY the messages from the POP account to the IMAP account. Once you have done that, you can delete the POP account.

I do not want the emails in my POP account uploaded to a IMAC account. They need to stay on my computer. I know I need to create a new IMAP account for each of the two POP accounts. How do I get the messages in my POP accounts into the new IMAP accounts?

I still need to address the issue of having three different accounts and how to handle them.

I am confused. It seems your first sentence says you don't want POP uploaded to IMAC? ( I inferred you meant IMAP). If true, that contradicts your request to upload POP messages to IMAP. Please clarify and we can go from there. Thank you.

My bad. New start. I now have two POP accounts on my new computer with all their associated emails. I want to start using IMAP and I want LOCAL access to all of the POP emails. I would like the POP accounts to go away. The emails for one of the POP accounts are currently in the Local folder. How do I proceed?

Ok, a simple way, if you're comfortable with windows file explorer is this: - locate the Mail\<POPaccount> folder when thunderbird is NOT running and copy the POP message files such as inbox and sent to the Mail\Local Folders folder, and restart Thunderbird. Do NOT copy the msf files, as those index files are automatically recreated. - if you are uncomfortable with that, you can use the addon, importexporttools, and then highlight Local Folders, rightclick and select the importexport option to import mbox files, and then select those same Mail\<POPaccount> files and the addon will place them in the Local Folders folder for you.

If you do not know where the files are, do this - click help>troubleshootinginformation - scroll down to 'profile folder' and click 'open folder' - exit thunderbird and you are now in the profile where you can see the Mail folder.

Let me know if you need assistance there.

And, once done, you can delete the POP account. :)

Solved the problem. I now know a bit more about IMAP and the function of the Local folder. Just wanted to say thanks. Bob

I was glad to assist. :)