Exporting from Exchange IMAP
I have decided I do not want to keep using IMAP.. I want to go back to the way things were before.. I am wanting to go back to POP...
What is the safest way to take my email's off of the exchange server ( using O365 IMAP protocol ) to safely take them / or copy them to my LOCAL FOLDER'S?
I tried using the IMPORTEXPORT add on.. But every time I try to export I get a warning message saying " You're exporting the local copy of a IMAP or NEWS server. The local folder could not have all of the messages present in a remote folder blah blah blah"
Thanks, Chris
All Replies (4)
Set up the account a second time, but using POP. You will need to give it a slightly different name to stop Thunderbird complaining about "this server already exists". You could just rename the old IMAP account to avoid this duplication problem. You may need to look up the settings for POP and use them to override Thunderbird's preference for IMAP.
Then copy or move all the messages from the old IMAP-based account into the new POP account.
I guess that if you have left messages in the Inbox, then for these in particular they will just download automatically. If you have been arranging messages into subfolders, you will need to manually copy or move them.
When you're happy that you have rescued all the messages you want to keep, delete the old IMAP-based account. Go to Edit|Account Settings, select the unwanted account, and use the Account Actions button at the bottom to remove it.
What's the problem with IMAP? I stopped using POP years ago…
Modified by Zenos
To copy would be hold control and drag the folder to the LOCAL FOLDERS?
Well, I have my own domain and I'm thinking about switching away from Exchange and I feel strapped to stay on Exchange if I can't get my email off of the server. It's like TB is holding it hostage :( .
Chris
Zenos said
Set up the account a second time, but using POP. You will need to give it a slightly different name to stop Thunderbird complaining about "this server already exists". You could just rename the old IMAP account to avoid this duplication problem. You may need to look up the settings for POP and use them to override Thunderbird's preference for IMAP. Then copy or move all the messages from the old IMAP-based account into the new POP account. I guess that if you have left messages in the Inbox, then for these in particular they will just download automatically. If you have been arranging messages into subfolders, you will need to manually copy or move them. When you're happy that you have rescued all the messages you want to keep, delete the old IMAP-based account. Go to Edit|Account Settings, select the unwanted account, and use the Account Actions button at the bottom to remove it. What's the problem with IMAP? I stopped using POP years ago…
Oops..... Trapped not strapped.
Chris
Why do you assume you cannot copy these messages? Have you tried it yet?
Given your original query, I took it that you have an account set up to use IMAP and now you'd prefer to have it work through POP. So I suggest you copy the messages to the new POP version. I'm not sure why you have interpreted this as moving or copying them to Local Folders.
I am not sure that Thunderbird is intended to support the copying or moving of folders. I prefer to build the folder structure in the new location by hand and then copy or move their contents. I prefer the right-click|move to... command over drag and drop. D&D seems prone to dropping messages into unexpected places if you are at all hesitant when using the mouse.