transfer and manage message filters between accounts
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
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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.
Hi david!
Many thanks for your response and for the long delay! In finally managed to switch to IMAP and take my filters with me. Your solutions help a lot!
There is just an other related issue that popped up and is also not covered by the general switch-to-Imap article: how can I take my identities (multiple mail-addresses, compose settings, ... configurable via Account Settings -> <any account> -> Manage Identities...) with me? Does this have an equally simple solutions? Many thanks again!
Pauliman
I may not be understanding, but your addressbook and your general thunderbird settings remain the same. The only settings I can think of would be any IMAP-specific settings for the account, such as where to save folders, etc.
I'm talking about the identities one can setup per account to use different e-mail addresses, names, signatures, etc. on compose/reply. I've some e-mails accounts that forward their messaged into my main account. In this main account (the one I'm accessing with Thunderbird) I've setup multiple identities to compose messages with the respective account details. This way I have an account for mailing lists which uses the respective identity when replying to a message from the list. This identities are configurable per account using account setup and the button "Manage Identities..." on the lower right of the main page. As I'm trying to convert my main account from using Pop3 to Imap, I followed the guide and setup the account as new account using Imap. Unfortunately I don't see how to transfer the identities I've create for the Pop3 representation of the account to the Imap one. (Thanks to our help, the message filter has been transferred moving messages from the mailing list to a dedicated folder. However, when replying to such a message, my default identity is used, which is not accepted by the list server... Thats why I would like to transfer my identities...)
Pauliman
Identities are stored in the prefs.js file. If the file becomes corrupted, thunderbird will not start. If the POP accounts still exist, you could browse the info in prefs.js for possible content to copy, but I recommend taking the safe route and reenter the identify info manually. If the POP and IMAP are on same profile, you may find that you can copy from the POP account pane and paste into the IMAP account pane. I have never tried copying that from Prefs.js but felt you should at least know of the option.
Identities are stored in the prefs.js file. If the file becomes corrupted, thunderbird will not start. If the POP accounts still exist, you could browse the info in prefs.js for possible content to copy, but I recommend taking the safe route and reenter the identify info manually. If the POP and IMAP are on same profile, you may find that you can copy from the POP account pane and paste into the IMAP account pane. I have never tried copying that from Prefs.js but felt you should at least know of the option.
Many thanks for your quick response! I've checked prefs.js and found the respective section to copy. However, it looks like there a lot more that would get transferred by coping the entire block, so I took your advice and entered the identities manually. Turns out its a good change for cleanup. Many thanks for all your help!
Pauliman
You're very welcome. I was glad to assist. :)
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