How to transfer TBird archives from IMAP server to a local disk
I have a large amount of email stored on an IMAP server. Would like to reduce that by moving most or all of it to a local disk drive. Am looking for a (hopefully simple) guide to doing the transfer. I don't see a Local Folders entry in the left-hand pane; not sure if that matters. (Presently running TB 115.10.1 64-bit on Windows 10 and 11.)
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In TB, you have the email profiles at the top in the lh pane and the offline folders in a separate place below them. You can make folders here and then click-drag the files into them to make a local copy.
I don't see a Local Folders entry in the left-hand pane; not sure if that matters.
It does. Did you rename the Local Folders account at some point, or did you attempt to delete it?
Also, please post your Troubleshooting Information. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button , then select Help > Troubleshooting Information. Press the "Copy text to clipboard button" and paste the information into your reply.
> Did you rename the Local Folders account at some point, or did you attempt to delete it?
Not that I recall; certainly not recently (last few years). I did shift from POP to IMAP years ago. I see under "Account Settings" a heading for Local Folders, at the same level as my two IMAP accounts.
Rather than post the 34K troubleshooting info inline, I uploaded it to TB troubleshooting info but I can post the whole thing here if needed.
As per your Troubleshooting Information the 'Local Folders' account exists.
What do you see in your folder pane? Please post a screenshot with all accounts visible. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem
Thanks! Yes, I see the Local Folders directory on File Explorer. Attached are screenshots of the TB folder pane, the Account Settings, and the files under the Local Folders directory (which shows Sent activity as of last May). [since deleted]
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Looking at your third screenshot, your profile seems to be located on drive E: Did you deliberately move it there?
What is the profile folder? https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_how-do-i-find-my-profile
Your cache folders are located inside the profile. That doesn't help when backing up the profile, as cache data doesn't need to be backed up. On the other hand, my guess would be you never backed up your profile. Am I right?
Since the Local Folders account apparent is missing in the first screenshot, what is the 'Local Directory' setting for the 'Local Folders' account? Check your Account Settings.
[deleted]
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Once again: What is the 'Local Directory' setting for the 'Local Folders' account?
What is your profile folder (the full path)?
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E:\TBirdFiles\ronks\Mail\Local Folders
Date modified: 5/14/2024
For the last time: what is your profile folder?
As I stated above,
> I see that %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\ points to C:\Users\[myuserID]\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles
More precisely, [deleted]
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Thank you. Why was that so hard?
Do you see a directory
C:\Users\Gawain\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\sgy9xpb8.default\Mail\Local Folders
in the file system?
If so, then you'll have to adjust the 'Local Directory' setting for the 'Local Folders' account to
C:\Users\Gawain\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\sgy9xpb8.default\Mail\Local Folders
It currently points to the orphan profile on the E: drive.
Restart Thunderbird. Do you now see Local Folders in the Folder Pane?
Modified
Chosen Solution
I figured out the answer on my own; problem solved.