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How to mass-move messages from IMAP folders to Local Folders?

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I've got about 150 folders on my IMAP account, most of them are distribution lists I'm subscribed to and using filters, they get automatically moved to their associated IMAP folder upon arrival. As I don't have unlimited storage on my IMAP server I got the same folders also under Local Folders, and every once in a while I move all the emails from the IMAP folders into their associated folder under Local Folders. Needless to say that this is quite cumbersome and time consuming so I'm wondering if there's a better alternative for this?

Is there a method / extension that can mass-move emails from X number of folders on my IMAP account to X number of folders under Local Folders?

I've got about 150 folders on my IMAP account, most of them are distribution lists I'm subscribed to and using filters, they get automatically moved to their associated IMAP folder upon arrival. As I don't have unlimited storage on my IMAP server I got the same folders also under Local Folders, and every once in a while I move all the emails from the IMAP folders into their associated folder under Local Folders. Needless to say that this is quite cumbersome and time consuming so I'm wondering if there's a better alternative for this? Is there a method / extension that can mass-move emails from X number of folders on my IMAP account to X number of folders under Local Folders?

Chosen solution

Synchronise your subscribed folders to get a copy in thunderbird. Then go into offline mode. Highlight emails you want to move Note; To select all emails in folder. click on first email to get focus, then Ctrl + A

To select a block: click on first email you want to copy hold down Shift and click on last email

To select various emails. hold down Ctrl key and use mouse to select various emails

right click on highlighted emails and select 'Copy to' choose a folder in Local Folders account. Check you can access those emails via Local Folders. If you have got a copy into Local Folders, you can then choose to delete the emails that are in the imap folder. then go back to 'online' mode. imap folders will synch with server to update the server.

How to synchronise your folders:

How to go into 'offline' mode: click on the two blue screen icon located far left in bottom Status bar

How to go into 'online' mode: click on the two black screen icon located far left in bottom Status bar

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All Replies (2)

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Chosen Solution

Synchronise your subscribed folders to get a copy in thunderbird. Then go into offline mode. Highlight emails you want to move Note; To select all emails in folder. click on first email to get focus, then Ctrl + A

To select a block: click on first email you want to copy hold down Shift and click on last email

To select various emails. hold down Ctrl key and use mouse to select various emails

right click on highlighted emails and select 'Copy to' choose a folder in Local Folders account. Check you can access those emails via Local Folders. If you have got a copy into Local Folders, you can then choose to delete the emails that are in the imap folder. then go back to 'online' mode. imap folders will synch with server to update the server.

How to synchronise your folders:

How to go into 'offline' mode: click on the two blue screen icon located far left in bottom Status bar

How to go into 'online' mode: click on the two black screen icon located far left in bottom Status bar

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Thanks for the tip and indeed, that does the job at least a bit faster then pulling them directly from the IMAP server. Thanks a lot!