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how can i stop thunderbird checking for new mail?

Mr_Loggerjack
Mr_Loggerjack
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Thunderbird 52.1.1 (64-bit) on Linux Mint 18

After years of using Thunderbird, I need to swap to something web-based. I would still like to continue using Thunderbird as a search-and-read tool for 18GB of old emails but I don't want it to load any more new email. How do I achieve this? In server settings I have unchecked "check for new messages at startup" and "check for new messages ever xx minutes" but new emails still arrive.

If I change server and user names, Thunderbird bombards me with time out warnings. How do I get it to stop trying?

Thunderbird 52.1.1 (64-bit) on Linux Mint 18 After years of using Thunderbird, I need to swap to something web-based. I would still like to continue using Thunderbird as a search-and-read tool for 18GB of old emails but I don't want it to load any more new email. How do I achieve this? In server settings I have unchecked "check for new messages at startup" and "check for new messages ever xx minutes" but new emails still arrive. If I change server and user names, Thunderbird bombards me with time out warnings. How do I get it to stop trying?

Chosen solution

IMAP is synchronized to the server. There is no good long term way of storing email in an imap account without regular connection to the server and subsequent collection of new mail. I suggest you export them all using the import export tools as mbox files and import them to local folders in Thunderbird then delete the mail account from Thunderbird.

You could drag the emails to local folders, but exporting and importing is very little extra effort and does not carry the same data loss risks as drag and drop..

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

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All Replies (4)

Matt
Matt
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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is your account IMAP? It sounds like it is.

Mr_Loggerjack
Mr_Loggerjack Question owner
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Hi Matt,

Yes it's IMAP.

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

IMAP is synchronized to the server. There is no good long term way of storing email in an imap account without regular connection to the server and subsequent collection of new mail. I suggest you export them all using the import export tools as mbox files and import them to local folders in Thunderbird then delete the mail account from Thunderbird.

You could drag the emails to local folders, but exporting and importing is very little extra effort and does not carry the same data loss risks as drag and drop..

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

Mr_Loggerjack
Mr_Loggerjack Question owner
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OK Matt, I'll take your advice. Most of my emails are already in local folders. I just need to tidy up some loose ends and decide a cut-off date.

Thanks for your help.