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Store emails in a designated local directory

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  • Last reply by Rick

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How can I store emails in a local directory? I thought the "Local Folders" serves this purpose, but it does not reflect the online folder structure. Under my account, several folders are shown, and I have subscribed to them. But none of the folders are reflected under the "Local Folders". See the attached image. 1. So what is the use of "Local Folders"? 2. It is also said that email messages are stored in the profile, which in my case is on the C drive. How can I store emails in a local directory that I choose, e.g., D drive which is different from where the profile is located? I am very confused.

How can I store emails in a local directory? I thought the "Local Folders" serves this purpose, but it does not reflect the online folder structure. Under my account, several folders are shown, and I have subscribed to them. But none of the folders are reflected under the "Local Folders". See the attached image. 1. So what is the use of "Local Folders"? 2. It is also said that email messages are stored in the profile, which in my case is on the C drive. How can I store emails in a local directory that I choose, e.g., D drive which is different from where the profile is located? I am very confused.
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Modified by yu_chen

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Local Folders for for message folders stored on the PC, normally NOT affiliated with an email account. That is, messages in local folders are retained when accounts are removed. Are your curious on this topic, or is there something you want to do? Tell us that and I think we can assist.

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Hi yu_chen,

"Local Folders", as David wrote, are not associated with on-line e-mail accounts, so they do not inherit their folder structures, and subscribing to server folders does not affect local folders.

You will have to create folders under "Local Folders". Then you can save, move, or copy messages to those folders, and they will be stored on your computer's drive.

I do not know if messages can be stored outside the profile and still appear in "Local Folders".

Rick

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Rick is giving good advice. The issue is you posted generic questions without explaining what you want to do. On Rick's comment, yes, you can have local folders outside the profile, but the 'problem' is that users typically forget that and then wonder why copying the profile doesn't include everything.

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At first I thought "Local Folders" is used to store a copy of online emails. But as you explained, it is not. Then, I was wondering what is the use of "Local Folders". As Rick explained, it can save emails from other folders. I right clicked on an email in the online folder, and there was a pop menu and I clicked on "copy to" and chose the "Local Folders", and indeed the email was copied to the "Local Folders". But it appears that it can only copy individual emails. When I clicked on the online folder and tried to copy the entire folder, nothing happened.

david said

Local Folders for for message folders stored on the PC, normally NOT affiliated with an email account. That is, messages in local folders are retained when accounts are removed. Are your curious on this topic, or is there something you want to do? Tell us that and I think we can assist.

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I repeat my request: please specify what it is that you want to accomplish. As you mentioned, there is no option to copy a folder. Are you wanting to copy the content of one folder to another one time? Or are you wanting all messages in local folders? Or something else? Until you explain your intent, I can't help.

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I will offer this: if your account is POP, the messages are already on your PC. If IMAP, you can create a filter to move them to a local folder, although that defeats the purpose of IMAP.

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You can copy and move folders from one account to another using the contextual menu (right click) on the folder.

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