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Need to recover Folders from Inbox from failed IMAP Server

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  • Nzaghachi ikpeazụ nke bmaloneco

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Hi, An IMAP server failed and I have a backup of the folders from the Inbox that I need to restore. I cannot use the backup and restore feature because I cannot run an export and subsequent import. The profile has changed as a new server was rebuilt and put into place the original files which were restored on the server from the back up files. Now the folders show as unavailable (greyed out) in the inbox in Thunderbird and have no emails in them.

There is a backup of the folders/files from the profile for the inbox only. There are only current profile files from the current updated server. When Thunderbird connects the profile obviously syncs to the new IMAP server with no emails.

Does someone have a method to either import or reload these files?

Bill

Hi, An IMAP server failed and I have a backup of the folders from the Inbox that I need to restore. I cannot use the backup and restore feature because I cannot run an export and subsequent import. The profile has changed as a new server was rebuilt and put into place the original files which were restored on the server from the back up files. Now the folders show as unavailable (greyed out) in the inbox in Thunderbird and have no emails in them. There is a backup of the folders/files from the profile for the inbox only. There are only current profile files from the current updated server. When Thunderbird connects the profile obviously syncs to the new IMAP server with no emails. Does someone have a method to either import or reload these files? Bill

All Replies (2)

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I suggest you revert things to a point where your folders are not in your current profile at all. It may be that the new server simply does not support folders hanging off the inbox. Or it requires then there and only there. the locations of folders under IMAP is entirely based on the server configuration.

Then once you have the folders outside Thunderbird install this add-on https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

Create a folder in "Local Folders" and import the information using the add-on. If the files are native Thunderbird use the mbox import methods.

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Hi Matt, thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately, there is no way to revert back to where I was. I have recovered from these folders in the past. I even moved these files folders, when the pc client was offline and before connecting back to the server, into local folders and created a new account on a fresh machine with the attempt to install the folders with no success. Once there is a sync with the server, these old folders/files disappear.

Also, I am familiar with the Import/Export tools and initially ran this application but unfortunately, it wasn't successful.

I was finally able to restore from a backup off the server. Once I returned to the correct user permissions I was able to recover everything. This system uses Dovecot and is similar to the mbox storage method. The key was a precise return to the exact old folders.

Thanks, Bill