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old/redundant IMAP account keeps asking asks for p/w - even though set to off-line.

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  • Last reply by david

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Why does an imap account, (in this case redundant), keep asking for p/w despite being set to off-line? How does one stop this?

The option to Keep Messages on this Computer is selected. The msgs & attachments physically exist and can easily be viewed after clicking cancel at every P/W prompt.

It is just so annoying that there appears to be no way to stop this behavior.

Copying folder content to local folders usually fails after the first couple of messages (if one selects multiple messages), and one can not copy over 30,000 messages one by one.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Why does an imap account, (in this case redundant), keep asking for p/w despite being set to off-line? How does one stop this? The option to Keep Messages on this Computer is selected. The msgs & attachments physically exist and can easily be viewed after clicking cancel at every P/W prompt. It is just so annoying that there appears to be no way to stop this behavior. Copying folder content to local folders usually fails after the first couple of messages (if one selects multiple messages), and one can not copy over 30,000 messages one by one. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

All Replies (5)

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You cannot mark accounts offline; that is why you are prompted each time.

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Actually, one can.

Account settings, sync & storage, advanced, items for offline use.

Either way, the question is how to disable the prompt for a redundant imap account.

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That only defines folders you want available when offline. That in no way pauses the account. Unless you delete the account, you will continue to be prompted.

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Hi David,

Appreciate you trying to be helpful, but it is logically nuts that every click on an email which is from a closed IMAP account - and stored locally on a device, requires this every time. While there may be no wasted bandwidth, it is certainly a waste of user time.

I assume the best approach would have been, prior to terminating the account on the server, to delete the IMAP account on the client, create a new account specifying it as POP, and then physically download all messages.

Though this would be a waste of bandwidth since the messages were already stored locally. But maybe it's the only logical solution to an illogical problem.

Thanks any way for your remarks. kind regards.

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If your desire is to keep messages from an IMAP account no longer needed, I suggest - clicking File>offline to select option to ensure all messages have been downloaded - click help>moretroubleshootinginformation - scroll down to 'profile folder' and click 'open folder' You will now be in profile. click the Imapmail folder, then your account folder, and then highlight and COPY the message folders and store in the Mail\LocalFolders folder (renaming if needed) - restart thunderbird and verify the folders are ok - delete the IMAP account