Choices for archiving
I'm running on Windows 7 Pro. My Profile is now 6Gb+ but still runs fine after 12 years. However it is time to do some archiving. Having read up on the Internet I am left with some questions on the best option. Ideally archived messages would be stored outside my Profile but still accessible from the Thunderbird GUI. Probably not possible?? 1) If I archive within the Profile I'm assuming the software treats those messages differently in order to run faster - or does it make no difference? I have a folder structure with about 30 folders under Received and the same under Sent - I'm assuming this can be replicated in the Archive? I do not wish to archive automatically or by date. 2) If I decide to archive outside the Profile to reduce it's size for back up I'm thinking MailStore Home could be a good option for me, but I lose access through Thunderbird unless I re-import - is this correct and any views on the best program?
Chosen solution
Many Thanks Toad-Hall! The first part of your response about options for archiving within Thunderbird I had already found in Help and previous strands but it may well assist others. From what you say about indexing and mbox files I'm concluding that I may not see much speed benefit from archiving within the Profile, especially because as you will have seen my Received and Sent folders are already divided into about 30 subfolders each. I back up very simply by copying my Profile every few weeks alternately to a second hard drive and a USB stick (newer messages will still be on the mail server). I will look into the add-on you mention for backing up individual folders to see what it can do for me. Thunderbird already compacts it's folders regularly, asking me before it does so. Overall I'm thinking my best option will be to simply delete all the old stuff I'm really never likely to need anymore - means taking actual human DECISIONS instead of being lazy!
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (5)
unless your backups are really causing difficulty, I would not recommend archiving outside the Thunderbird profile at all.
My profile when I looked last was almost 20Gb
Recommendation noted with thanks, and good to know that the program can handle much bigger profiles than mine happily! Can you or someone else answer the other questions I raised though - e.g. does archiving enable the software to run faster or does it make no difference? And if the former how are the archived messages treated differently?
What folder you archive the emails to is determined here: 'Tools' > 'Account settings' >'Copies & folders' for the mail account or right click on mail account in Folder Pane and select : Settings' then select Copies & folders' for the mail account.
Message Archives select 'Keep messages archives in' Pop mail accounts: select 'Archives folder on' and the mail account name IMAP mail accounts:
select 'Other' and the Archive folder on the imap mail account
If imap gmail then 'All Mail' is the auto archive folder.
When you Archive it is best to set up your archiving options to monthly and to retain folder structure. click on 'Archive options' button
If youhave alot of emails per month, then select 'Monthly archived folders'. select : 'Keep exisitng folder structure of archived messages' click on OK click on OK
Select emails (hold Ctrl key and click to select or Ctrl +A will select all) click on 'Archive'
an Archive folder will appear. Emails are stored by year, then month, then folder structure. Don't forget to Archive the 'Sent' folder as well as it can get large over time.
Basically the files will become much smaller as there are more of them containing fewer emails. Smaller files are quicker to open, but as the indexing file is the one used it is not so large as the actual mbox file containing the emails, so you might not notice a great deal of difference.
All emails are still stored in the Thunderbird profile folder, so easy to backup all at once. All emails are still viewable via Thunderbird. Regular used folders are less cluttered.
Backup info: there are tools than can help but it is quite easy to backup manually.
Mozbackup program for backing up Profile.
Addon extension tool: ImportExporttool Can backup individual folders and also profile.
Compacting your regular used folders such as Inbox and Junk to remove all old traces of previously deleted emails. This will release space in the files and tidy them up. Info on compacting and additional info on how to maintain a healthy thunderbird.
Chosen Solution
Many Thanks Toad-Hall! The first part of your response about options for archiving within Thunderbird I had already found in Help and previous strands but it may well assist others. From what you say about indexing and mbox files I'm concluding that I may not see much speed benefit from archiving within the Profile, especially because as you will have seen my Received and Sent folders are already divided into about 30 subfolders each. I back up very simply by copying my Profile every few weeks alternately to a second hard drive and a USB stick (newer messages will still be on the mail server). I will look into the add-on you mention for backing up individual folders to see what it can do for me. Thunderbird already compacts it's folders regularly, asking me before it does so. Overall I'm thinking my best option will be to simply delete all the old stuff I'm really never likely to need anymore - means taking actual human DECISIONS instead of being lazy!
Toad-Hall for Archiving messages you had suggested 2 different settings depending on whether you have POP or IMAP. "Under Copies & folders' for the mail account, for Message Archives select 'Keep messages archives in': 1) Pop mail accounts: select 'Archives folder on and the mail account name, and 2) for IMAP mail accounts: select 'Other' and the Archive folder on the imap mail account.
Can you clarify why to select one Archive folder if using a POP account and another for IMAP accounts. I have IMAP and am trying to understand if putting my old email in a particular Archive folder has any different features than if I would put it in a folder that I created called "Old Email"? Does selecting the Other/Archive folder VS a self-created OldEmail folder function differently or have any benefits?