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Can I have thunderbird on 2 computers with the same mails on each (from a few mail accounts as an archive)? I only use thunderbird offline for storage.

  • 4 replies
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  • Last reply by jen123456

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Hi there, I've downloaded and deleted all my gmail accounts. I have the .mbox files for each account. Basically I want to be offline for a while but wanted to ensure I had a record of my mails incase there is a receipt of something I need in future. I actually don't like all my private mails all being kept online. So I have got Thunderbird to store all the mail from all my accounts. I'd like to keep thunderbird and all my mails on both my laptop and main computer. Is this possible? Thanks Jen.

p.s. Someone else mentioned that I should have/could have used mac mail? I'm liking Thunderbird though if these functions are possible. Again, I don't wish to go online in future or collect any new mail as the accounts will no longer exist, other than the empty account set up specifically to start up Thunderbird.

Hi there, I've downloaded and deleted all my gmail accounts. I have the .mbox files for each account. Basically I want to be offline for a while but wanted to ensure I had a record of my mails incase there is a receipt of something I need in future. I actually don't like all my private mails all being kept online. So I have got Thunderbird to store all the mail from all my accounts. I'd like to keep thunderbird and all my mails on both my laptop and main computer. Is this possible? Thanks Jen. p.s. Someone else mentioned that I should have/could have used mac mail? I'm liking Thunderbird though if these functions are possible. Again, I don't wish to go online in future or collect any new mail as the accounts will no longer exist, other than the empty account set up specifically to start up Thunderbird.

Chosen solution

There is an easy way, and a bit more work way.

The easy way is to set one computer up (server settings, again) to leave message on the server.

Then set the other on up to download and delete them off the server.

This will require proper coordination on your part. If you download and delete on the PC and that deletes them off the server, then you can't get them on your laptop without some file copying to do.

So, you'll have to recall which is the download but leave on server and do that one first all the time. And remember which is the download and delete and do that one second all the time.



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The other method is simply locating the mail folders you have and copy them from one to the other.

Oddly enough, the local folder on your computer is also listed on that "server settings" pop-up. It's at the bottom under "Local Directory"

simply copy from one to the other.

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Can I copy my exact Thunderbox mailbox onto another computer or back it up somehow? With all the .m.boxes etc?

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Chosen Solution

There is an easy way, and a bit more work way.

The easy way is to set one computer up (server settings, again) to leave message on the server.

Then set the other on up to download and delete them off the server.

This will require proper coordination on your part. If you download and delete on the PC and that deletes them off the server, then you can't get them on your laptop without some file copying to do.

So, you'll have to recall which is the download but leave on server and do that one first all the time. And remember which is the download and delete and do that one second all the time.



=

=

The other method is simply locating the mail folders you have and copy them from one to the other.

Oddly enough, the local folder on your computer is also listed on that "server settings" pop-up. It's at the bottom under "Local Directory"

simply copy from one to the other.

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Install this add-on. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

Then you can import your mbox files into your 'Local Folders' account. You may want to create subfolders beforehand.

You can then either do the same on the other computer or copy over the entire profile. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Create_a_new_profile_and_copy_the_old_one_over_it

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Thanks for your replies. Been away from my comp. That's great. I'll just copy the files and chuck them on both computers. Thanks a million. ;)