Read on to learn how to backup your web-based email using open source email software Thunderbird.
While thats wonderful nobody lost any important emails its also very unsettling.
Not every Oops, we lost your data!
scenario ends so well.
Today were going to walk you through backing up your email using the free and robust open-source app Thunderbird.
Enable POP for all mailand2.
When messages are accessed with POP keep Gmails copy in the Inbox.
Fill in your username and password then click continue.
Were going to switch from the default of IMAP to POP.
ClickCreate Accountand youre in business.
Thunderbird will authenticate your account against the server and warn you if the authentication fails.
Baring that, youll find yourself back at theAccount Settingsscreen.
While were still in theAccount Settingsscreen we need to check a few very important prefs before leaving.
Click onServer Settingsunder your account login name on the left hand side of the window.
We need to make a few adjustments here.
Change theCheck for new messages every 10 minutessetting to1 minute.
For the initial download we need the frequency of checks really high.
Also make sureLeave messages on serveris checked anduncheck For at most…andUntil I delete them.
UnderDisk Spacemake sureDont delete any messagesis checked (it should be, by default).
This operation is totally backup-oriented.
We dont want Thunderbird getting any wise ideas and deleting anything.
When youre done click OK in the corner and return to the main Thunderbird dashboard.
If Thunderbird isnt already downloading email, clickGet Mailin the corner to start the process.
At this point everything is on autopilot.
Thunderbird will continue to check your email every minute and download new messages bit by bit.
Here is one of the quirks of POP downloading, each batch will be roughly 400-600 messages in size.
Youll never see a massive download of all your email at one time.
Be prepared, if you have a big account, to leave it running for awhile.
Have a pressing question about your email or other technological issues?
Hit us up for an answer atask@howtogeek.comand well do our best to help.
