[RickJ]

I'd like to move emails that I had previously saved (into folders) in Outlook Express - to Gmail.

I know I can forward them, but a) that is tedious, and b) all of those emails will have the date on them that I did the forward.

Is there a way to import all emails from a particular OE folder into Gmail?

Thanks!

[Curlyben]

Yes and no.
Yes it is possible to "move" folders to gmail, but NOT with OE (as it's not very good).

Here's how you do it, I know just did it myself.

1/ get Thunderbird - Thunderbird - Reclaim your inbox
2/ install and import information from OE.
3/ Make sure your gmail account is set up for IMAP as this keeps a copy of mails on BOTH your local machine and the server.
4/ just drag and drop from you OE account to Gmail IMAP account.
5/ Wait for them to sync up.

[RickJ]

Steps 1-2 done.

I'm lost with step 3 but thinking I don't need it as the emails that I want to get from OE are 1) only on my computer (no longer on the server), and 2) from an email address that I have not used in years... so am I safe to skip step 3?

[Curlyben]

On step 3 it's the Gmail account that you are using for "storage" that needs to be IMAP, otherwise the rest won't work.
You're basically copying the mails back to the server rather than a one way delivery (POP3)

[RickJ]

PS. Also, I don't use OE anymore and never will... so is that another reason that I don't need IMAP enabled?

[RickJ]

Oops, I was typing while you were... so I'll enable IMAP

[Curlyben]

Forgot to mention you MUST also enable IMAP on the target gmail account.

Log into Gmail
Settings
Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
IMAP Access: Enable

Also shows you how to set up thunderbird as well to accept IMAP mails.

[RickJ]

AHA, I see that IMAP is already enabled in the gmail account I use... so off to step 4.



I feel like the fool to ask, but where do I "drop"? I presume that you mean open gmail and thunderbird at the same time - and drag emails from the thunderbird listing of emails that were imported... but to where do I "drop" them?

[Curlyben]

You do all of the drag/drop within Thunderbird and the IMAP deals with the syncing.

Works just like normal file manipulation within windows.

[RickJ]

Oh. I [think I] see now. I'll do the IMAP w/tbird and see how things go from there... working...

[Curlyben]

It'll all go click in a bit ;)

[RickJ]

I have not dragged and dropped anything yet as Thunderbird is taking some time to synch up with my voluminous Gmail account.

In the meantime a question: Once I drag and drop everything I want from the old OE folders into gmail, then wait for that synch... I presume that I can just uninstall tbird and all will be good. Does that sound right?

[Curlyben]

Yes, but WHY would you want to do that..

[RickJ]

Because I'll never use Tbird or OE again. My only goal was to move old stuff from OE to Gmail.

Is there a good reason to keep Tbird?

[Curlyben]

Well if you are happy using webmail then go for it.
All personal preferences really, BUT Tbird is very useful for managing multiple accounts in one client.
Mines currently running 8 webmails.

[RickJ]

Let me clarify:

1. I am happy with gmail. I use it to manage about 25 email addresses.

2. I do not want to store any emails on any of my computers (I have 5 of them at various locations).

3. I have the gmail settings such that no emails are ever left on any servers.

So in short, I rely completely on gmail.

Based on that, is there any reason you can think of for why I should keep Thunderbird?

[Curlyben]

Completely personal really.

[RickJ]

Thanks, Ben.
I rely completely on Gmail (I know there may be arguments against it and I welcome them) so I'll do the transfers and then remove OE and TBird from my computer... unless I hear a good argument to do otherwise.

[Curlyben]

It's really more a case of ease.
As I said I use Tbird a lot for multiple accounts, but if you are happy using webmail then why change.