outlook and IMAP

[lefenzy]

I have a question about how IMAP works. Currently I check my mail through outlook which synchronizes with the mail servers for my accounts using IMAP. I know if I delete an email in outlook, it also gets deleted on the mail server. But what happens when my mail server storage space is full? If it starts auto-deleting things online, wouldn't I lose my earliest emails? Is there a way to keep stuff on my hard drive even if I delete it online? I guess POP3 does that when you set it to delete your emails after retrieving them.

thanks

 

[ReggieDunlap]

If you're using Outlook configured with IMAP you can just copy/move messages from the IMAP location to a folder location in "Personal Folders". Meaning, Outlook creates a pst file for an email account configured. Generally, the first POP email account configured will exist in Outlook under the "Personal Folders" and carry the file name OUTLOOK.PST. When you create an IMAP email account, usually a separate pst file is created for the IMAP, so you can just copy or move mail from the IMAP location to the "Personal Folders" location.

DISCLAIMER!!!!!
Be careful if you "MOVE" a message because if the network connection is lost, you can lose the mail you are trying to move. Much like a client/server connection copying files from workstation to server, it is always best to COPY the mail then delete it from the IMAP location after you've confirmed the transfer.

 

[Nothinman]

If it starts auto-deleting things online, wouldn't I lose my earliest emails?

Depends on what emails it decides to delete, but yea. How close are you to your limit? GMail's space is virtually unlimited right now so I can't really imagine someone not having a public place to store their mail.

 

[lefenzy]

I don't know what the limit is on my university account so I'd like to take action before disappearances begin. Which folder is the personal folder? Does archiving make a difference?

 

[ReggieDunlap]

With Outlook the "Personal Folders" in the "OUTLOOK.PST" file are the Deleted Items, Drafts, Inbox, Junk Email Outbox Sent Items etc (also Calendar, Contacts, etc are included). This is usually the first option under "Mail Folders" in the left side pane of the Outlook window. The IMAP account would be shown below that. I don't believe Archiving would help you since you have an IMAP configuration and archiving is designed to keep the size of your active PST file under control - meaning, archived items are moved from your "Inbox" to a separate "Archive" PST file.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: ReggieDunlap
I don't believe Archiving would help you since you have an IMAP configuration and archiving is designed to keep the size of your active PST file under control - meaning, archived items are moved from your "Inbox" to a separate "Archive" PST file.

Archiving is used to keep the size of your primary mail store - regardless of its current connection/store - manageable. You are able to archive files from IMAP connections to PST files, or you can manually create a PST file and move email into that PST from your IMAP store.