Problems since migrating emails from old PC

[Douglas Fir]

I recently got a new laptop and am slowly migrating everything over from an old PC.

I installed Microsoft Office 2021 on the laptop and migrated my .pst files over to it. Then I set up the Outlook office client to sync with and pull my gmx.com emails to Outlook using IMAP.

I noticed I now have several duplicate folders (sent mail, outbox, junk mail, etc). I also have trouble sending out emails, either my emails hang in the outbox, or I get a certificate error. I should mention I have two email account folders in my Outlook client linked to two separate gmx.com accounts.

I remember this also happened several years ago when I changed computers. However, I don't remember how I worked through it.

Have I been doing something wrong both times? Surely this process can't be this messy.

Is there a way to start over from scratch? Or should I just start working through the problems.

[TenFour]

Not an answer for your problem, but this is a good example of why using webmail is so much better. Get a new computer and just log in and all is ready just the way you want it.

[TenFour]

And then one forgets their password or their account gets compromised . . .

Sure, bad stuff can happen with any setup, but IMHO using webmail is far and away more secure and trouble proof compared to using a local email client. I have had numerous PCs fail on me in ways that nothing was recoverable. Or it could be stolen, lost in a fire or flood, or lost with your luggage. My oldest Gmail account is now over 18 years old and I have never had a problem. Like any important account, use best security practices including long random passwords stored in a password manager and 2FA.

[Douglas Fir]

Originally Posted by TenFour

Not an answer for your problem, but this is a good example of why using webmail is so much better. Get a new computer and just log in and all is ready just the way you want it.

Yeah, I've actually been thinking of doing that.

How do I export my Outlook office client emails to Outlook.com webmail?

Will it also create duplicate folders that I will have to sort out?

[TenFour]

There is a Microsoft help article on importing pst files here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...8-ded54b3440ac

Not sure about what to do about the duplicate folder problems.

[Douglas Fir]

Originally Posted by TenFour

There is a Microsoft help article on importing pst files here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...8-ded54b3440ac

Not sure about what to do about the duplicate folder problems.

Decided to go a different route. I installed Thunderbird instead.

I want to now migrate my Outlook 2021 emails to Thunderbird. However, every article I've read says to import (or is it export?) the emails as .pst files. But I checked, and my Outlook 2021 data files are all .ost.

Could someone explain to me like I'm a 5 year old what .ost and .pst files are, how and when they are used, and how they relate to transferring between different desktop email clients?

[Douglas Fir]

Never mind. After hours of more research I found out you have to convert Outlook data files (whether .ost or .pst) to MBOX files before importing to Thunderbird.

[Avion]

I have previously used 'MailStore Home' when I used Windows, and maybe this program may be of help. Here's a link to the MailStore Blog:

https://help.mailstore.com/en/home/A...n_Email_Client

It's possible to install that program as a 'portable', in that it can be copied to an external USB drive and so transferred to another computer.

MailStore also have their own online community where you may ask for help.

[Bamb0]

Originally Posted by TenFour

Not an answer for your problem, but this is a good example of why using webmail is so much better.

Yup thats what I use.. Webmail

[odedp]

Originally Posted by Bamb0

Yup thats what I use.. Webmail

Me too... since day 1

[SideshowBob]

In my experience, IMAP is similar to webmail, you should only need to configure the client.

[TenFour]

In my experience, IMAP is similar to webmail, you should only need to configure the client.

Sure, IMAP can be useful, but in my experience you need to expect two or three problems every year getting disconnected for some reason. Plus, you lose features available when using the webmail of say Gmail. In my experience, the Gmail app is faster and more troublefree than any other phone app, plus I love the labels instead of folders. I travel to remote places a lot, and Gmail allows you to view and work on emails while offline. Also works seemlessly between web, phone, and Chromebook.