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A problem like this really depends on how Outlook was originally configured, whether you are using POP3 or IMAP, and how the email server is set.
by Leo A. Notenboom, © 2012
My question is why does Microsoft Outlook replicate all of my past emails that I've already looked at, answered, and dealt with? So far, I have almost 7000 emails that are being copied to my inbox and having a time stopping this situation. The situation seems to have started after we replaced a modem or router furnished by our internet supplier and a call to them was answered by them to delete Microsoft Outlook and install them again. This would of course delete the last six months of work emails that I need to keep for at least one calendar year. I'm using Windows 7 and a powerful Dell laptop. Any ideas would be appreciated and by the way, I've been all over Google regarding this without a clear answer.
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From the article: 'Outlook for Mac does not currently support CalDAV or CardDAV. This means that it is not possible to synchronize your Outlook on the web [], iCloud, Gmail calendar or contacts with Outlook 2016 for Mac.' Wow, this is a show-stopper for me!
In this excerpt from Answercast #59, I look at several configurations that would result in emailbeing kept on the server and ultimately downloaded again with a new instance ofOutlook.
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Replicating emails
So, it's not a real clear problem, but I have a couple of suggestions orthings to look at least.
In part, it really depends on how Outlook was originally configured.Normally, what happens is that the most common configuration uses POP 3 todownload your emails. In downloading your emails, it actually removes them fromthe email server. In other words, it actually moves the email fromyour email service provider's computer server to your computer into yourOutlook PST file.
Now, in a case like this, there are two scenarios that could result in theemails being downloaded twice.
Leave messages on server
One is that there's an obscure setting in Microsoft Outlook. You have to goin Account configuration, into the Advancedsettings, and there's a checkbox called Leave messages onserver.
What that does is that still uses POP 3 to download your messages, butinstead of deleting the server's copy of the messages after they've beendownloaded, they stay there. Those copies are still there. Microsoft Outlooksimply keeps track of how much it's already downloaded.
The problem arises when you configure up a new instance of MicrosoftOutlook. It doesn't know which emails have already been downloaded and as aresult, downloads them all again. That could be what you're seeing.
Now, the reason I say it 'could be' is that it's not common. It's veryunusual for this Leave messages on server to be checked. It's not by default,it's done specifically by the person who's using the computer. So I wouldexpect that that's something you would have realized; you would have knownabout it and you would have remembered setting it.
IMAP protocol
The other approach is if you're not using POP 3, but you're using somethingcalled IMAP.
IMAP is a different kind of protocol for accessing the emails stored on youremail server. Instead of moving your email from the server to your PC, itactually mirrors the email from the server on your PC.
What that means is that the master central repository for your email isconsidered to be your email server. Your instance of Outlook on your PC isreally just a window on that.
- If you read an email, it's marked 'read' on your PC and on the server.
- If you delete an email, it's deleted on your PC and on your server.
- If you move an email to a folder, that folder is created, and the email ismoved on both your PC and the server.
So that way, if you are creating a new instance of Outlook and configuringit to connect to this server using the IMAP protocol by definition, it'sgoing to give you a new window on all of your email. Yes, that typically doesmean it's going to download all of your email once again since this is a newinstance of Outlook, a new copy of your email.
IMAP and Gmail
Now the one place where it can get confusing is if IMAP is used with GoogleMail.
![Why does my gmail not download to outlook for mac download Why does my gmail not download to outlook for mac download](http://pop2imap.com/images/gmail_outlook_2011_for_mac_image15.png)
With Gmail, by default, when IMAP is used with Gmail, the delete operationactually doesn't delete.
Remember that Google Mail, Gmail, is based around an archive feature. Ingeneral, you don't delete your email - which keeps it in your emailfolder. It keeps it in your email system; it just keeps it from beingviewed in your inbox any more.
Now when IMAP enters the picture, IMAP is going to say, 'When you deletesomething on your PC, tell the server, 'Hey, delete this.'
If you configure Gmail with its default settings, it's actually not going todelete; it's going to archive (there's a default setting that you mightchange).
Check your settings
So those are the kinds of things that can lead to what you've described.
I can't say which one it is specifically in your case. But I would:
- Look at the 'Leave messages on server' option, if you're using POP 3;
- Or, understand how IMAP is working for you if in fact you're configured touse IMAP for your Outlook email access.
Next from Answercast #59 - Why can't I send email via my MiFi?
Article C5895 - October 8, 2012 «»
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- Can I delete email simultaneously from both my PC and iPad? It boils down to the difference between POP3 protocol and IMAP, but you'll need to reconfigure your email account and keep an eye on your quotas.
- What for-pay email providers do you recommend? People often use free email providers for critical data only to lose everything when a problem occurs. So what do you look for in an email provider?
October 8, 2012 10:25 AM
I am one of those that tick the 'leave messages on the server' box - it's like having a backup of your messages.
My solution when re-installing Outlook is to immediately create a rule to forward new emails to a 'Temp' folder.
When it has finished I select all new emails and move them to the inbox. Then delete the folder.
I know it's a pain having them come down twice but at least it minimises the housekeeping.
Bruce MandateMy solution when re-installing Outlook is to immediately create a rule to forward new emails to a 'Temp' folder.
When it has finished I select all new emails and move them to the inbox. Then delete the folder.
I know it's a pain having them come down twice but at least it minimises the housekeeping.
October 9, 2012 6:04 PM
I have pop mail and unchecked 'leave mail on the server' in Thunderbird' with the leave mail on the server for no more than 14 days. My mail has been staying on the server for 14 days. I've moved contacts to Thunderbird with 'yahoo_ab.ldif', but the other direction? My question then is, 'Is it possible to push individual emails from Thunderbird back to the server?' I just read this link:http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/blog/get-imap-access-on-your-email/, but since I'm only using one device, there's not the need for IMAPI. I would, however, like to have a backup for inadvertent deletions from Thunderbird post 14 days, or as a backup and, or access from another computer.
Mark JOctober 10, 2012 1:43 AM
@Bruce
If you set Thunderbird, or any email program, to access your email through IMAP, any email in your emails program's folders will be automatically uploaded to your email server.
How do I backup my Yahoo! Mail? explains how to set up Thunderbird for Yahoo IMAP access.
If you set Thunderbird, or any email program, to access your email through IMAP, any email in your emails program's folders will be automatically uploaded to your email server.
How do I backup my Yahoo! Mail? explains how to set up Thunderbird for Yahoo IMAP access.
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Web based email clients like Gmail are popular as users can access their emails from anywhere through internet. So many desktop email client users keep a copy of their emails in web mails. Here, we will discuss how Outlook for Mac users can export their emails to Gmail, a very popular web based email application.
Why You Need to do OLM to Gmail Migration?
If you want to access your Outlook for Mac emails in Gmail, then you need to move them to Gmail from OLM files. So, export all your emails to Gmail, manually or using professional tools.
Difficulties in Manual OLM to Gmail Migration
While using manual methods, you have to make sure that all your emails are precisely migrated to the Gmail account. If manual methods are not successful, then migrate the emails using a good OLM to Gmail migration tool. Some of the disadvantages of manual methods are:
- Time consuming: The manual method consists of four major steps, and each step has multiple sub steps. Hence, this process is lengthy and time consuming.
- You need to be a technocrat: Manual migration of your OLM emails into Gmail account is very complex and you need to have good knowledge about what are you trying to do.
- No guarantee of data integrity: While migrating your Mac emails into Gmail account, the manual process does assure data integrity.
Export OLM to Gmail Using Kernel for OLM to PST Tool
Kernel for OLM to PST tool is widely used export OLM emails into Gmail. This tool saves all the items of the OLM file into Gmail Account, like contacts, appointments, events, email data etc. It also repairs the damaged or corrupted OLM emails and saves them into Gmail. This tool gives you the 100% guarantee of data integrity during the migration process.
Steps to Move OLM Emails to Gmail Using Kernel for OLM to PST
- Launch Kernel for OLM to PST and click Select File on the menu bar.
- Click the Browse button to choose the file location of OLM files. Click Next.
Note: If you do not know the location of the OLM files then you can click on Search to find the OLM files from your system. - To proceed with the process, click the Finish button
- Now you can preview all the emails of the OLM file.
- Click on the Save button.
- Choose the format of file in which you want to save (here, Gmail) and click Next.
- Provide the filtering criteria and click Next.
- Now provide your Gmail credentials and click Finish.
- Wait till the software saves OLM emails in Gmail.
- After the process, all your OLM emails will be saved in your Gmail account and you can access them using your Gmail account.
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125777804/776574353.jpg)
Also, Kernel for OLM to PST allows the user to save the recovered/repaired mails in multiple file saving formats for example, PST, DBX, EML, MBOX, etc. This software gives you the most accurate results and maintains the data integrity of all OLM files.
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