Summary: Most users want to know how to backup IMAP emails locally. There are different approaches you can adopt to backup IMAP mailboxes into your PC. In this article, we discuss some easy yet effective methods to back up your mailbox data. But first, let us understand what an IMAP server is.
IMAP is the mailing service that is used to send and receive emails. Those email accounts that use the IMAP server are referred to as IMAP email accounts. Most email clients provide an option to enable IMAP. However, some webmail uses the IMAP server by default.
Along with webmail providers, many email accounts with custom addresses use the IMAP server. However, if you want to back up your email account with a custom email address, the procedure is not similar for every account.
Therefore, we suggest a more secure and simple way to migrate emails from IMAP in a computer.
Methods to Backup IMAP Emails Locally
Before starting backing up your IMAP emails, you must have the IMAP account configured in the MS Outlook application. After that, you can download all your emails to the local drive. The procedure to save IMAP emails locally is mentioned below.
- Launch MS Outlook on your PC and click on the File
- After that, choose the Open & Export tab from the left pane.
- Next, click on the Import/Export
- In the Import Export Wizard, select the Export to a file option and press the Next button.
- Now, choose the Outlook data file (.pst) option from the list. Hit the Next button.
- Select the mailbox folder you want to back up and click on the Next button.
- At last, define the destination for the IMAP backup file and press the Finish button.
- It will successfully migrate your IMAP mailbox locally.
After performing the above procedures, anyone can easily save their mailbox items on their PC. However, this approach is not suitable for all users. Some users find the method tough to perform.
Limitations of the Manual Approach
The manual or DIY method to backup IMAP emails locally is suitable when you have technical expertise. However, if you are a non-technical user, you might not be able to perform the steps properly. Some of the main drawbacks of the manual method are listed below.
- You can not save your complete mailbox data at once. You can only download one folder at a time.
- Using Outlook, you can only backup your emails in PST file format. Even with any other email client, there is no option to save emails in distinct file formats.
- The procedure is complicated and time-consuming for many users.
Because of all the above reasons, we suggest you opt for the automated solution that is appropriate for both technical and non-technical users.
Automated Solution to Migrate Emails from IMAP in Computer
DRS IMAP Backup Tool is the most reliable and secure tool to backup IMAP emails locally in various file types. You can save your emails as PST, EML, MSG, MBOX, HTML, PDF, etc. Along with that, you can also migrate your emails to other email accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Office 365, and many others. It offers numerous advanced options to make the migration safe and secure.
How to Download IMAP emails locally using DRS IMAP Backup Tool
- Download and install DRS IMAP Backup Tool. Run it as administrator.
- Now, fill in the required details and click on the Sign in button.
- After that, check the preview and select the mailbox items you want to backup, and press Next.
- Select the required file format/email client in the Save/Backup/Migrate As field.
- Next, opt for other tool options as per your requirement.
- At last, define the Destination Path and click on the Convert button.
Final Words
After reading this article, you surely learn the best ways to backup IMAP emails locally. We discussed IMAP emails and how you can back up your emails using MS Outlook. This approach is quite time-consuming. Also, it allows you to back up your emails only in PST file format. Therefore, we suggest the most efficient IMAP Backup Tool.
