Solved Moving from POP3 to IMAP


IanMosley

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How do I transfer my Contacts & Reminders in doing the above?
 

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When configuring an e-mail account to Microsoft Outlook or other e-mail client, and it cannot be done automatically, you are asked which protocol you want to use to connect to the e-mail server. The "traditional" protocol is POP3 which keeps a copy of all your inbox and sent messages locally (at your hard disk). The newer protocol is IMAP which access your e-mail directly from the server (no local copy), much like Google mail or other online services. You can configure one application with POP3 for local backup and a second application as IMAP to access them online, but then you won't have access without internet, obviously.

What application are you using? If it is Microsoft Outlook, click on File (or icon) top left and then Open & Export (this is from Microsoft Office 2016, other versions might differ slightly). Now click Import and Export. Select Export to a File and click Next. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) From there make sure you check the box "Include subfolders" and select the items you want to backup. To take a full backup of your account, click the name of the account. From the same point you can import these data back to Microsoft Outlook. If you are using a different application, it should either accept .pst files directly or there might be a utility to import it.
 

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  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8655)
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    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
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    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
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    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
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    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
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I did same about 10 years ago, so from memory.

1. Precautionary measures.

Export Emails and Contacts etc to some files probably .PST or .CSV or whatever either from your Email client/Contacts Apps or from Webmail Access.
For POP3 protocol there is usually a tick box for "Keep Emails on server" option, obviously a good option in going to IMAP.

Check you have all Emails on the server by using the Webmail interface for each Account.

2. Once you are happy precautions have been taken, then just change to IMAP.

That worked for me, never lost anything and never actually had to use those saved exported files.
 

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My Computer

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8728)
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro Max Tower T2 FCT2250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Memory
    32.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics (128 MB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2714H Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x 512GB M.2 XG10d SED KIOXIA PCIe solid state drive (Internal)
    1 x 2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2UB102 HDD (Internal)
    1 x 1TB Seagate STGX4000400 External HDD
    1 x 4TB Seagate STGX4000400 External HDD
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    Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600
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    BaseBoard Manufacturer Dell Inc.
    BaseBoard Product 022RY57
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1. Export contacts to .csv file Export contacts in Outlook - Microsoft Support

2. Export calendar to .csv file . Open Outlook, and go to the Calendar view. Click File > Menu, and choose Open &. In the “Open” panel, choose the Import / Export Wizard. Choose Export to a file, then select the format you want to export events in: Comma Separated Values (csv file)
Note: you can verify all your contacts and calendar were exported by opening the .csv files in Excel.

3. Delete current pop3 email account in Outlook. Close and reopen Outlook.

4. Create new imap account in outlook

5 Import both contacts and calendar .csv files back into outlook....
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
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    Dell Optiplex 7080
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    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
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    DELL 0J37VM
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    32 gb
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    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
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    Integrated Realtek
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    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
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    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
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    500w
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    MT
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    Logitech wired
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    Logitech wireless
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    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
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    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
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    Defender+MWB Premium
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    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
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    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
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    32 gb
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    integrated
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    integrated
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    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
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    1TB Crucial nvme
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    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
1. Export contacts to .csv file Export contacts in Outlook - Microsoft Support

2. Export calendar to .csv file . Open Outlook, and go to the Calendar view. Click File > Menu, and choose Open &. In the “Open” panel, choose the Import / Export Wizard. Choose Export to a file, then select the format you want to export events in: Comma Separated Values (csv file)
Note: you can verify all your contacts and calendar were exported by opening the .csv files in Excel.

3. Delete current pop3 email account in Outlook. Close and reopen Outlook.

4. Create new imap account in outlook

5 Import both contacts and calendar .csv files back into outlook....
Why .csv? Doesn't the Outlook (Classic) support .pst files?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (5699), 25H2 (8655)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8655)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
@spapakons The OP's direct question was " How do I transfer my Contacts & Reminders in doing the above?" That is the question I answered.
Exporting contacts (and calendar) to CSV files is Outlook's method for dealing with only contacts and calendar reminders.
Whereas, a PST file contains the entire user account including emails.

If he wants his entire account including emails migrated, he can copy his existing PST file from C:\Users\hisusername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
to another location. Delete old POP account in Outlook, Create the new IMAP account,and manually import everything from the PST file he copied to the new OST account. Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file - Microsoft Support
Note: using this method may result in duplicate emails if the old pop3 account was provisioned to "keep emails on server"
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (Build 26200.8728)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro Max Tower T2 FCT2250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 285 5.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
    Memory
    32.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics (128 MB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2714H Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x 512GB M.2 XG10d SED KIOXIA PCIe solid state drive (Internal)
    1 x 2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2UB102 HDD (Internal)
    1 x 1TB Seagate STGX4000400 External HDD
    1 x 4TB Seagate STGX4000400 External HDD
    1 x 6TB WD Elements AE 2689 External HDD
    PSU
    500 Watts
    Cooling
    Air
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600
    Mouse
    Microsoft USB Basic Optical Mouse v2.0
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender + Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    BaseBoard Manufacturer Dell Inc.
    BaseBoard Product 022RY57
    BaseBoard Version A01
Yesterday that I checked the steps to provide guidance, I saw you can specify what to backup when creating a .pst file. Only if you select the email account on top it creates a full backup. I might be wrong though.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (5699), 25H2 (8655)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v25H2 (build 26200.8655)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
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