I run Outlook 2007 and have been using a POP email service for years. I have set up an elaborate structure of folders and sub folders with varying auto archive times. I have this setup for both my Personal Folders, and my Archive Folders. I travel quite a lot and each time before I go I export my PST files to my laptop, then do the same and export the PST files to my desktop when I return. I always want access to all of my email files no matter where I am. Therefore I decided to change to an IMAP account to make it easier and less labor intensive when I travel. My current system works fine but takes probably an hour total each time I travel. I want to change from my POP to an IMAP but want to retain all of the email files that are resident on my computer, while at the same time integrating the email from my new IMAP account into the existing folder structure. I archive my Personal Folders at 30 days to the Archive Folders, then I permanently delete from my Archive Folders at 2 years. I hope this makes sense to anyone reading this.

Here are my questions:

Is this possible?

How should I start doing this and what should I consider?



Do I have to set up a similar folder structure at my ISP that is providing my email service?

Thanks

Yes it is certainly possible. You can create the folders yourself in Outlook. Certain email applications require extra steps to subscribe to an IMAP subfolder, but if you're using Outlook on both computers there's really no extra steps to make the folders accessible.

As always, the first thing you'll want to do is to back up your current PST files. You'll then need to set up the IMAP connection. You can't change a POP connection to an IMAP connection, so you'll just have to create a new one. I generally recommend creating a new profile within Outlook so that you have the old POP profile intact, just in case.

Once you've set up your connection to the IMAP server, create your subfolders and then start importing your PST. Any data you place into a folder on your IMAP connection will sync back up to the server on the next Send/Receive. If you have a lot of data, you may want to go one folder at a time to avoid bogging down your connection.

Once you've setup and synced up your email on one computer, all you need to do is create the IMAP connection on the other computer. The other computer will automatically read the folders and sync with the email you have already uploaded.

You should double check your mailbox space quota with your ISP to make sure it's sufficient for the email you're going to receive, as all the email will remain on the server until you archive it off.

-SW