Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Thunderbird can download your IMAP email to a computer, giving you a local copy to fall back on if you lose access to your account. But IMAP also syncs changes: deleting a message online can delete it in Thunderbird too. For a more resilient backup, keep Thunderbird updated, export contacts separately, and back up the computer that stores the mail.
How Thunderbird backs up email
With an IMAP account, Thunderbird synchronizes messages and folders with the mail provider and stores message data locally. This works for Outlook.com and Hotmail, as well as other online accounts that support IMAP. The local copy is useful if you later lose access to the account, but it is not an independent archive: changes such as deletions can sync from the provider to Thunderbird.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As Leo A. Notenboom of Ask Leo! puts it, “If it’s only in one place, it’s not backed up.” Thunderbird adds a local copy; backing up the computer adds another recovery layer.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Set up Thunderbird to download your messages
-
Download Thunderbird from its official website. Avoid download aggregator sites.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400) | Everyday HDD storage. Plug-and-play backup. Windows & macOS. Adobe CC trial included. 1-Year Warranty- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
-
Open Thunderbird and add your existing email account. Follow the current prompts for your provider, and choose IMAP if Thunderbird offers a choice of account type.
-
Complete the provider’s sign-in and authorization steps. For Outlook.com or Hotmail, this may involve signing in through Microsoft and approving Thunderbird’s access. The screens and requirements depend on the provider and can change.
Rank #2
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
-
Leave Thunderbird open and connected while it downloads messages. If the interface provides a Download or Sync action, use it to fetch messages and folders; allow the operation to finish before relying on the local copy.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
The exact labels and authentication flow can vary by Thunderbird version and email provider. IMAP support and account settings also vary, so these steps are not a guarantee that every account can be added using the same process.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Keep the local email copy current
Run Thunderbird periodically and let it finish synchronizing. Messages received since the last session will not be in the local copy until Thunderbird connects and downloads them. A client left unused for a long time can therefore hold an outdated snapshot.
Remember that ordinary IMAP synchronization includes account activity. If you delete a message from the provider’s website or another connected device, that deletion may sync to Thunderbird. Treat the client as a synchronized local copy, not as protection against every online change.
Rank #4
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Back up contacts and Thunderbird data separately
Export contacts from your email provider
IMAP transfers email, not your contacts. Export contacts separately using your provider’s contacts or address-book tools, then save the exported file somewhere included in your computer backups.
Include Thunderbird’s local data in computer backups
Back up the computer regularly, making sure the backup captures Thunderbird’s local profile data as well as the exported contacts file. A separate backup copy—such as one stored off-site—can help if the computer itself is lost or damaged. Ask Leo! also discusses cloud storage as an off-site option in “One Year Markdown”; confirm that any backup method you choose actually includes Thunderbird’s local data and can restore it.
Best Value
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
A practical backup routine
-
Open Thunderbird regularly and wait for mail and folder updates to finish.
-
Export contacts separately and include the export in computer backups.
-
Run regular computer backups that include Thunderbird’s local profile.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Keep another backup copy separate from the computer, and check that your backup process can restore the files you need.
For provider-specific setup guidance and the Outlook.com/Hotmail example, see Ask Leo!’s “Back Up Your Email Using Thunderbird”.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
