Tips and tricks for working offline with IMAP
To speed up your email software, IMAP will often download just the
"headers" of each email, and only download the contents of the email
when you need it.
While this can be useful, it can cause problems if you want to view
your emails while not connected to the internet. However, you can
adjust the settings of your email software so that you download the
complete emails, allowing you to access them anytime you want.
The process itself is quick and easy, but will differ depending upon which software you are using.
Important: While this process will store a local copy of your emails on your machine, you should always make regular backups of your email.
Outlook Express, Windows Mail and Live Mail
Step 1: Open Outlook Express. A list of your accounts will be seen on the left of the screen.
Step 2: Right click on the folder you want to make available if you are offline.
Step 3: Hover your mouse over Synchronisation Settings in the side menu that appears, click All Messages or New Messages Only.
Note: Selecting All messages will synchronize all the contents within the folder, this may take a long time to complete.
Outlook 2003 and 2007
Step 1: Open Outlook and click
Tools.
Step 2: In the drop down menus, select Send/Receive, Send/Receive Settings and Define Send/Receive Groups.
Step 3: Click Edit. A new window will open.
Step 4: In the Receive mail items section, select Use the custom behaviour defined below.
Step 5: Select the folders you would like to download the complete emails for and click Download complete item including attachments.
Step 6: Click OK and Close to make the changes and return to Outlook.
Thunderbird
Step 1: Open Thunderbird, then click
Tools and
Account Settings in the drop down menu.
Step 2: A list of your accounts will be displayed, click Offline & Disc Space for the account you want to edit.
Step 3: Tick the box marked Make the messages in my Inbox available when I am working offline.
Step 4 Click OK to make the changes and return to Thunderbird.
Mac Mail
Step 1: Open Mail. Click
Mail, then
Preferences in the drop down menu.
Step 2: Click Advanced. In the Keep copies of messages for offline viewing section, select All messages and their attachments from the list of options.
