Emails faithfully transmit our thoughts at a click. Not a trivial matter. This makes it even more significant that you have a strong security system in place. For IMAP email users, you need a solid backup utility that can do its job with the same level of security and efficiency as modern email providers.

It’s a strategic move, like defending a slice of history that could one day tell the story of your business’s growth, your projects, or even your personal milestones. The world of emails is tricky but fascinating. It is where the vital intersects with the vulnerable. Therefore, understanding the nuances of an effective backup solution like Mail Backup X is a good practice, but it’s true essence extends much further.

You’ll find that setting up Mail Backup X is a simple process once you start the process of IMAP backups. This guide will give you all the information and tools you need to make a backup profile that works with precision and simplicity.

1. The First Basic Steps:
   • Launch Mail Backup X on your system.
   • Look to the left of the dashboard and click on “My Backup Profiles” or find the “Setup a new backup now” option under the ‘Tasks’ panel in the dashboard. Click on either of them to go to the next screen.

2. Creating a New Backup Profile:
   • In the backup profile interface, click on “Setup a new backup profile.”
   • Remember, a backup profile is your personal backup plan. It allows you to set specific parameters, such as which emails to save and where to save them, enabling distinct handling for various email sources. For this case, you can customize this profile in a specific way that suits your Thunderbird back up needs. Later, you can add another profile for backing data from a different source and not have to worry about the preferences set in this one.

3. Selecting the Email Server:
   • On the next screen, you will see different options for email clients. Here, you should select “Email Server”. This option is for those who are not using standard email clients listed but instead are connecting to an email service via a server. Since this article is about backing emails from IMAP server, you have to first specify that the source is an email server, not a client.

4. Choosing IMAP for IMAP:
   • Among the server options, click on ‘IMAP Server’. While other options are available for popular email providers, the focus here is on IMAP because it suggests you’re likely dealing with a custom server—common in business or organizational environments. IMAP protocol is essential for managing emails across various devices, as it keeps everything in sync with the server.

5. Logging in to the Email Server:
6. At this stage, you will be prompted to log in to your email server. Enter your email address and password associated with your IMAP server.

• Occasionally, you may need to manually configure additional settings such as server details and port numbers. Here’s a brief explanation of these terms:
  • Server Address: This is the domain name or IP address of your IMAP server. It’s where your email client connects to retrieve your messages.
  • Port Number: This identifies the specific gateway on the server through which your email service communicates. Common port numbers for IMAP are 143 for non-secured connections, and 993 for secured connections.
  • SSL/TLS: These are encryption protocols used for securing your email communication. You’ll typically select ‘SSL’ (Secure Sockets Layer) or ‘TLS’ (Transport Layer Security) if your server supports it to ensure your email data is encrypted during transit.

• Sometimes, these settings are retrieved automatically thanks to the email client’s preconfigured server profiles or Auto discover features, which use your email address to determine the appropriate server settings. However, if you’re using a private or less common email service, or if the Auto discover feature is not supported by your server, you’ll need to enter these details manually. This ensures that the connection to the email server is correctly established for your IMAP backups.

6. Selecting Folders for Backup:
   • You will then be presented with a list of folders from your IMAP client. Choose the IMAP folders that you wish to back up.

6. Note the option to “Automatically backup newly detected sub-folders under selected folders”. This is useful for ensuring that any new folders you create in the future are included without having to update the backup profile.

7. Configuring the Backup Profile:
   • When you reach the stage where you need to name your backup profile, take a moment to think. What identifier will instantly remind you of the contents or purpose of this backup? Crafting a distinctive name is especially helpful if you’ll be managing multiple profiles. Sortingthrough a list of indistinctly named profiles can be daunting.
   • Next is location, the decision to pick a storage that your IMAP backups will call ‘home’. Your choices here are varied: local drives for quick access, network drives if you’re in a collaborative environment, or perhaps cloud storage services for offsite safety. Consider where you would feel most at ease knowing your data is stored.
   • How protected do you want your precious data to be? If you check the ‘Secured’ option, your backups will be stored in a tightly protected digital equivalent of a bank vault, only accessible with a unique key. On the flip side, ‘Unsecured’ might be suitable for less sensitive information, allowing for a bit more flexibility in access and for sharing with others.
   • How often should the tool trigger the backup? If you’re frequently updating your emails, ‘Automatic’ backups will ensure you’re always up-to-date. But maybe you like a bit more control, or your email updates are like clockwork—then ‘Recurring’ backups on a set schedule could be your best choice. Or is it the ‘Manual’ approach that speaks to you? Simply select the one you feel comfortable with. Often with IMAP backup profiles, your best choice is to set it as automatic. Manual works best for static sources.
   • Lastly, the ‘USB Auto-Snapshot’ feature allows you to configure the tool to automatically create a snapshot of your backup on a USB drive when it’s inserted.

8. Saving the Profile and Activating Backup:
9. After configuring all settings, click the ‘Save’ button. Your new IMAP backup tool profile will be saved, and Mail Backup X will start the backup process immediately after (unless you set the schedule differently).

Any active backup process will be displayed under the ‘Activities’ section in the dashboard. If you click on an activity, it will reveal the entire profile’s details, including settings, logs, and additional information, as shown in the last image you provided. This functionality allows you to manage and review your backup operations efficiently.

Setting up IMAP email backups with Mail Backup X is a straightforward process that provides essential security for your data stored on the server. By following these steps, you can ensure that your emails are safely backed up, reflecting a smart strategy for safeguarding your business and personal information.

For those interested in experiencing the features and ease of use of Mail Backup X, a free trial version is available. This trial offers a direct opportunity to explore the functionality freely and without worrying about any subscription cost. It works for 16 and will help you to make an informed decision about your IMAP backup needs.