If you are comfortable using an email program such as Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird, you can usually move your existing email to your new Orthodox Web Solutions (OWS) mailbox yourself.
This method works by temporarily connecting your email program to both the old and new email accounts and copying messages between them.
Before You Begin
Please make sure the following are true before starting:
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Your new email mailbox already exists on the OWS server
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You still have access to your old email account
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You have backed up any critical email
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DNS has not yet been changed, or the old server is still reachable
If any of these are not true, stop and contact support.
Step 1: Set Up Both Email Accounts in Your Email Program
In your email application:
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Add your old email account
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Add your new OWS email account
Most email programs support multiple accounts at the same time.
You do not need to remove your old account yet.
Step 2: Let All Folders Appear
Once both accounts are added:
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Wait for all folders to fully load
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Confirm you can see Inbox, Sent, and any custom folders on both accounts
This step may take several minutes for large mailboxes.
Step 3: Copy Email from Old to New
You may now copy email:
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Drag folders from the old account to the new account, or
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Select groups of messages and copy them over
Tips:
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Work in smaller batches for large folders
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Start with important folders first
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Avoid copying Spam or Trash unless needed
Messages are copied, not deleted, unless you explicitly remove them.
Step 4: Verify Email in the New Mailbox
After copying:
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Check that folders and messages appear in the new account
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Spot-check recent and older emails
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Confirm Sent Mail appears correctly
Do not delete anything from the old server until you are sure the copy is complete.
Step 5: Request the DNS Change
Once you are confident your email is present on the new server:
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Contact OWS and request the DNS change
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OWS will handle the transition internally
After the DNS change, new incoming email will arrive at the OWS mailbox.
Important Notes
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This process may take time depending on mailbox size
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Keep your email program open until copying is complete
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Do not rely on webmail alone for large mailboxes
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Always confirm success before deleting old email