I'd like to export the mail folder to a MacAir that has a 128G SSD

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Level 1

8 points

I'd like to export the mail folder to a MacAir that has a 128G SSD

OS: 10.14.6 on 2018 mini

My mail folder (user/library/mail) is 23G. I had mail dating back to 2008 which I went thru and weeded out what's unneeded - purged over 10K messages. They were subsequently all in Trash and deleted from there.

This has had NO impact on the size of my mail folder.

I'd like to export the mail folder to a MacAir that has a 128G SSD but would like to get the folder down to a reasonable size.

Any suggestions?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Aug 11, 2019 1:17 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

245,489 points

Aug 15, 2019 11:17 AM in response to natashadak

I see from the V6 that you're on Mojave, I'm on HS so have V5, but no data_rebuild folders... what is in yours?

I'd Quit Mail then move one out to Desktop, start Mail & see how it acts & if it recreates it the same size.

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Answer 2

natashadak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 15, 2019 9:08 AM in response to BDAqua

Disk drill is helpful - breaks files down by size. I see a "data_rebuild" file in every mailbox that's actually larger than the "data" file. Could this be the source of my problems? If so, is it OK to delete those files?

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Answer 3

natashadak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 16, 2019 12:37 PM in response to BDAqua

I’ve got the mail file trimmed down to 4.93G after deleting all the Data_Rebuilt files and things are working OK.

I know the Data_Rebuild files are used when rebuilding mailboxes - I saw that file increment after a rebuild. I suspect it’s also used during import.

It would make sense for the files to delete after they run; don’t know why they didn’t.

Disk Drill was a big help; thanks to BDAqua.

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Answer 4

natashadak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 11, 2019 9:40 PM in response to MrHoffman

The Air is already up and running; there are a lot of things on the mini that I don't want on the Air. I don't believe I can migrate only mail (please let me know if I'm mistaken).

And - I'm still wondering why, after deleting >10K email messages, the size of the mail folder is unchanged ...

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Answer 5

natashadak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 12, 2019 10:38 AM in response to BDAqua

I'm hoping to get the file paired down to a reasonable size before importing. The Air only has a 128G SSD - I don't want to use up more room than is necessary.

And I'm still stumped over why deleting >10K messages doesn't reflect in the mail file size.

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,429 points

Aug 12, 2019 3:45 PM in response to natashadak

That app may have something to do with your problem; it is known to cause havoc on Macs as it may "clean" so well that it also deletes needed system components. I would not let that stuff within 10 miles of any of my Macs. Please consider uninstalling it.

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Answer 7

natashadak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 12, 2019 6:05 PM in response to babowa

The 23G mail file size predated my use of CleanMyMac. I tried it after deleting 10K+ messages and seeing no reduction in the mail file size. I have SetApp, so CleanMyMac was "free".

But thanks for the headsup.

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