Manage IMAP mailbox storage quota

When using IMAP, your computer, or mobile device is viewing your email remotely, on the server.

Each change which one device makes to your mailbox (create draft, read or send messages etc) will be seen by all other devices. This makes IMAP the correct choice when using multiple devices to access email.

The challenge presented however, is that you have to carefully manage your allocated storage quota on the server, because it is limited.

You should be proactive with maintaining your mailbox quota, as when it's full, you will no longer receive messages, until further space is made available to receive new messages.

If an IMAP mailbox has almost reached capacity, follow these steps:

• Delete unnecessary messages, but be sure to do so in small batches.
• Empty the Trash/Deleted folders periodically, between deleting batches. As your mailbox approaches its capacity, there is less space to delete messages, which are moved to the Trash folder, also on the server. So, empty the Trash folder periodically, between deleting batches.
• Run compact/expunge/purge on each folder between deleting batches. Each email program calls this process something different. Usually right-clicking on a folder will offer the appropriate action. When using IMAP, and deleting messages, unless you compact your folders regularly, deleted messages are hidden from the original folder and copied to the Trash folder. This compacting process clears the hidden duplicates. Many email programs can be configured to compact your mailbox every time you log out.
• All folders contribute to your storage, unless those folders are local/personal folders, stored only on your computer.
• Check your Sent folder - it often contains just as much, if not more mail than your Inbox.
• Consider using large file sending services like Hightail and Wetransfer, rather than including attachments directly inside each message.