How to Convert mbox Accounts to Maildir

For cPanel & WHM version 11.48 and earlier

Warnings:

This document is only valid for cPanel & WHM version 11.48 and earlier. We removed this script in cPanel & WHM version 11.50.
- For cPanel & WHM version 58 and later, use the Mailbox format conversion scripts.
- For cPanel & WHM versions 11.50 through 56, use /usr/local/cpanel/scripts/setupmailserver script.
cPanel Technical Support does not provide assistance with the instructions in this article.

Overview

You can use the /scripts/convert2maildir script to perform conversions on mail storage data. Maildir is the only supported mail storage system for cPanel & WHM servers. Because of this, users who migrate data onto cPanel & WHM servers will convert any mbox data to the Maildir format.

Warnings:

After you begin a conversion, do not cancel the process. If you cancel the conversion, your server's mail system will break.
We strongly recommend that you back up your mail folders before you start this process.

Notes:

The conversion process may take up to 24 hours. This depends on your server’s hardware and the number of accounts to convert.
You cannot send or receive mail while the server is in the conversion process. We recommend that you run this process at an off-peak time.

The Mail Directory Conversion System

To access the Mail Directory Conversion System, run the following command at the command line:

/scripts/convert2maildir

The conversion options that are available to you vary based on whether your server currently uses a Maildir or mbox configuration.

mbox options

If you currently run mbox on your server, you will see the following options:

        ____                  _
    ___|  _ \ __ _ _ __   ___| |
   / __| |_) / _` | '_ \ / _ \ |
  | (__|  __/ (_| | | | |  __/ |
   \___|_|   \__,_|_| |_|\___|_|
   Mail Directory (maildir) Conversion System 

NOTE: For users using POP accounts, converted messages will appear as new and will download twice. Users should re-download their messages after the conversion completes.

mbox is enabled
 
1) Start maildir conversion process with Courier mail server
2) Start maildir conversion process with Dovecot mail server
*) Exit 
Enter Selection---]

Enter 1 and press Enter to convert your server from mbox to the Maildir storage format with Courier as the mail server.
Enter 2 and press Enter to convert your server from mbox to the Maildir storage format with Dovecot® as the mail server.
To exit the script, enter an asterisk (*) and press Enter.

Maildir options

If you currently run Maildir on your server, you will see the following options:

        ____                  _
    ___|  _ \ __ _ _ __   ___| |
   / __| |_) / _` | '_ \ / _ \ |
  | (__|  __/ (_| | | | |  __/ |
   \___|_|   \__,_|_| |_|\___|_|
   Mail Directory (maildir) Conversion System 

NOTE: For users using POP accounts, converted messages will appear as new and will download twice. Users should re-download their messages after the conversion completes.

maildir is enabled

1) Convert partially converted mail accounts
2) Attempt to finish a failed conversion
*) Exit 
Enter Selection---]

Enter 1 and press Enter to attempt to complete the mbox to Maildir conversion process on a partially-converted mail system. You should use this option if your server crashed during the conversion process or if you halted the conversion process.
Enter 2 and press Enter to attempt to finish a failed mbox to Maildir conversion attempt.
To exit the script, enter an asterisk (*) and press Enter.

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