More mbox and Maildir Options

You can access additional mail storage options, including the ability to revert from Maildir to mbox, by typing /usr/local/cpanel/scripts/convert2maildir from the command line. The set of options displayed by the convert2maildir script will vary depending on whether your server is running mbox or Maildir.

On a Maildir system

If you are already running Maildir, the script offers you 5 options.

The options are:

1. Restore system to mbox (non-maildir) state — Converts the mail storage method from Maildir back to mbox. This can be useful if you experience compatibility or performance issues with Maildir.
   • This may take up to 24 hours depending on your server’s hardware and number of accounts.
   • You will not be able to send and receive mail while the server is converting, so this process should take place at an off-peak time. Incoming mail will be queued during the conversion.
   • Warning: Do not cancel the process as it will result in a broken mail system.
2. Request Technical Support — Offers you options for contacting cPanel about your Maildir conversion.
   • Email us at maildir@cpanel.net.
   • Call us at 1-877-288-1492.
3. Convert partially converted mail accounts — This feature will attempt to finish converting (from mbox to Maildir) a partially converted mail system. This should be used in the event that your server crashed or you cancelled the conversion process.
4. Attempt to finish a failed conversion — This feature will attempt to finish a failed conversion attempt (from mbox to Maildir).
5. Exit — You may exit the script by typing an asterisk (*) and pressing Enter.

On an mbox system

If you are running mbox on your server, the script offers you 6 options.

The options are:

1. Backup all mail folders on this server —Creates a backup copy of all mail folders on the server. We highly recommend selecting this option before converting to Maildir.
2. Restore a mail backup — Restores mail folders of which you have previously made backup copies.
3. Start maildir conversion process with Courier mail server — Converts your server to the Maildir storage format, using Courier as the mail server.
   • The Courier mailserver is not the recommended mailserver. It is intended for use on older systems. We recommend you use the Dovecot mailserver.
   • We highly recommend that you back up your mail folders (option 1) before starting this process.
   • The conversion process may take up to 24 hours depending on your server’s hardware and number of accounts.
   • You will not be able to send and receive mail while the server is converting, so this process should take place at an off-peak time. Incoming mail will be queued during the conversion.
   • Warning: Do not cancel the process as it will result in a broken mail system.
4. Start maildir conversion process with Dovecot mail server — Converts your server to the Maildir storage format, using Dovecot as the mail server.
   • We recommend using the Dovecot mail server.
   • We highly recommend that you back up your mail folders (option 1) before starting this process.
   • The conversion process may take up to 24 hours depending on your server’s hardware and number of accounts.
   • You will not be able to send and receive mail while the server is converting, so this process should take place at an off-peak time. Incoming mail will be queued during the conversion.
   • Warning: Do not cancel the process as it will result in a broken mail system.
5. Request Technical Support — Offers you options for contacting cPanel about your Maildir conversion.
   • Email us at maildir@cpanel.net.
   • Call us at 1-877-288-1492.
6. Exit — You may exit the script by typing an asterisk (*) and pressing Enter.