Gmail Tip - Back Up Your Gmail

A lot of us use Gmail (I know Sammy does), and one of the things that has always concerned me about it is how to back up mail that is on the Google server. More and more of my life is contained in Gmail, and if Google ever discontinued the service I'd be in big trouble.

I came across this tip this morning and I thought I'd pass it on. According to Google you can back up your Gmail to a local mailbox on your machine. Here's how:

1. Log in to your Gmail account.
2. Click Settings at the top of any Gmail page.
3. Open the Forwarding and POP tab.
4. Select Enable POP for all mail (even mail that's already been downloaded).
5. Click Save Changes.
6. Open the mail client you've configured for Gmail, and check for new messages.

Gmail messages are downloaded in batches, so it may take time for everything to appear in your mail client.

* Messages in Spam and Trash aren't downloaded unless you them to your inbox or All Mail.

This comes from the Gmail Help Center and the original text can be found here.