Removing mail preference files

My mail appears to be corrupted. Accounts won't go online. If I rebuild or remove an account and then recreate it there is a chance it will be fine and some aren't (I have over 12 mail accounts running in Mac Mail. It occurs to me I need to delete the preferences file and recreate the accounts. For the most part my important mail is stored in folders in mail on my computer. Any suggestions?
- JC

Please follow these directions to delete the Mail "sandbox" folder.
Back up all data.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mail
Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select
Services ▹ Reveal
from the contextual menu.* A Finder window should open with a folder named "com.apple.mail" selected. If it does, move the selected folder — not just its contents — to the Desktop. Leave the Finder window open for now.
Log out and log back in. Launch Mail and test. If the problem is resolved, you may have to recreate some of your Mail settings. You can then delete the folder you moved and close the Finder window. If you still have the problem, quit Mail again and put the folder back where it was, overwriting the one that may have been created in its place. Post your results.
Caution: If you change any of the contents of the sandbox, but leave the folder itself in place, Mail may crash or not launch at all. Deleting the whole sandbox will cause it to be rebuilt automatically.
*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C). In the Finder, select
Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar, paste into the box that opens (command-V). You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

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Corrupted Mail preferences file

Dear all,
My com.apple.mail.plist file got corrupted somehow. My Home/Library/Mail folder looks fine though. What do I have to do to restore everything back to normal? Bear that I don't have a preference file backup. I would <never> think a simple, tiny file could ruin all my e-mail capabilities... For one moment it reminded me of my Windows days...
Anyway, I'd appreciate your help in this matter.
Cheers,
Leonardo

The Mail.app preference file stores all account information and general Mail.app preferences.
With the Mail.app quit and using the Finder, go to Home > Library > Mail. Copy the Mail folder and place the copy on the Desktop for backup purposes.
Using the Finder, go to Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.mail.plist. Delete the com.apple.mail.plist file and empty the Trash.
Note: Moving or deleting the com.apple.mail.plist from the Preferences folder will require re-entering all email account information when re-launching Mail.
The only exception to this is if you have a .Mac account which will be recreated automatically.
Launch Mail and decline any prompt to import mailboxes. After re-entering all email account information the same as before, the Mail.app should rediscover the existing account named folders and mailboxes at Home > Library > Mail.
After confirming all mailboxes were successfully rediscovered, you can delete the copy of the Mail folder from the Desktop.

Removing iTunes preference files

When I open my iTunes, it crashes. Windows gives me an "iTunes has stopped working" error. I've found that removing the iTunesPrefs files from AppData>Roaming>Apple Computer>iTunes works, but only when I open iTunes for the FIRST time. When I close and open a next time it crashes. This is a new laptop, and iTunes was working fine before, so I suspect that it was something I may have installed. Can anyone help? Can the effects be reversed?

Hi guys,
I cannot exactly tell you what fixes the problem but it seems that when you just install iTunes 10.7 again it does not overwrite all files which have been altered by the iTunes 11 installation. But following this short tutorial fixed the -42048 error for me:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=16400819&postcount=6
All kudos go to the original post author bogoss. Hope it helps.
Cheers

I deleted preference file and now cant find any mail in user/library/mail/ folder!

I actually overwrote the preference file with an older one, because mail was having major issues sending and receiving and other password related wierdness...it actually made my host block my ip when I tried to reset the mail settings and test...meaning I wasnt able to see my website anymore...my administrater for the hosting reset it now...but its kinda freaking me out!
anyways the major issue now is the fact that after I overwrote the mail preference file and reopened mail everything was different...somewhat what I expected since I changed the preferences...but I was confident that I could easily go to the mail folder in library and retrieve all inbox, sent, draft, and trashed folders of messages...nothing was there!!!
Has anyone experenced this?
I didnt look in the mail folder before changing the preferences, so I dont know if they were their at all...ever?
but the interface was showing all files, sent and recieved deleted etc...is it possible that it was only setup somehow on a server, like using imap or a cloud?
I recently got this computer (sry I should have mentioned: Macbook, snow leopard 10.6.8, using mail 4.6 i think)
SO maybe the dude I bought it from somehow had it set to use a server based repository for mail?? is there a way to know...
I fiddled with computers a fair bit and feel pretty confident with OS related issues, but this is way out of my league!
anyone?
all ideas appreciated!
Thanks
Ja-Flow

That does not delete anything on your Mac - it simplt makes a backup on teh external drive -- http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427
If you launch TM you get a finder looking window with times vertically on the right - in that window do you see yur iPhoto library (by default it is in your pictures folder)
LN

Corrupt preference files

I recently had a problem with Mail that BDAqua helped me with here over the weekend.
It was as though my Mail preference file was trashed. Well, I just now opened up Adobe Illustrator and the application informed me that the preference file was corrupt for that too, and was being trashed.
It looks like something is going on with my .plist files. My questions are, what could be doing it (is there a known worm that affects .plist?) and what can I do to prevent it from happening again? Is there a Tiger-compatible software that will scan and repair them?
Is this something I should be worried about getting worse?
Thanks!

HI Scott,
Did you trash the Adobe Illustrator .plist file?
No, it's not a worm. Preference files are susceptible to corruption since they are written-to frequently.
See if you can locate a file similar to this. com.adobeillustrator.plist
/Users/YourName/Library/Preferences. Drag that file from the Preferences folder to the Trash, empty the Trash and restart your Mac.
Just because one preference file is corrupted doesn't mean they all are. It's much easier and quicker to trash one then run a 3rd party software that could end up causing you more problems in the long run.
Carolyn

Backup issues. Trying to delete iTunes preference files, but Apple Computer folder is missing (should be in the roaming folder)

Want to backup before a restore, but I have no backup option available in iTunes. I'm pretty sure I found the answer as this has solved the problem for others in other forums:
Remove iTunes Preference files
Some of the files that iTunes uses to store settings and preferences may be unusable and cause issues. iTunes has two folders where preferences are saved. Move one of them to the desktop and test to see if the issue persists. If it does, move it back and remove the second folder. The location for the two preference folders are:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes
BUT after getting into both my roaming and local folder I find I do not even have an 'apple computer' folder. I have iTunes installed on my computer and have used it so I am confused. I use Windows 7.
I would appreciate anyone's help. Thanks!

Nevermind. I found the files. It didn't work anyway as the files kept repopulating themselves after I deleted them and reopened iTunes.

How do I remove duplicate attachment files in Mail

While looking in the Mail folder I have found numerous duplicate pdf files. Are these the attachments to a Email and can the dups be erased? Thanks, HJZ

You can manage what attachments are kept through Mail preferences. In Mail, click the Mail menu in the menu bar and choose Preferences. In the General tab, choose the option of your choice for the "Remove unedited downloads" option. (I personally use the "When message is deleted" option, although I believe the default is "Never"). Note that you might see duplicates because an identical attachment was included on multiple emails.

Unable to open Mail Preferences, can't remove/add accounts.

Sorry I posted this under Tiger discussions as well, but it wasn't my intention. I am running Leopard now:
- I upgraded to Leopard today. My mail application that I have been using all along has been Entourage, but decided to switch to Mail.
- Setup walked me through and I configured another account (besides the .mac account created automatically).
- I wanted to change settings of the newly configured account, but when I go to Mail->Preferences... NOTHING HAPPENS!
- Tried reinstalling Mail from CD. Tried rebooting MAC. Tried removing and reinstalling again... nothing!
So I can't open Mail Preferences to modify existing accounts. What can I do?

Ernie,
Thanks again.
This is strange indeed! I can not do what you suggested. We must not be on the same page.
When I select the Mail pull down menu right under "About Mail" is the "Preferences" item. There are a series of periods behind it which usually indicates more options when the item is selected or highlighted. In this case nothing happens until it is selected at which you are taken to a "general" screen full of items with scroll through lists to select from. Accounts is not an item. Holding down the option key doesn't change the results at any point I tried.
My Mail version is 3.0 (912.1/912).
I may have to give up on Mail and go back to Entourage or thunderbird.
Dan

How to have multiple preference files for Mail on one computer

I would like to have multiple preference files for Mail on one computer, one copy for each person in the organization. I want everybody to log in as the same user. Is this possible?
Thanks,
John Link
Cube, 450 MHz, 640 MB Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Since the Mail.app preference file (along with all other application preference files for a user account) is stored in that user's Home folder/directory, I don't believe this is possible.

I am trying to set up e-mail on a second user account but mail preferences is grayed out. I have looked at some posts which indicate it could be corrupt file and say to deletee .plist but I cannot find that at all. Any suggestions?

I am trying to set up a Mail account for a second user. I have made the user account but when I try to set up Mail, it fails as if the password or e-mail is incorrect but I know it is correct. When I try to go to Mail preferences, it is grayed out. Any suggestions?

1. If you haven't tried this already, just delete the user account entirely, and then try setting it up again.
2. To find the permissions file:
     a. hold down the option key
     b. go to the Go menu in the finder
     c. scroll down to Library and open it
     d. in Library, go to Containers/com.apple.mail/Data/Library/Preferences
     e. drag it to the trash and restart.
3. if that doesn't work, go to Applications/Utilities/Keychain Access. In the Keychain Access menu, do Keychain First Aid, and repair.
This should keep you busy for a while.

Unable to initialize Photoshop because the preferences file has been removed

Hello
After a week without using photoshop, I can no longer open it. As soon as I try this message appears: "Unable to initialize Photoshop because the preferences file has been removed."
So, I went to look for this preferences file that I've never deleted and I can't find it.
I tried to reset photoshop with keyboard shortcuts preferences, it does not work. I also uninstalled and reinstalled the software, it does not work either.
What else could I do ...?
Thank you for your help.

lola.marceau wrote:
I tried to reset photoshop with keyboard shortcuts preferences,
Seems odd that such a problem would crop up on its own. That kind of sounds like a registry or permissions problem. What other things did you do with the computer between the time it worked and it didn't?
And if you're willing to uninstall / reinstall to try to recover operation, it might be prudent to try the Adobe cleaner tool to really be sure you've uninstalled everything...
http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs5-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html
-Noel

TS1846 I have some troubles recently with Final Cut Pro 7 and would like to remove my preferences. I can't find any "com.apple.finalcutpro.plist" file from the Preferences folder but I do have some preferences. So, where could be the file ?

I have some troubles recently with Final Cut Pro 7 and would like to remove my preferences. I can't find any "com.apple.finalcutpro.plist" file from the Preferences folder but I do have some preferences. So, where could be the file ?

Digital Rebellion has you covered: http://www.digitalrebellion.com/prefman/

Mail Preferences and lost Messages

Had an issue after a software update: finder constantly relaunches. Tried, PRAM zap, reinstall sys, removing com.apple.finder.plist preference. Nothing worked.
Then I relocated my entire preference file. Now the problem is gone, it was some preference, I do not know which one.
Now I have to set up some programs again, or swap in the prefs from the old folder. The problem is that I have no mail boxes on my mac in mail. All of my messages from the years, catagorized into folders, are gone.
Looks like the first time I every opened mail. I have original prefs folder and all its contents, however if I swap the old prefs back into the lib, most prefs return on restart, however there is still nothing in mail and the finder relaunching error resumes.
Where did my mail go? Did new preferences for mail overwrite my entire mail archive? How can I find them? Where did they go?
Unfortunately I have been meaning to back them up ever since I lost the last backup. Too many good numbers in my emails, user names, passwords, activation codes, directions to Eden. I want them back!
Ideas?

No real help from me I'm afraid but just had a call from my brother who was just lost all his mail setting and messages, mail is appears as if it was started for the first time. His Mail folders in the Library have his pop and mac account folders but no contents.
Have you checked if the messages are in your library? (Home > Library > Mail)

HT1277 How to delete/remove mail accounts. After I restart mail they all come back.

I would like to remove mail accounts on my Mac. I press"-" and account is gone, however as soon as I start mail again it shows back. Is there a way to remove it so it wouldn't come back?
Thank you.

From the Finder menu bar, select Go ▹ Go to Folder... and enter
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist
in the text box that opens. A Finder window will open with a file selected. Press the key combination command-I to open the Info window. In the Sharing & Permissions section of that window, do you have read & write access? Is the file locked? What is its modification date?

Mail preferences cause lockup

I have a new Mac Pro (2 x 2.4 GHz Quad Xeon) with 24GB RAM and a 512 SSD, and have been having problems ever since getting it.
Current Problem:
If I try to view Preferences in Mail.app, I get the beachball of death. Force quit is the only solution at that point. The mail functions work fine, but I cannot change any settings, add or update any accounts, modify rules or any of it.
I've done the permissions repair, disk repair, PRAM reset, and LIbrary stuff of removing preferences and mail folders. This has not solved the inability to access mail preferences, though.
Background:
This is the second SSD after having hte first one replaced. Why? Because of cascading app crashes, and Lion would not reinstall. The Genius Bar restored my account on the new disk using a Time Machine backup from another disk on the machine. All seemed good for a while.
A second visit to the Genius Bar was to try to fix more crashes. Now there were secret permissions problems (that seem to override the normal chmod permissions on files and folders) preventing apps from starting up properly. It stumped him, and he was looking up arcane system-level commands to try to clean these issues up. The Genius spend 2 hours creating new users, migrating apps over, etc. I left with things seemingly fixed.
Also I have the same problem with Safari preferences when trying to set default browser. That gives me the beachball of death, too and the only solutio is to force-quit Safari.
Perhaps related: iCal randomly crashes. No spinner, just suddenly it's gone and a crash report is in its place.
Question:
Is there any way I can totally reset Mail.app to at least test if there's a permissions problem causing this? Or must I resort to wiping the SSD and reinstalling Lion from a DVD?

First, restore your Mail data. That's apparently not where the problem lies.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
Boot in safe mode and log in as yourself. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
During startup, you will see "Safe Boot" on the login screen, which appears even if you normally log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Safe mode is slower than normal, and some things won’t work at all, possibly including wireless networking.
Launch Mail, and test again. Same problem now?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)

Removing mail preference files

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