Andrew Starr's Unofficial Eudora Site

A: Eudora operates with two main folders. The Eudora application, and certain non-data files that go with it, are in the folder where you installed it.

The first time you run Eudora on a given machine, it creates a folder called "Eudora Folder" in the System Folder.

A screen shot of Eudora 4.0/Mac's Eudora Folder.
Previous versions looked differently.

1. Your Eudora Setting files, named "Eudora Settings" and "Eudora Settings.bkup" (the second being a backup file automatically created by Eudora)
2. Your mailboxes (either one file with the mailbox name or two files, one named, for example, "In" and the other "In.toc") In Eudora 4.0, these are found in the "Mail" folder.
3. Your address book (default is named "Eudora Nicknames") files and possibly a back-up.
4. Your Filters file (where filters are stored).
5. Your signature files (in a folder in Eudora Pro versions after about 3.0)
6. Any resource plug-ins you put in there (in the example above, "Hank's Plug-In" is a resource plug-in)
7. A "Stationary" folder is created by Eudora Pro to hold Stationary you might create.

1. A "Spool" folder: Used for background mail-checks/sending
2. A "Parts" folder: As of yet unused
3. A "Cache" folder: As of yet unused.

Q: Can I move the "Eudora Folder"?

A: Yes. You can move it anywhere you wish (and can rename it after you move it). You can then either do:

• Nothing. Make sure you open Eudora by doubleclicking on "Eudora Settings" file or alias thereto. (Eudora will then use this settings file and mailboxes within the same folder as this settings file.) If you accidentally start the Eudora application, it will make a new Eudora Folder in the System Folder.
• Make an Alias of your Eudora Folder, and leave the alias, just called "Eudora Folder" in the System Folder. You can then either doubleclick the Settings file (or alias) or the Eudora application.
• Put a blank text file or word processing file called "Eudora Folder" in the System Folder. I.e. open your word processor, open a new document, and save the blank document. Then, you can still doubleclick on the Eudora Settings file (or alias). Or, if you doubleclick the Eudora application, it will find the Eudora Folder that isn't a folder, and ask you to locate which one you want to use.

A: (for Eudora Pro 3.1): Eudora Pro 3.1 has "Personalities" feature allowing for this. But you can still use the method below to end up with a setup that enables, for example, husband and wife (or whatever groupings of people, or an individual) to have their own Eudora Folder and set of mailboxes, each one of which can make use of Personalities if desired.

A: (for all versions): See also "Can I move the Eudora Folder"? If you want separate mailboxes, then you can make extra Eudora Folders anywhere on your hard drive, named what you want. You can have one of the accounts use the Eudora Folder in the system folder, or use one of the 3 methods listed in the "Can I move the Eudora Folder" question for avoiding having a Eudora Folder in your system folder.

Then, doubleclick on whatever settings file (or alias thereto) you wish. You can doubleclick on one DURING a Eudora session. No need to quit Eudora and launch again.

Note that some users report that the various "Eudora Settings" files throughout your hard drive should have distinct names. ("Mom's Settings" "Dad's Settings" "ISP1 settings" etc.)

Note also, that even with Personalities feature of Eudora Pro 3.1, this can be a handy method for multiple users, or for individuals who finds it suits their needs. I love Personalities and find it really easy to setup and use, and can still have separate accounts use their own default stationery, signature, etc. And you can filter the mail coming to different addresses to different mailboxes. But some prefer having separate mailboxes altogether, and it can be done as above.

Note that either instead of the above, or in addition to the above, you can also have more than one settings file in a folder. In this case, both settings files will share the same mailboxes, address book, and signatures, but allow you to differently configure all the account information and other Settings options.

Additional information can be found in the comp.mail.eudora.mac FAQ

Q: What to do when you get the message "Settings file corrupt"

A: See "What is the normal (if unchanged by user) folder setup for Eudora." Find the files "Eudora Settings" and "Eudora Settings.bkup." You can try deleting "Eudora Settings" and renaming the other file to "Eudora Settings." That should do it. Or just delete both and reenter your Settings from scratch.

Copyright © eMailman, LLC 1998-2009. Emailman ® is a registered mark of eMailman, LLC. The eMailman character, NewsReaders.com character, "NewsReaders.com", "Emailman always delivers", "electronic superhero", "eMailOrder", the backwards "@" sign, "@ backwards", "turning your e-mail around" and "Read. Discuss. View. Think." are trademarks of eMailman, LLC. All other marks belong to their respective owners.