I have a large number of backup files.
I need to locate a specific email message but I do not know which backup file contains that email message.
If you are referring to the eM Client dated backup.zip files, you can do “a partial restore” from any saved dated backup,zip file and then use the Search field at the top centre or top right depending on your eM Client version and select All Folders to find the specific email/s you want.
We dont know which backup.zip file contains your messages you want, only that you will need to restore the backup.zip files “one at a time” till you find which backup has your messages in it.
See my post below on how to do a partial restore from a dated backup.zip file, and also see eM Client online documentation further down this post how to search for specific emails.
(How to do a partial restore from a backup)
https://forum.emclient.com/t/emails-missing-from-backup-when-restored/101556/2
1). If you have been making regular eM Client backups and have an eM Client backup zip file in your default “Documents / eM Client” folder or other different backup folder with the messages you need, then first “Close eM Client” and then go to the following eM Client Pc or Mac hidden database folder location and rename the folder to eg: eM Client-Current.
(Hidden database folder Windows)
C:\Users%username%\AppData\Roaming\eM Client
(Hidden database folder Mac)
/Users/User Name/Library/Application Support/eM Client
2). Then “disconnect from the Internet” and then open eM Client and “skip the setup account wizard”. Then restore your eM Client backup.zip file with the missing email messages in it via “Menu / File / Restore”.
3). Next you need to export your messages you need either via using “Menu / File / Export” and select “Export emails to .eml files” and choose a folder to save them in. Or alt by “Creating a folder on your desktop” called eg: eM Client-Old , and then dragging / moving any messages and/or any custom message folders you do want to the eM Client-Old desktop folder.
4). Then once you have all the email messages out of eM Client, then close eM Client and “delete the new eM Client hidden database folder”. Then rename your original eM Client-Current database folder back to eM Client. Then reopen eM Client.
5). Next import your missing messages that you either exported / saved via “Menu / File / Import” and choose Email (.eml) and select your folder, or by dragging the messages & message folders back from the eM Client-Old desktop folder into eM Client. Then lastly reconnect to the Internet.
“Search online documentation”
https://www.emclient.com/webdocumentation/en/10.0/emclient/default.htm#Getting%20Started/Search.htm