Vista - Windows Live Mail--Create multiple IMAP folders/move mail in batch

Is there a way to create multiple IMAP folders and move mail messages from a
local store to my IMAP mail server in batches? (I am switching from POP to
IMAP and want older mail, now sitting on my local machine, to be available on
the IMAP server.)

It appears that I have to create the folders one by one and then move the
contents of the local folders also one folder at a time. This means I have to
wait for the contents of one to move before moving another, and this requires
constant attendance. I'd rather set this to go overnight on its own.

Any advice would be welcome.