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Import Outlook Mail to Thunderbird – Complete Step by Step Guide

  author
Published By Mohit Jha
Nimisha Ramesh
Approved By Nimisha Ramesh
Published On April 5th, 2023
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

Summary: This blog will teach you how to import Outlook Mail to Thunderbird profile. If you are still facing any issue while moving emails from Outlook to Thunderbird, then you must read this post. Here you will get the complete solution to your request step by step.

Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird both are the popular email service provider. Users are often seen switching between these platforms depending on their needs. This data transfer usually takes place when users stop using MS Outlook email client and start using Mozilla Thunderbird. To start with, we will see the causes of this data migration.

Then we will move on to discuss different ways that the readers can implement for Microsoft Outlook to Mozilla Thunderbird Migration. Therefore, in this post, we will disclose the cost-effective solution to import Outlook mail to Thunderbird.

Why Users Want to Import Emails from Outlook to Thunderbird?

Here are some of the basic reasons behind people’s need to move Outlook emails to Thunderbird in a precise way.

  • Financial Benefit: No matter how many attractive features it has, Outlook is, after all, a paid email client. Many users do not want to pay for the email services and they may wish to switch to a free client like Thunderbird.
  • Sharing and Synchronizing: If users want to share their Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013 data with someone who uses Thunderbird, then it is wise to convert the data migration process. Moreover, it also requires data synchronization.

How to Import Outlook Mail to Thunderbird? – Two Methods

Users can take the help of either of the solutions given below to resolve to transferring Outlook emails.

  1. Traditional Method
  2. Direct Method

Quick Read :How to Import Mailbox File with Thunderbird?

Manual Method to Migrate Outlook Mail to Thunderbird

  • Set MS Outlook as the default email client in your system.
  • Start Thunderbird and go to Tools > Import.
  • Select ‘Import from Outlook’.
  • Choose ‘Mail messages’ and click on Continue.
  • Click ‘Start Import’ to complete the process.

This method can be used when users have to transfer data between Outlook and Thunderbird located on the same system. The detailed steps to carry out the manual method are as follows:

  • To begin with, click on Start button from the Windows OS>> Default Programs and then hit on Set your default program.
  • Select Outlook from the appeared list and click to Set this program as default option. After which, Outlook will become the default email client of the system.
  • Now, launch Mozilla Thunderbird on the same machine and navigate to Tools>> Import to move emails from Outlook to Thunderbird.
  • In the next window, select the radio button corresponding to Mail option and hit the Next button to proceed further.
  • Then, choose Outlook from the next wizard and click Next followed by clicking the Finish button.
  • If the user wish to export any other components of MS Outlook application, repeat the same process. For instance, choose the Address Book option in place of Mail to import PST to Thunderbird profile.
  • At this point, you have to open the Default Programs window again. Now, make Thunderbird as your default email of this system.

Is There A Better Option Available to Import Emails from Outlook to Thunderbird?

As you can see, this aforesaid technique is only feasible in case if both the emails accounts are located in the same system. If Outlook and Thunderbird email programs are situated on two different systems, then this method will not work.

Moreover, this is a time taking process wherein users need to dedicate a sufficient amount of time. Thus, users are looking for some smart PST to MBOX Converter tool for Windows & Mac system.

For Windows

Download Now Purchase Now

This software provides support to transfer Outlook PST data file to the Thunderbird supported MBOX format. After conversion, you can import the resultant file into Thunderbird in a few simple clicks.

Steps to Import Outlook to Thunderbird on Windows

  • Step 1: Launch the software and add Outlook PST file.
  • Step 2: Preview all the added emails in different modes.
  • Step 3: Select MBOX as the export format.
  • Step 4: Click on Export button to begin the conversion.

Screenshots are below:

1. Start the converter software and browse the PST file you want to move to Thunderbird by clicking on the “Add File” button.

add outlook pst

2. After adding the PST file, the software will preview all the emails in different modes.

preview all emails

3. After that, click on the Export button present at the top in the preview window. Then, choose the MBOX format from the list of export options.

select mbox file format

4. Choose the several advance settings such as date-range filters, folder hierarchy, etc. as per your needs.

advanced option

5. Finally, click on the Export button to start converting the file into MBOX format.

import outlook mail to thunderbird

6. The conversion will start. The progress of the conversion process can be tracked, thanks to the live report of the tool. When the export process is done, users will be notified for the same.

7. Open the chosen path to locate the resultant file. Users can now open MBOX File with Thunderbird by Import Export Tool.

Steps to Import Emails from Outlook to Thunderbird on Mac

For Mac

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Step 1. Install the tool on Mac and browse for the PST file you want to convert.

add file

Step 2. Pick MBOX file format and check Maintain Folder Hierarchy option.

choose mbox file format

Step 3. Click on Advance Settings and set naming option and categories.

set file naming option

Step 4. Tab change and choose the folder to save resultant file.

select destination

Step 5. Hit the Export button and the process will start immediately.

import outlook mail to thunderbird via mbox

It’s done!

Why Choose Automated Method over the Tradional One?

This tool comprises of some unique features that make it the ultimate choice for the users:

  • All PST File Compatibility: Whether the PST file is ANSI or Unicode, the software has the ability to process it.
  • Suitable for All MBOX Supported Emails: Besides Thunderbird, the resultant MBOX file can be imported in any supported email clients like Eudora Mail, Pocomail, Apple Mail, etc.
  • No File Size Limitation: PST file of any given size can be saved in desire format with the help of this software.

Quick Read : Fix Cannot Print Email from Thunderbird Issue?

Concluding Words

If you are looking for the way to import Outlook Mail to Thunderbird, then this post states the perfect solution for the same. Here, we have discussed two different approaches i.e., the manual and professional technique. Considering all the benefits of Outlook to MBOX Converter, the modern technique of using the software can be labeled as the most suitable one. This tool is a sure-shot approach to import emails from Outlook to Thunderbird in all respects.