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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 June 6th, 2024
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

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

Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird are both popular email service providers. Users are often seen switching between these platforms depending on their needs. This data transfer usually takes place when users stop using the 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 Microsoft Outlook to Mozilla Thunderbird Migration. Therefore, in this post, we will disclose the cost-effective solution to transfer Outlook emails to Thunderbird.

Why do 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 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013 data with someone who uses Thunderbird, then it is wise to convert the data migration process. Moreover, it also requires data synchronization.
  • Privacy and Security: – Privacy-conscious users often Thunderbird for its pledge to security, continuous updates, and community-determined support system, assuring safety and private communication.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: – Mozilla Thunderbird allows several OS, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a perfect choice for users working across different platforms,
  • Simplest Management of Several Accounts:- Thunderbird excels at managing several email accounts seamlessly, providing features such as a unified inbox and efficient account management.
  • Advanced Features:- Thunderbird is packed with advanced features like smart folders, message filtering, and tabbed email browsing, enhancing productivity and email management efficiency.

How to Import Outlook Mail to Thunderbird? – Two Methods

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

Quick Read: How to Import Mailbox File with Thunderbird?

Manual Method to Move 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 wishes to export any other components of the MS Outlook application, repeat the same process. For instance, choose the Address Book option in place of Mail to import PST to the Thunderbird profile.
  • At this point, you have to open the Default Programs window again. Now, make Thunderbird your default email in this system.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

  • As you can see, this aforesaid technique is only feasible in case if both the email 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.
  • This is a time-consuming process wherein users need to dedicate a sufficient amount of time.

Expert Solution to Transfer Outlook Emails to Thunderbird?

Try FreeViewer PST to MBOX Converter tool which is supported on Windows & Mac OS systems. This software provides support to transfer Outlook PST data files to the Thunderbird-supported MBOX format. After conversion, you can import the resultant file into Thunderbird in a few simple clicks.

Moreover,  the best part of this software is it easily batch converts PST files to MBOX file format. It generates a single MBOX file for every Microsoft Outlook PST. This application provides an advanced option to restore permanently deleted items and save them into MBOX.

This application provides a free demo version. Users can check the efficiency of the software and also export the first 25 emails.

Quick Steps to Import Outlook to Thunderbird on Windows

  • Step 1: Launch the software and add the 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 the Export button to begin the conversion.

Why Choose the Automated Method Over the Manual One?

This tool comprises some unique features that make it the ultimate choice for 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 into any supported email client like Eudora Mail, Pocomail, Apple Mail, etc.
  • No File Size Limitation: PST files of any given size can be saved in the desired format with the help of this software.

Quick Read: Fix Cannot Print Email from Thunderbird Issue?

Concluding Words

If you are looking for a 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 labelled as the most suitable one. This tool is a sure-shot approach to transfer outlook emails to thunderbird in all respects.

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