How to Import Folders from Outlook to Thunderbird?
There are various email clients available for end-users to perform their emailing procedures. One of the best and famous freeware email client is Mozilla Thunderbird, which is programmed by Mozilla Foundation. And also standing right in front of it is a very common mailing program i.e. Microsoft Outlook. This application permits users to create backup files of all email messages as well as other items. All backup data items are saved in .pst file format, which can help in transfer data from one email client to another. Sometimes, it becomes hard for users to access PST files to Thunderbird. As the MBOX file format is supported by Mozilla Thunderbird, thus it fails to recognize the PST format files. Let’s discuss some user questions about how to import folders from Outlook to Thunderbird and see what difficulties users are actually facing.
“Hi, I have a backup of my Outlook profile in the .pst file format. I am trying to access that file but I am unable to open my important emails. Now, I am using a Desktop email application like Mozilla Thunderbird. I have tried the import process but couldn’t get my data items and other data in the Thunderbird email client. I need to convert my PST files into Thunderbird. I am really worried about my email data. Please help me!
The online market is full of questions similar to the one. But all of them lead to a common question – Can I import Outlook PST files into Thunderbird? And if yes, what is the solution to that? That is exactly what we will be converting in the next section.
Manual Technique to Convert Outlook Emails to Thunderbird
To import PST to MBOX file format in the Mozilla email application, a user wants to set Outlook as the default program. And after that, move PST files to Thunderbird by the following steps:
- Click on start button and go to Control Panel >> Default Programs >> Set Default Programs >> Now select Outlook from the left side of the screen >> Set this program as default >> hit on Ok button.
- Then, convert from PST to Thunderbird. Open the Mozilla Thunderbird application and log in to your account. Then hit on the icon on the right side of the Window as a display. Hit on Tools option >> Import.
- Now, you can export items such as mail messages, address books, filters, feed subscriptions, etc. into Thunderbird. Opt whatever you need to import. For example, you have import emails. Hit on the Mail radio option and press the Next button.
- Press the Outlook option and then move to the Next option. And at last hit on Finish to end the process.
- After that, you will set that selected data from Outlook will get imported in Thunderbird. Now, you can access your PST files in Mozilla Thunderbird easily.
Drawbacks of Manual Solution
Now, uses can understand how to import folders from Outlook to Thunderbird through the manual method. But, the manual method has some limitations to export Outlook emails to Mozilla Thunderbird such as, cannot export bulk PST files at once, MS Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird are required for the process, chances of data loss, the complete technical knowledge required to perform this method, lengthy and time-consuming process and many other cons available in manual method.
Direct Export PST Files to Thunderbird with Third-Party Tool
As we have explained the manual technique in the above section but they are not many reliable and direct solutions. Users may get faced difficulty while switching Outlook emails to Thunderbird. It is better to go for an alternative and automatic tool like Outlook Converter and directly move PST files to Thunderbird with all emails, formatting, and attachments without Outlook installation and data loss. During the process, the application keeps all the folder structure without any changes and data loss. It was workable on all the editions of MS Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and etc., and Windows OS 10, 8.1, 8, 7, etc. A Demo version of the tool also provided. With the help of the Free Demo Version, you can convert the first 25 messages from PST to Thunderbird without any cost.
Final Words
In the above section, we have provided two methods to export emails from Outlook to Thunderbird. Users can go for any of the solutions based on his/her requirement. But it is always advised to use a third-party solution. As it is a more reliable and direct solution to know how to import folders from Outlook to Thunderbird without Outlook installation. If you are facing any problems while importing Outlook emails to Thunderbird feel free to contact us.