How to Export Thunderbird Emails to EML Files Quickly?
Mozilla Thunderbird is a popular, free, and open-source email client developed by Mozilla, compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. It uses the .mbox file format to organize and store entire mailbox data, which can include emails, attachments, and more.
On the other hand, an EML file is designed to store individual email messages. This format is widely supported by various email clients, including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, and others, making it an adaptable option for saving or transferring single emails.
Therefore, many users want to transfer Thunderbird emails to EML files. Thus, in this guide, we will discuss how to export Thunderbird emails to EML files with complete data. But before that let’s understand this case from the point view of a real-time user.
User Query
Hi, I’m James. I stuck with Thunderbird. I need to export all of my emails from Thunderbird into .eml files, but I’m not exactly sure how to do it. The main problem is that I want to make sure the emails keep all the attachments and other details like timestamps and formatting intact. I’ve tried looking around online, but some of the guides I found were a bit confusing. So, can anyone help me with an easy and simple method to complete this migration procedure? Thanks in advance!
Why Do Users Want to Export Thunderbird Emails to EML Files?
There are numerous causes available that define why users want to complete this migration process. Below we have mentioned some common reasons that motivate users to migrate emails from Thunderbird to EML files.
- EML files are commonly used for data migration between different email clients, making it a convenient format for transferring emails between platforms.
- EML files can be easily backed up and stored, providing a secure way to preserve email data in case of data loss or corruption.
- EML files are formatted text files, making them accessible not just by email clients but also by text editors, allowing users to view and manage emails even without a dedicated email client.
- Users may want to migrate their Thunderbird emails to EML format to transfer them to other email clients or platforms, such as Apple Mail or Outlook.
- Users may prefer to export their Thunderbird emails to EML format to ensure data security and integrity, as EML files can be easily encrypted and stored securely.
How to Migrate Emails from Thunderbird to EML Files?
- Launch the Thunderbird email client.
- Now, navigate to the folder containing the emails you wish to export.
- Next, to select all emails in that folder, use the shortcut (Ctrl + A).
- Then, once all emails are highlighted, right-click on any selected email and click on the “Save as” option from the menu.
- Now, select the “Save selected messages” option from the list and then press “EML Format”.
- After that, choose a location on your computer where you’d like to save the emails and click the “Save” button.
- After the process is complete, go to the location you specified to find your exported EML files from Thunderbird.
Drawbacks of the Manual Method
May this method seem easy and simple but allow us to tell you that this approach has various drawbacks, such as:
- If your Thunderbird application becomes corrupted and won’t start, the manual process won’t be effective.
- This method only lets you export emails from one folder at a time in EML format. So, if you have multiple folders, you’ll need to go through the process individually for each one, which can take a lot of time. Due to this, it’s more suitable for casual or home users, while professionals tend to avoid it.
- Additionally, the manual approach saves EML files in the default structure, if you care about your folder and email hierarchy and structure then this method is not good for you.
You Can Also Check Out: How to Migrate Thunderbird to Outlook 365?
How to Export Emails from Thunderbird to EML File Using Professional Solution?
As we have seen the manual solution has multiple drawbacks, which is not good for you. Therefore, to overcome these drawbacks you can go with the automated solution, which is Turgs Thunderbird Converter Software. This is a completely trustworthy, reliable, and robust converter software.
With the help of this utility, you can easily export all your Thunderbird email files to EML file format in bulk in just a few clicks without facing any issues. Also, the software is capable of preserving all data integrity and email formatting during the migration process. Additionally, the utility allows you to transfer your Thunderbird data selectively to EML file formats.
How to Export Thunderbird Emails to EML Files Quickly?
- Download, install, and run the automated software on your local machine.
- Upload your Thunderbird files or folders by using dual options.
- Now, choose the required mailboxes that you want to export.
- Then, select the saving option as “EML” from the drop-down list.
- Next, specify the destination path, where you want to save the resultant files.
- After applying all the settings, press the “Convert” button to start the exporting procedure.
FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between Thunderbird and EML file formats?
Answer: Thunderbird uses the .mbox format to store entire mailbox data collectively, while EML files store individual email messages separately. EML is more widely supported across different email clients and platforms.
Q2: Can I export multiple Thunderbird emails to EML at once?
Answer: Yes, you can select multiple emails using Ctrl+A in a folder and export them together. However, the manual method only allows exporting one folder at a time. For bulk exports across multiple folders, the above-mentioned professional tool is recommended.
Q3: Will I lose attachments when converting Thunderbird emails to EML?
Answer: Yes, by using the manual solution you can’t migrate your Thunderbird emails with attachments. However, with the help of the automated solution, you can easily transfer your Thunderbird emails with attachments into the EML file format.
Q4: Is there a way to maintain folder structure when exporting to EML?
Answer: The manual method doesn’t preserve folder hierarchy. To maintain folder structure, you’ll need to use the above-mentioned professional conversion tool that specifically offers this feature.
Q5: What happens if Thunderbird is corrupted during the export process?
Answer: If Thunderbird becomes corrupted, the manual export method won’t work. In such cases, you’ll need to use the professional conversion tool that can directly access and convert the email data.
Q6: Can I preview emails before converting them to EML format?
Answer: Yes, the automated conversion software provides the preview feature, where you can preview the email messages with all embedded data before making the migration.
Q7: How long does it take to export Thunderbird emails to EML?
Answer: The time depends on the number of emails and their size. Manual export can be time-consuming for multiple folders as each must be processed separately. However, the above-mentioned automated software offers faster bulk conversion.
Conclusion
In this write-up, we have discussed how to export Thunderbird Emails to EML files with attachments and all data. Here, we have explained both manual and automated solutions to complete this task. However, as we can see the manual approach comes with various drawbacks, which is not a suitable option for the users. Therefore, for simple, fast, and safe migration you can use the automated solution to migrate emails from Thunderbird to EML files. Additionally, the professional solution provides a free trial version of the toolkit to users to try and test the utility’s features and capabilities.