Transfer Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook with Best Guide

Mozilla Thunderbird is a widely used email client known for its robust features for managing emails, contacts, and other information. This data is usually saved either in the user identity profile folder or in a custom location defined by users.

However, Thunderbird users sometimes face issues such as bugs, software crashes, virus infections, or unexpected errors, which may lead to mailbox corruption and data loss. On the other hand Outlook is a leading and popular email client that saves its data into PST file format. It also offers several advanced features that enhance email management, security, and productivity and capabilities that Thunderbird lacks.

As many users want to transform Thunderbird emails to PST format to import it into Outlook, this blog will help you to transfer emails from Thunderbird to Outlook step by step guide.

How to Migrate Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook?

So, there are three methods available to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook. You can do it through EML, using Gmail as a third-party client, or using any professional solution like we have mentioned below with all other methods. So go and follow the method that suits you best:

#1: Migrate Thunderbird to Outlook through EML

This is a very easy and simple method to perform Thunderbird to Outlook migration. First, try this simple method to resolve your issue, if this will not work then you can move to another method.

Important: This method is suitable if you have a limited number of emails to migrate to move from Thunderbird.

1. Launch Thunderbird.
2. Go to “Tools” >> “Add-ons & Themes”.
3. Search “ImportExportTools NG” and install it.
4. If it is already installed, then move to the “Next” steps.
5. Restart the Thunderbird.
6. Right-click on the folder that contains emails.
7. Select the “ImportExportTools NG” option.
8. And then “Export All Messages in Folder” >> “EML Format”.

   

9. Locate the path and click on the “Select Folder” option.

   

10. All your emails will be saved in .eml format at the selected location to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook.

Now we will import EML files to Outlook account by following given steps below:

1. Go to the location of .eml files.
2. Right-click on any exported email.
3. Choose “Open With” and then “Outlook”.

   

4. Your file will open in your Outlook account successfully.

#2: Transfer Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook using Gmail

Gmail is a web-based email service, which can easily connect to any third-party tool like Thunderbird and Outlook account. So, follow all the steps carefully and also read all the drawbacks of this method:

Step 1: Connect Gmail to Thunderbird

1. Start Thunderbird email client.
2. Head to the “Tools” icon. (using ALT)
3. Choose “Account Settings” from the list.

   

4. Find “Account Actions” and then “Add Mail Account”.

   

5. Provide login details of Gmail: email address & app password.

   

6. Choose between “IMAP and POP” and enter details.

   

7. Lastly, hit on the “Finish” button.

   

After connecting accounts restart the Thunderbird again for verifying the connection. After that, right-click on the Thunderbird folder which contains your emails choose the “Move To” option, and select your connected Gmail account.

Wait for a while and finally, your all emails successfully move into your Gmail account. Let’s move to another step to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook:

Step 2: Set Up a Similar Account in Outlook

1. Open an Outlook account.
2. Press on the “File” tab.

   

3. Choose “Add Account” from the “Info” tab.

   

4. Choose “Manual Setup” and “Next” option.

   

5. Select “POP or IMAP” >> “Next” icon.

   

6. Provide account login and server details.

   

7. Go to “Outgoing Server” from the “More Settings” option.
8. Check the “Outgoing Server” and “OK” icon.

   

9. Go to the “Advanced” tab and provide server details.

   

10. Back to the main screen and click on the “Next” icon.

    

11. Wait for the task completed.

    

12. Finally, hit on the “Close” and “Finish” buttons.

    

After a successful connection, you will see a new Google account in the Outlook email client. Now move the uploaded Thunderbird folder from Gmail to Outlook.

How to Migrate Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook? Complete Steps

1. Download, install, and run the Thunderbird to Outlook importer software on your local system.

   

2. Next, upload your Thunderbird files or folders manually or automatically from the connected profile in the software panel by using the given buttons.

   

3. After uploading all the mailboxes, check and uncheck the required files that you want to export.

   

4. Now, select the saving option as “PST” from the drop-down list.

   

5. You can apply some advanced filters from the “Filter Options” tab to migrate from Thunderbird to Outlook selectively.

   

6. Then, specify a destination location path where you want to save the resultant exported files.

   

7. In the end, press the “Convert” button to start the exporting process.

   

8. After sometimes your Thunderbird to Outlook migration process is completed, press the “OK” button on the pop-up message to proceed further.

   

After exporting Thunderbird emails in .pst format, now we have to import them into the Outlook account by following the given steps.

How to Import Resultant Files into Outlook?

1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your local computer and go to the “File” section.
2. Next, pick the “Open & Export” button, then hit “Import/Export.”

   

3. After that, in the new window, pick the “Import from another program or file” option and proceed by pressing “Next.”

   

4. Next, pick “Outlook Data File (.pst)” from the given list and hit “Next.”

   

5. Locate your exported file using “Browse” button.

   

6. Select the folder where you want to upload file.

   

FAQs

• Q1: Is there a manual way to transfer emails from Thunderbird to Outlook?

  Answer: Yes, there is a manual method involving using Gmail as a mediator. However, this approach has multiple drawbacks including potential data loss, time consumption, and the requirement to have both applications installed in your local system.

• Q2: How long does it take to export emails from Thunderbird to Outlook?

  Answer: The duration depends on the volume of emails and the method used. Manual methods can be very time-consuming, while automated solutions are generally much faster.

• Q3: Do I need technical expertise to perform this email migration?

  Answer: For the manual method, some technical knowledge might be helpful. However, the above-mentioned automated solution is designed user-friendly and typically doesn’t require extensive technical expertise.

• Q4: Will my email formatting be preserved when I export from Thunderbird to Outlook?

  Answer: Yes, the automated converter software is completely capable of preserving data integrity and email formatting during the migration process.

• Q5: After migration, will I still be able to access my old Thunderbird emails if needed?

  Answer: Yes, unless you manually delete your Thunderbird profile, your original emails will remain in Thunderbird. The migration process typically creates a copy of your emails for use in Outlook, leaving the original data in Thunderbird untouched.

Conclusion

In the write-up, we have discussed how to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook with complete data efficiently. Here, we have described both manual and automated solutions with the complete step-by-step procedure to accomplish this exporting process. However, as we have seen the manual approach comes with various drawbacks, which is not suitable for the users.

Thus, it’s a wise option to go with the automated solution that we have mentioned above to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook. Additionally, the automated solution provides a free trial version of the utility to users to try the features and functionality of the software.

How to Export Emails from Thunderbird to PST Format Manually?

Method 1: Drag & Drop Process

Preparation: ImportExportToolNG installation is required by following the given step:

1. Go to “Add-ons & Themes” from the “Tools” option.
2. Search for the “ImportExportToolNG” tool.
3. Click on the “Add to Thunderbird” button.

Step 1: Save Emails Locally

1. Head to the Thunderbird account.
2. Move all your emails into one folder.
3. Right-click on that folder.
4. Choose “ImportExportTools” from the list.
5. Then, choose “Export All Messages” >> “EML Format”.
   
6. Next, locate any path to save the output folder.
   
7. Lastly, hit the “Select Folder” >> “Save” icon.

Step 2: Import EML to Outlook 

1. Make a new folder in Outlook in advance.
2. Locate the exported folder.
3. Right-click on any required email.
   
4. Choose “Open With” >> “Outlook” option.
   
5. Your email will open.
6. Choose the “Move To” option and select the newly created folder previously.
   

3 Step: Export Thunderbird to PST

1. Log in to your Outlook account.
2. Go to the “File” tab and then the “Open & Export” option.
3. After that, press the “Import/Export” option.
   
4. Choose the “Export to a File” button.
   
5. And then, “Outlook Data Files” from the list.
   
6. Select the folder in which your emails are stored.
   
7. Find any safe location to save your emails locally to export Thunderbird emails to PST.
   
8. Enable needed filters and press on the “Finish” button.

Method 2: Convert Thunderbird Mailbox to PST through Gmail

Step 1: Connect Gmail to Thunderbird

1. Create a new label in Gmail.
2. Launch your Thunderbird.
3. Hit the “ALT” key and then “Tools” from the top.
   
4. After that, click on the “Account Settings”.
5. Find “Account Actions” and select “Add Mail Account” from the appearing list.
   
6. Put your full name, email address, and created app password and press on the “Continue” button.
   
7. After that, choose “IMAP” and then the “Done” button to export Thunderbird emails to PST.
   

Step 2: Connect Same Google Account in Outlook

1. Start your Outlook profile.
2. Choose “Add Account” from the “File” tab.
   
3. A screen will appear and hit on the “Manual Setup or Additional Server Types” and then the “Next” icon.
   
4. Go for the “POP or IMAP” option and hit the “Next” button to continue the process.
   
5. After that, type your name, email address, app password, and IMAP server details and go for the “More Settings” option.
   
6. Head to the “Outgoing Server” tab and check the “My Outgoing Server (SMTP) requires authentication” and provide the asked details and the “OK” button.
   
7. Then, click on the “Advanced” tab and enter “Incoming Server IMAP: 993”, “Outgoing Server IMAP: 465” and then the “OK” button.
   
8. After configuring all the settings, go to the main screen and “Next” button.
   
9. Wait for the completion of all the tasks and the “Close” button.
   
10. Lastly, click on the “Finish” button to export Thunderbird emails to PST.
    

How to Export Thunderbird to PST in Bulk?

1. Click on the Download and install the Thunderbird to PST converter.
2. Read all the given instructions on the software’s screen and click on the “Next” button.
   
3. Add your Thunderbird profile data automatically or manually using the “Select Files” and “Select Folders” buttons.
   
4. Complete Thunderbird data will show on the panel, you can select the required data from here according to your choice and hit on the “Next” button to continue the process.
   
5. Hit on the “Select Saving Option” and choose “PST” as your saving type.
   
6. After that, press on the “Filter Options” and apply the needed filters to export Thunderbird to PST selectively.
   
7. Select the destination using the “Browse (Folders)” icon and a screen will appear choose the path and the “OK” button.
   
8. Hit on the “Next” or “Convert” button to start the Thunderbird to PST conversion.
   
9. After completing the process, a confirmation message will appear, and click on the “OK” button.
   
10. Lastly, the selected path will open automatically, where you can see your converted PST file.
    

Final Words