How to Import PST to Thunderbird Profile? Use Best 3 Ways

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On November 7th, 2023

Reading Time 10 Minutes Reading

Are you one of those people who are looking for a solution to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook, then read this article carefully. In this article, we will use three solutions that will help you complete this process very easily. If you are one of those users who were earlier using MS Outlook paid email client and now you have the default PST file of Outlook, but now you want to import that PST file into Thunderbird. However, in this blog post, we will answer many of your questions related to this query.

As we all know Microsoft Outlook is an email client application developed by Microsoft Corporation. Furthermore, Outlook offers email management, contact and calendar management notes features, etc. Large enterprises or organizations mostly use Outlook as the primary communication client. But, Microsoft Outlook is a paid application. Therefore, users preferred free email client applications. However, Thunderbird is a free email client application developed by Mozilla Corporation.

It has been used as an email, newsgroup, and chat client. Thunderbird is the second favorite email client application by professional users. If you are thinking to import PST to Thunderbird directly, then you cannot do it. But to solve this query, after doing a lot of research in our lab, we have found the 3 best solutions which we will tell you below in this article. So let’s start the article

Reasons to Import PST to Thunderbird Profile

One simple option for people with many email addresses is Thunderbird, which allows you to manage them all in one location.
Being free and maintained by the community, Thunderbird is an affordable option because it is open-source.
Being a versatile email client, Thunderbird may be enhanced with extensions and add-ons.
To improve performance and security, the Thunderbird development community regularly releases upgrades.
Using themes and plugins, Thunderbird lets you personalize your email experience to fit your needs.
By import PST to Thunderbird, you can reduce your dependence on Microsoft’s special Outlook email application.
Finding certain emails and information fast is made simple by Thunderbird’s search features.
Thunderbird provides easy integration and a comfortable user experience if you use other Mozilla products, such as Firefox.

Best Ways to Transfer PST File to Thunderbird

In this article, we will provide you with 3 solutions to import PST into Thunderbird, with the help of which you will complete this task very easily. If you have a technical background then you can use Method 1 or Method 2 because both these methods are manual, you can use any of the two methods as per your requirement. If you belong to a non-technical background, then you can skip both methods and move towards the third method because it is an automatic method. Now let us know the process of these three methods one by one.

Quick Steps to Import PST to Thunderbird Without Outlook

Download & Install Turgs Software.
Now, add the PST file on the Software panel.
After that, select the folder as needed.
Now, choose Thunderbird as a saving option.
Finally, choose Profile and click Convert.

Method 1: Use the Thunderbird Application

Launch the Thunderbird email client on your System.
After that, Click the 3-dash icon on the menu bar
Now, choose the Tools option in the drop-down and select the Import option.
After that, choose “Import from Outlook option” and click on Continue.
Now, select the option which you want to import and then tap Continue.
Finally, Click the Start import option.

Method 2: Use Google Takeout Service

We have divided this method into 3 phases first we will configure the Gmail account in the Outlook application and move the data. After that, in the second phase, we will export the data with the help of Google Takot, and then in the last phase, we will learn the process of importing the exported data into Thunderbird. Now let us know the process of all three phases one by one.

Phase 1: Configure Gmail Account

Note: Before configuring the account, you will have to enable the IMAP setting in Gmail and then create a password, after which follow the steps given below.

Launch an Outlook profile.
Select the Add Account button After clicking the File button.
Enter your Gmail account login information.
In the end, press the Finish button.

To import PST to Thunderbird, drag and drop your emails from your Outlook account to your linked Gmail account.

Phase 2: Export Data Using Google Takeout

Turn on your Google Takeout account.
Click the “Deselect All” button.
After selecting the necessary information, such as Mail, click the Next button.
Select the destination, frequency, file size type, etc.
To begin the procedure, click the Create Export option.

Your emails are now saved in MBOX format. Importing this file into the Thunderbird account will come next section.

Phase 3: Import Resultant Files into Thunderbird

Note: Before proceeding with the steps, you will need to add an ImportExportTools NG add-on to the Thunderbird email client, after which you can follow the steps given below.

Firstly, launch the Thunderbird email client.
Now, select the folder in which you want to import the file
Then, select the ImportExportTools NG >> Import MBOX Files option.
Now, select the Individual MBOX File option.
Finally, Browse the exported MBOX file and tap the Open button.

You’ve completed the procedure to import PST to Thunderbird accounts without using Outlook. However, manual techniques have several limitations, all of which are listed below.

Some Limitations of Manual Producer

Outlook and Thunderbird are both email applications that need to be installed on your computer. Observe the entire procedure safely.
The Thunderbird Import PST Wizard tool is deactivated in Thunderbird 38.0 and later versions, thus you will have to downgrade your Thunderbird.
It is not possible to import numerous PST files into Thunderbird at once using the manual technique. It is necessary to repeatedly carry out the procedure.
When attempting to import Outlook PST files into Thunderbird, the most recent Thunderbird user encounters a No Profile Found Error.

Method 3: Import PST Files to Thunderbird Using Automatic Tool

If you do not want to get trapped in the limitations of manual methods, then you will have to use automatic tools and the name of the tool you should use is Turgs PST Converter Tool. If you need to transfer your data without Outlook then this software is well and uniquely designed. With the help of this utility, you can also transfer multiple files at one time to the Thunderbird application. This software provides a user-friendly interface that non-technical users find an easy way to import.

If you are worried about whether this software will work or not before purchasing the pro version of the software, then do not worry, this software is available in the demo version. You can import 25 initial emails into Thunderbird so that you can understand the workings of the software. Now let us know the working process of the software with the help of screenshots.

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Working Process of Automatic Software With Screenshots

Firstly, download, install, and launch the software on any OS system.
After the launch, choose the PST file with dual selection mode.
The software analyzes all the folders and then Selects the required email folder.
Now, choose the Thunderbird option in the list of saving options.
The software automatically selects the default profile location of Thunderbird.
Finally, press the Convert button to start the importing process.
Now launch Thunderbird to view all of the imported emails in all of their details.

Advanced Benefits of Professional Tool

Easily handle corrupted and damaged Outlook PST files for importing.
Standalone Utility to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook Installed.
Dual selection mode option for adding bulk and unlimited PST files in the software panel.
Support ANSI or Unicode PST file to directly import into Mozilla Thunderbird account profile.
It comes with a simple and consistent graphical user interface platform for non-technical users.
Import Outlook contacts to Thunderbird directly without Outlook installation.
Advance recovery mode will help you to search for missing and lost emails from Outlook PST files.
The software supports all versions of the Microsoft Windows & Mac operating system.

FAQs to Import PST to Thunderbird

Ques. Can Thunderbird natively open PST files without add-ons?
Ans. Thunderbird does not natively support PST files. You’ll need to use add-ons to facilitate the import. PST files are a proprietary format used by Microsoft Outlook, which isn’t compatible with Thunderbird’s default file formats.

Ques. What is the maximum size of a PST file that can be imported into Thunderbird?
Ans. The size limit for importing via an add-on varies based on the add-on and Thunderbird version. These add-ons can often handle PST files up to a few megabytes in size. However, for specific size constraints, see the documentation of the add-on you’re using. If you wish to transmit an infinite number of files at once, you must utilize the professional solutions we recommend.

Ques. Is it possible to import PST files with password protection in Thunderbird?
Ans. Importing password-protected PST files into Thunderbird can be challenging. Thunderbird cannot handle these files well. It is recommended to remove password protection from the PST file before attempting the import to avoid compatibility issues. But if you use the professional software mentioned by us, then you do not need to remove the password. Because, with the help of this software, password-protected PST files can be imported into Thunderbird very easily.

Ques. What should I do if there are issues in the manual procedure or if the PST import fails?
Ans. Take into consideration the following solutions if you run into issues when importing PSTs:

Verify that there is no corruption in the PST file.
Verify that you are using the most recent add-on version.
See the documentation for the add-on for troubleshooting advice.
Seek assistance from the add-on’s forums or support community on certain error messages.

According to specialists, you should employ automated tools if you are still having difficulties after this.

Conclusion

In this article, we have described three methods to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook. Here, we have reviewed two manual solutions and one automatic solution, any of which you can use. All three methods have been tested in the Turgs’ lab and are 100% working. If you follow the expert’s opinion, then you should use the automatic tool because the manual process does not work in very specific situations due to which your file may get corrupted. In this article, we have tried to answer every question you need. If you still have any questions, you can get help from the support team.