Mozilla Thunderbird is an open-source email client used by Windows, Mac, & Linux users. It generally helps to manage groups of the email accounts. Moreover, it saves the mailbox contents, like attachments, emails, journals, tasks, and other stuff on a system or local machine.
Despite having several exceptional features, Thunderbird has also some consequences that force users to export Thunderbird to Outlook. So, let’s check out the next section to know why users need to migrate Thunderbird mailboxes to MS Outlook.
Why Users Need to Shift Their Thunderbird Mailboxes to MS Outlook?
- Compared to Mozilla Thunderbird, MS Outlook has better folder system.
- Thunderbird cross-platform does not contain the task & calendar list but Outlook has such features.
- In Outlook, it is easy to find emails based on sender, keywords, or specific attachments.
- Microsoft Outlook has a spam filter that assists in avoiding phishing attacks.
- Outlook has better security features than Thunderbird.
Now, let’s find out the ways to perform the Thunderbird emails exporting task effortlessly.
How to Export Thunderbird to Outlook with Best Methods?
Method 1- Migrate Thunderbird Emails to MS Outlook with IMAP
The first manual technique involves four parts. Although to apply this procedure, you must have the Gmail account. If you have a Gmail account, you can easily configure your Google account in Mozilla Thunderbird. In case, if you don’t have an account, create it.
Follow the below steps for exporting Thunderbird emails to Microsoft Outlook.
Step 1- Enable the IMAP Access
- First, open your browser & login in to your Google account >> open ‘Settings’ >> click on the ‘Forwarding and POP/IMAP’.
- Next, choose the Enable IMAP in IMAP Access section.
- Now, click the ‘Save Changes’ option.
Step 2- Turn OFF Two-Step Verification in Gmail Account
Make sure to disable 2-step verification in your Google account (Gmail). Because if it is enabled, you’ll be unable to allow the less secure permission.
Step 3- Add the Gmail Account to Thunderbird Email Client
In the third step, you’ve to configure the Google account in the Thunderbird. Here are the complete steps to add your Gmail to a Thunderbird account.
- Open the Thunderbird app >> click the Accounts Settings.
- Next, click on account actions dropdown >> then click on “Add Mail account”.
- Now, enter your account credentials >> click Continue.
- Here, you need to choose the IMAP option >> hit Done.
- Meanwhile, choose remote folders >> continue.
- Under navigation panel, choose your profile >> create a new folder.
- After that, go to Thunderbird’s mailbox, choose all files >> copy & paste them to a new folder.
- Now, you will get all copied mails in the created folder.
Step 4- Configure the Gmail to Outlook Account
In this step, you’ve to add a similar Gmail account to MS Outlook. To do so, follow the steps.
- Open MS Outlook >> go to File option.
- Then, click the Account Settings, and select Account Settings.
- From an email tab >> click on the New.
- Under add account window, you have to enter your name, Gmail id, password, and retype password. Click Next button.
- Once the validation gets over, you’ll receive a successful screen. Hit on a Finish button.
- At this time, exit the window of Account settings.
- After this choose the Gmail address on the left pane to view all the emails.
- Congratulations! You have successfully migrated the Thunderbird to Microsoft Outlook.
Limitations of Manual Method
- Manual methods can lead to data corruption & data loss.
- Complex and time-consuming.
- Not appropriate for a large number of mails to export.
- Unable to export the deleted mails from Mozilla Thunderbird to MS Outlook.
To outcome these drawbacks, the next technique can help you.
Method 2- Convert Mozilla Thunderbird to MS Outlook with Professional Tool
Before you export Thunderbird to Outlook, it is significant to convert the Thunderbird (MBOX) to Outlook (PST) file. In order to perform this task, you can use the professional Thunderbird to MS Outlook converter software, such as Stellar Converter for MBOX.
With the help of this utility, you can easily transfer all your Thunderbird mailbox items to Microsoft Outlook in minimum time & less effort. Below you can find other igneous features of this MBOX to PST converter tool:
- It has the ability to convert single as well as various MBOX files to Outlook PSTs.
- Exports the MBOX directly to Office 365.
- Offers multiple options of saving, such as PDF, RTF, and HTML.
- Displays the preview of the MBOX mailbox stuff before saving.
Steps to Be Followed Before You Convert MBOX to PST:
Step 1– Copy the Identity folder or MBOX files from Mac system to Windows PC. To find this, follow the below path:
- In Windows– C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\
- In Mac– ~Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/sample. default”
Step 2- If MBOX files or Identity Folder is not found, then follow the below steps to export the MBOX files from Thunderbird application manually:
- Open the Thunderbird app >> click ‘Tools >> Add Ons’
- Find the ImportExportTools NG >> click on the ‘Add to Thunderbird‘ option to install it.
- After this, right-click the Thunderbird email profile >> choose ImportExportTools NG then Exportall the folders.
- Next, create the new folder >> click on ‘Select Folder‘
- It’ll save the Thunderbird email stuff in MBOX format in the folder (Identity Folder).
How to Convert the Thunderbird Mails to MS Outlook PST?
- Download, install & open the Stellar Converter for MBOX tool >> choose “Thunderbird” option from the ‘Email Client’ dropdown menu.
- Then, click on ‘Select Identity’ in order to browse & select Identity folder for adding the MBOX files to convert.
- Choose MBOX files >> click on ‘Convert’
- Once converted, the program lists all the Thunderbird mailbox items. Here, you can simply click & preview the individual emails & their attachments.
Please NOTE: Activate the tool to export converted MBOX files into current PST file or a new PST file.
- Ensure to close Outlook. Then, click on ‘Save Converted File‘ under the ‘Home’ tab.
- Select New PST option & click ‘Next‘.
- Now, click on ‘Browse‘ option to select the save location >> click ‘Save‘ option.
After that, you can simply import this PST file (New) to your MS Outlook account through Outlook Import & Export Wizard. And even successfully migrate the Thunderbird to MS Outlook.
Import Converted PST into MS Outlook 2019/2016/2013 for Windows
- Open Outlook on the Windows PC >> click on File then Open & Export >> Import and Export Wizard.
- After this, click on ‘Next’ >> select ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)’ >> click on ‘Next’ button.
- Now, click on Browse option to select the converted file (PST) >> click ‘Next’ option.
- At this time, select a folder in MS Outlook profile to import Thunderbird mailbox items >> click Finish.
Conclusion
Well, it is a tedious job to export Thunderbird to Outlook. However, by following the above step-by-step methods you can easily do so. But let me tell you very clearly, the manual way is not straightforward and can take a lot of time. Therefore, it is highly recommended to go for an automatic way- Stellar Converter for MBOX tool to migrate Thunderbird mailboxes to MS Outlook effortlessly.
