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How to Export Thunderbird Emails to Outlook? Best Solutions Only

Summary: This article describes the methods to export emails from Thunderbird to Outlook. The solutions displayed in this article holds true for not only Outlook 2019, but also Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 & 2003.

The launch of the latest Outlook version added fuel to the already lit email migration of users from various email clients to Microsoft Outlook. One among them is being able to export Thunderbird to Outlook. With new and improved features, Microsoft Outlook is giving users more reasons to switch than before. Better security features, easy sorting, a focused inbox, and much more.

Although both these email applications are among the very best available, Outlook is still preferred for business purposes. And with its increased range of facilities, Outlook 2019 is definitely turning the heads of Mozilla Thunderbird users.

Quick Overview:

Thunderbird is an open-source email application that uses MBOX files (with no extension) to store all its emails and attachments. Outlook is an email client of Microsoft available in the Office suite. It stores all kinds of mailbox items like emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, etc., in PST format. So, there is no direct way to move emails from Thunderbird to Outlook account.

User Queries Asking to Export Thunderbird Emails to Outlook

Query 1:

Query 2:

There are several similar user queries all over the internet that demand a Thunderbird to Outlook import guide. Hence, we have arranged some indigenous methods to help formulate the best ways to export Thunderbird emails to an Outlook account.

How to Convert Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook?

This segment comprises multiple techniques that have been successful over the past years for the conversion of Thunderbird emails. We will discuss them all one at a time.

However, keep in mind that every technique requires something in return. Some will require your time and effort, some will require your money. And then some require you to compromise with data integrity. It entirely depends on the requirements of users in need.

Import Thunderbird Emails to Outlook with IMAP

This step requires you to configure a webmail account(say Gmail) with Thunderbird and Outlook. For those who don’t know how, the steps are as follows:

I. First step is to enable IMAP settings in Gmail:

• Create a Gmail account if you don’t have one already
• Log in and go to Settings > Forwarding POP/IMAP
• Here, select the Enable IMAP radio button

II. Once done, we open the Thunderbird application, which has all the emails that require transfer.

1. Go to the Tools menu button and hit the Account Settings option
2. Here, go to the Account Actions dropdown and choose Add Mail account
3. In the window, enter your Gmail credentials and hit Continue
4. Here, select the IMAP option and hit Done. The account will be added
5. Now, create a new folder in that Gmail account. Name it accordingly
6. Now, simply move all of your Thunderbird emails that you want to export to Outlook to this new folder
7. Log in to your Gmail account via a web browser to ensure all data is safely synced there

III. Now, finally configure the same Gmail account in MS Outlook

• For this, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > New
  Here, enter your Gmail credentials and hit the Connect button.
• Now the account will be set up, and you can access the Thunderbird emails in Outlook via Gmail.

Shortcomings: This whole procedure will take time for all emails to be synced. The manual load is also high. But more importantly, you will lose the folder structure with this as well as retaining data becomes difficult. There are chances of missing emails judging from various past occurrences.

Drag-Drop Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook

In this method, we will take advantage of the drag-and-drop functionality supported by both Mozilla Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook.

I. First Step is to Save Thunderbird Data as EML Files

For this, create a new folder on the desktop and name it as per your choice.
Now, in the Thunderbird application, select all the emails that you want to export to Outlook.

Afterward, simply drag and drop them into the newly created folder on the desktop. This will save them all as EML files.

II. Now Import All the Saved Files into Microsoft Outlook

For this, drag and drop all the EML files from the desktop folder to a mailbox folder in Outlook 2019.

Shortcomings: You can find this method in detail on almost every article available online related to exporting Thunderbird emails to Outlook. But, in reality, this method does not work or you could say that it is not technically feasible. Outlook treats the drag and drop EML files as attachments and hence won’t showcase the emails. So technically you cannot work with the Thunderbird data after importing it in Outlook with this method.

Instant Solution to Migrate from Thunderbird to Outlook

Because the workarounds are manual tricks to convert Thunderbird data, they are not trustworthy. The best method for such a case is the direct conversion of the MBOX file from Thunderbird to Outlook PST format via an automated tool – MBOX to PST Converter. Since Thunderbird and Outlook are compatible with MBOX and PST formats, respectively. By undergoing such a conversion, all the MBOX information can be easily imported to the PST file without the intervention of human errors.

Some benefits of the software are as follows:

• It is developed to serve all kinds of Thunderbird to Outlook migration needs:
  • Auto-detection of Thunderbird profiles
  • Or, scanning Thunderbird MBOX files for data
• Retains both emails and attachments without losing information
• Can import Thunderbird profiles data to Outlook
• Provides a preview of all data items within the interface
• Customizable export options for selective email import
• Conversion to UNICODE PST is easily accessible in Outlook 2019
• And, the fast transfer rate for quick Thunderbird emails to Outlook 2019 migration

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Thunderbird to Outlook import software is also available as a free trial version, which allows users to export 25 emails from Thunderbird to Outlook for free. To enjoy unlimited data transfer, a licensed version needs to be purchased.

Steps to Export Thunderbird Emails to Outlook?

• Step-1: Run Thunderbird Converter on your Windows system.
• Step-2: Add the Thunderbird mailbox in the software and Scan.
• Step-3: Preview all Thunderbird emails in the software panel.
• Step-4: Select PST as the export type from the export option.
• Step-5: Hit the Export button to start the export process and wait.
• Step-6: After getting the PST file, use Outlook and import it.

Important Note: Thunderbird to Outlook import software is also available for Mac users. All you need to do is to download the free demo version of the Mac variant and later upgrade it to full version to access all its capabilities. Try it now:

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Some Questions Regarding the Conversion

Q. Can I use the given solution for Thunderbird to Outlook 2016 and lower versions?
A. Yes, the given approach is fully compatible with Thunderbird to Outlook 2021,  2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 versions.

Q. I have backup files of Thunderbird (in MBOX format). Can I export them to Outlook?
A. Yes, the last given method can easily export Thunderbird emails to Outlook 2019 regardless of whether backup files are used or Thunderbird itself is present.

Q. Do I need an Outlook environment for conversion?
A. We have defined multiple methods in the article, out of which two require MS Outlook to be installed. However, one of the solutions easily works without Outlook.

Q. Can I transfer emails from Thunderbird to Outlook on Mac OS?
A. Yes, you can. But first, move the files from the Mac to the Windows system to apply the given procedures.