Live Chat
Home » Import » Email Client » How to Import MSG to Thunderbird in 3 Easy Steps
Email Client, MS Outlook

How to Import MSG to Thunderbird in 3 Easy Steps

  author
Published By Mohit
Tej Pratap Shukla
Approved By Tej Pratap Shukla
Published On October 17th, 2023

This article delivers complete information on MSG to Thunderbird Importation where we will provide step by step guidance for:

  1. Transfer MSG to MBOX format
  2. Import MBOX to Thunderbird Client

For comprehensive insight keep reading further.

Outlook MSG files are created when the user drags and drops a single email from Outlook to Windows Explorer. This form of email is saved in the .msg extension. It only saves one selected message with its attributes like email body, receiver, sender, date, time, appointment, etc.

Challenges While Accessing MSG File

The main issue arises when the user opens the MSG file but does not access his Outlook account. Because .msg files can be accessed through the Outlook application only. Besides this, some other reasons are there which motivate the user to import MSG files to an email client such as Thunderbird.
Thunderbird application is a distinguished product by Mozilla. It is favored by users because it is not only free but offers functional features of managing and storing emails, calendars, contacts, etc. It stores emails in MBOX format which keeps them in a chained manner.

For that reason, Thunderbird becomes the first choice to import MSG to Thunderbird format in the absence of a configured Outlook account. Some additional grounds such as

Reasons to Import Outlook MSG Files to Thunderbird

  • Damaged or corrupted MSG files
  • Upgrading operating system
  • Shifting from Outlook to Thunderbird
  • Office 365 subscription expiration
  • Deletion of Outlook account

Opportunely MSG to MBOX Converter tool resolves all the issues that occur while importing Outlook message files. Regardless of what has impelled you to move from Outlook MSG files to Thunderbird this utility will import MSG emails without any glitch.

Methods to Import MSG to Thunderbird

  • Manual method (high risk of file corruption)
  • Reliable method (Three steps for conversion)

Regrettably, neither Outlook nor Thunderbird has offered any legitimate manual method to transfer MSG emails to MBOX format. The below-provided method is just a temporary and unreliable solution. Before trying please make sure to create a backup of MSG files so just in case if it fails, you will still be having a copy of healthy and original MSG files.

Manual Method to Import MSG to MBOX (Not Recommended)

Step 1. Select the MSG files and right-click on them.
Step 2. Then change the file extension from .msg to .mbox.
Step 3. Now right-click on it and choose Thunderbird as default to open the file.
Step 4. Check if resultant MSG files are accessible by Thunderbird or not.

Note – Thunderbird does not provide an explicit way to import these files. Furthermore, you can add the transferred files in the store folder of Thunderbird.

The Downside of the Manual Method

  • Files might get corrupt
  • Create clutter in Thunderbird mailbox
  • Shown in Sender folder
  • Impractical for multiple .msg files
  • Blank msg files with the current date

Import MSG to Thunderbird Using a Reliable Method

PCVITA MSG to MBOX Importer Tool is equipped with advanced features to transfer MSG Outlook files in a straightforward method within a few minutes. The developer makes sure to keep the Meta properties intact while transferring the files. The resultant data files will be in a healthy format without any data loss.

Download Now Purchase Now

Tip – These imported files can also be transferred to other MBOX supportive applications such as Apple Mail, Eudora, PowerMail, Spicebird, and many more.

Step 1. Launch the MSG emails to MBOX tool and add MSG files.

msg to mbox
Step 2. Preview and select the MSG files and choose MBOX as the selected file format.

mbox export type
Step 3. Choose your destination location to save the converted MSG files and click OK.

export report

That’s all. Now you have successfully changed your MSG files. Now we have to import them to the Thunderbird platform. The next section describes the steps to import the transferred files.

Import MBOX Data Files to Thunderbird

Step 1. Run Thunderbird then click Tools >> ImportExportTools

import export tool

Step 2. In the next prompt, you can go with the default selected “import directly one or more MBOX files” or any other import way accordingly and click the OK tab.

Step 3. Choose the recently generated MBOX file(s) and click on the Open tab.

Step 4. Files will be uploaded on the Thunderbird platform and now these MSG files are accessible in the Thunderbird application.

Bonus Features of MSG to MBOX Importer

  • Also offers PST, PDF, EML, NSF, Office 365 format.
  • Works efficiently for Corrupt and damaged MSG files in healthy format
  • Maintains data integrity and keep Metadata intact
  • Preview various attributes of MSG files
  • Automatic detection of saved files
  • Independent utility (Do not need Outlook application)
  • The tool works with both Mac and Windows OS.

Final Thoughts

This blog expresses manual and direct methods to import MSG to Thunderbird email client applications. We have covered all the aspects of both methods. Users have the freedom to choose any of them at their convenience.