Transfer Outlook Data to Thunderbird - Learn Easy Methods & Tool

In case you need to transfer Outlook data to Thunderbird, there are some manual as well as automatic tool solution available– Mozilla Thunderbird > Tools > Import, Google Takeout service by Google, and a verified software. You need to convert your PST files to MBOX format for easy and secured transfer of data.

This guide consists of reasons you should switch to Thunderbird, step-by-step explanation of manual methods and a verified tool to import Outlook PST to Thunderbird.

Table of Contents

Possible Reasons to Import Outlook Data to Thunderbird
Various Methods to Import Data from Outlook to Thunderbird
Conclusion

Possible Reasons to Import Outlook Data to Thunderbird

Thunderbird is Free of Cost

This is one of the most common reasons why people prefer Thunderbird over Outlook. As it is not possible for a small scale company to purchase a Microsoft license for every employee. Whereas Thunderbird provides almost similar features at no cost.
Compatibility with Multiple Platforms

Mozilla Thunderbird is compatible with multiple platforms – Windows, Mac, UNIX & Linux. Especially for Linux & UNIX users, Thunderbird is a better option as Outlook is not compatible with them.
Circumstantial Requirement

It might be possible that a user needs to migrate to Thunderbird, then they need to move Outlook emails to Thunderbird. With this conversion, a user can access that file into any email client that supports MBOX file.

Various Methods to Import Data from Outlook to Thunderbird

Manual and automotive solutions to import Outlook Data to Thunderbird are mentioned below with step-by-step explained–

A. Manual Steps to Transfer Outlook Data to Thunderbird

Click on Start button >> Control Panel >> Default Programs >> Set your default programs.
Select Outlook & set it as your default program. Now, Outlook is your default email program.
Open Mozilla Thunderbird >> Tools >> Import.

A popup appears, select Mail & click Next.

Now from the list of email clients select Outlook, click Next.

Select the PST file from the destination. Once the process is complete click Finish.

You can continue the same process for other address book, filters & other options mentioned there.

Note: You should keep in mind that this method does not work properly. Therefore, always backup Outlook emails in case the execution of this process affect the PST file.

B. Use Google Takeout to Transfer Outlook Data to Thunderbird

Google Takeout is a service that is provided by Google to export Gmail data into MBOX file format. As we know Thunderbird imports data in MBOX format, thus it can be easily done.

Important Note: Be careful! Make sure that your Gmail Id that is synchronized with Outlook should be done with IMAP. This is the only condition when the below-mentioned method would work.

If Gmail is synchronized with Outlook using IMAP, this means both Gmail & Outlook will have same emails.

Log in to your Gmail account & open Google Takeout.
After that, select the items you want to include in your archive & click Next.
Select the file format & click Create Archive.
Once the archive is created (in MBOX), import it into Thunderbird using ImportExportTools add on available in Thunderbird.
Now, Go to Tools >> Add-on & select “Install Add-on from File“, browse the download folder & install it.
Restart Thunderbird.
Go to Tools >> ImportExportTools >> Import MBOX file.
Select the MBOX file you created & import it in Thunderbird.

Attention: It will not work if you have an orphan PST or if your Outlook is configured with a POP protocol.

C. Use an Outlook PST to Mozilla Thunderbird Import Software

A specialized software is designed in such a way that it can efficiently export PST to MBOX for Thunderbird ensuring that the integrity of the PST file is intact. Here are some reasons why this software is preferred over other methods. You can download the software to check if it works for you.

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Firstly, works well with any kind of PST file- configured with IMAP/ POP, an orphan file.
Secondly, no PST file size limitation.
The entire conversion process is complete with a few simple steps.
Execution of steps does not consume much time.

Steps to Transfer Outlook Data to Thunderbird in Windows:

Step 1. Launch the software and browse for the PST file.

Step 2. After selecting the PST files, click Next to move to Apply Filter section.

Step 3. Select category of the data you want to export to MBOX format. Select the desired date range and click Next.

Step 4. Select MBOX from the given format list and click Next.

Step 5. Select your destination folder and click on Start Export to start the process.

Step 6. Click View Result and check the exported MBOX files in the destination folder.

Note: Now that the files are exported from MBOX format, you can easily import these files in Thunderbird, either using ImportExportTools NG add-on or a dedicated tool like SysTools Thunderbird Import Wizard.

Related Solution: Export Outlook Calendar to Thunderbird
Also Read: Professional Guide to Import Mail from Outlook 2011 / 2016 to Thunderbird

Steps to Export Outlook Data File to Thunderbird on Mac

Step 1. Firstly, download mac PST converter software and install it on your system.

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Step 2. Select PST contacts file or folder to convert.

Step 3. Click on MBOX format from the Export option.

Step 4. Set the location to save output and click Export.

transfer outlook data to thunderbird mbox

At last, import MBOX files using ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird.

Also Read: Can Thunderbird Export to MSG File to Use Emails in Outlook?

Conclusion

Transferring data from Outlook to Thunderbird is a smart move as Thunderbird offers similar features to Outlook at no extra cost. Backup the Outlook data in case the manual methods do not give the desired result, which can affect PST files in result. Securely transfer PST files in bulk using the verified software, which is compatible with both Windows and Mac.