How to Import PST File to Thunderbird? Step-by-Step Guide

You can easily import PST File to Thunderbird using three simple methods- using Import method in Outlook, Google Takeout approach or a dedicated tool to open Outlook PST files in Thunderbird account. Open Outlook > File > Open & Export > Import from Another Program or File > Outlook Data File (.PST).

This guide explains the importance of importing PST files to Thunderbird, manual as well as automated tool process to simplify the process.

Key Takeaways

• Despite being a feature-rich and versatile email program, Outlook is a paid email application with high maintenance costs.
• Outlook users want to switch to a freeware email service provider like Thunderbird, which is also reliable.
• Once people move to Thunderbird, they need to import PST files to Thunderbird to access their old data.
• Manual methods can be complex and time-consuming for users with non-technical background.
• You can import your PST files in bulk safely using a dedicated import tool.

Why Import PST File to Thunderbird Account?

The following are the reasons why a user needs to open a PST file in Thunderbird:

• Multiple Compatibility:Thunderbird is compatible with almost all operating systems. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and UNIX. Especially for Linux and UNIX users, Thunderbird is a better option. If you use multiple devices with different OS, then migrate PST files to Thunderbird.
• Migration: Users also want to migrate their PST files to Thunderbird when they are switching or migrating. It will help them to access their old data in a new account.
• Personal Preference:There are chances where users use different desktop-based email clients for home and office. To access all the emails under one email platform, it is wise to import Outlook to Thunderbird.
• Spam: Spam filtering is a great feature of Thunderbird. This is one of the reasons why users want to migrate PST files to Thunderbird.
• Security: Data security is one of the major concerns seen among users, and Thunderbird offers the best security option. Hence, users do not need to worry about their data when they try to import a PST file into a Thunderbird account.
• Unchangeable Application: Thunderbird is a free application. This is another major reason to import PST to Thunderbird.

Open PST File in Thunderbird Manually

Users can use several techniques to transfer Outlook data to Thunderbird. All of the solutions, including manual and advanced, are listed below along with the step-by-step procedure.

1. Import PST to Thunderbird Using the Import Method

If you have an orphan PST file, then you first need to import it into your Outlook account. To do this, simply follow the steps mentioned below–

1. Firstly, set Outlook as the default program on your computer via the Control Panel.
2. Now, open the Thunderbird profile and click on the Tools option.
3. After that, select the Import option and then click on Mail.
4. Choose Outlook, browse the PST file, then hit the Finish button.

2. Import PST Files to Thunderbird Account Using Google Takeout

In this approach, users need to configure a Gmail account in Outlook and then export the PST emails to the Gmail account. After that, they can extract this data via Google Takeout in the MBOX file, which is supported by Thunderbird. This completes the PST to Thunderbird migration process. Here is the step-by-step process to implement it.

1. Open your Gmail account and go to Settings >> Forwarding and POP/IMAP >> Choose Enable IMAP and Save the changes.
2. Launch Outlook and navigate to File>> Add Account option and enter the credentials of the Gmail account to configure the same.
3. Once the Gmail configuration with Outlook is completed, create a new folder and copy and drag the desired Outlook emails to the newly created folder in the configured Gmail ID to import PST to Thunderbird.
4. After that, log in to the Gmail account and open Google Takeout (https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout) by entering the correct credentials to open the PST file in Thunderbird.
5. From Select Data to include an option, choose Mail, and click Next to import the PST file to Thunderbird.
   
6. Under Customize archive format, specify the File type, Archive size, and Delivery method, and click the Create Export button.
   
7. Now, download the ZIP file that contains the Outlook data using whichever delivery method you have selected.
8. The emails are downloaded in the MBOX file, which is present in the Mail folder.
9. Then, import the PST file into Thunderbird using the ImportExportTools NG add-on by clicking on Tools >> ImportExportTools NG >> Import MBOX file to access the PST emails in the Thunderbird application.

An Expert Approach to Open Outlook PST File in Thunderbird Account

With the help of SysTools PST File Converter, users can directly convert their mailboxes into MBOX files in a matter of minutes. Since Mozilla Thunderbird supports MBOX, this utility is highly recommended by experts to get the job done. After all, it effectively allows a user to import a PST file into Thunderbird. Moreover, the tool does not pose any file size restriction on the source PST files. The software also includes an additional option to preserve the folder hierarchy of the resultant file, a key feature of the tool.

How to Import PST File to Thunderbird Using a Dedicated Software

Follow the steps instructed below to open a PST file in Thunderbird using the advanced approach:

Part 1 – Export to MBOX

Step 1. Click Add File in the PST to Thunderbird converter User Interface.

Step 2. Browse the PST file that you want to import into the Thunderbird account.

Step 3. Click Next to move to ‘apply filter’ section.
Step 4. Select the PST categories you want to export. The choices are Email, Calendar, Contact, Task, Notes and Journal.
Step 5. Select Apply Date Range Filter to export items from a set period. The range applies on Sent Date. Enter a Start Date and an End Date, and click Add Range and then Next.
Step 6. Select MBOX as export file format and click Next.
Step 7. Now configure MBOX settings, Create single MBOX for each pst file exports all messages from a PST file into one MBOX file. After completing it, click Next.
Step 8. Select the destination path and click Start Export.

Step 9. Click View Result to see the Output folder.

Users can navigate to the location where the resultant mailbox will be saved.

Part 2 – Import into Thunderbird

Users can import the resultant file into Thunderbird via the free ImportExportTools NG add-on. The steps to import a PST file to Thunderbird are as follows:

1. Install the add-on on your Thunderbird application, if not done already
2. Right-click on the Local Folders and select ImportExportTools NG
3. After that, select Import MBOX file
4. In the window that appears, click on the OK button and browse the MBOX file received after conversion
5. Voila! Users can now access all the PST emails in the Thunderbird application easily.

Conclusion

Thunderbird is one of the popular email applications that comes with numerous useful features. It is a standard process for users who want to switch or migrate their data to Thundebird. But first they need to convert them to MBOX format as it does not accept PST format files. The methods and tool explained are compatible with both Windows and Mac.