Users who are still using Windows Live Mail and want to transfer their emails to Thunderbird cannot directly move their mailbox. This is because Windows Live Mail and Thunderbird manage their emails differently. However, in this article, you will find ways to import emails from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird.
Mozilla Thunderbird does not have a native option to import from Windows Live Mail. Therefore, in order to move your emails, you have to first prepare your Windows Live Mail mailbox in such a way that it is compatible with the Thunderbird format. The methods to migrate your Windows Live Mail depend on how the email is available.
Windows Live Mail stores its email locally in the dedicated mail folder. By default, you will locate it in C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail. In the folder, you will find individual subfolders of your email account and mailboxes. Within these subfolders, you will find your emails in EML format that you want to transfer to your Thunderbird account.
Windows Live Mail Vs Thunderbird – Quick Comparison
To understand why users want to import emails from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird. Below are the differences between them.
| Functions | Windows Live Mail | Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Microsoft | Mozilla |
| Current Availability | Discontinued | Active |
| Email Service Type | Desktop Client | Desktop Client |
| Add Multiple Email Accounts | Supported | Supported |
| Add-ons and Extensions | Limited | Provides a wide range of add-ons. |
| Operating System | Windows OS | Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
Things to Do Before Moving from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird
- First of all, find your local WLM email data. Go to the storage directory and locate the folder.
- Copy the folder that you have located and save this copied data to another secure place. This is to protect against data loss.
- Check your WLM folders to confirm they do not contain any duplicate or unnecessary emails.
- If you are syncing the old email account, enable IMAP and note down the server settings.
- Ensure that Thunderbird has enough space to import the EML folder into it.
How to Import Emails from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird? Manual Methods
Windows Live Mail was discontinued years ago. However, it is not possible to configure the client with Thunderbird, but if you have old accounts that were synced with the WLM client, you can configure them. Many users have old email stored on a hard drive. If you want to import it into Thunderbird, you have two methods:
- The drag-and-drop method
- Professional Tool
Access Old Windows Live Account in Thunderbird
- Run the Thunderbird client and click the menu icon (≡). Then, select Account Settings.
- Select Account Actions, then the Add Mail Account option.
- Provide your name, old Windows Live Mail address, and the password. Press Continue.
- Choose IMAP and allow Thunderbird to sync the account.
This method is for when you want to sync an old account. If you have old emails on your local PC, then follow the next method.
How to Import Emails from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird by Drag & Drop Method
- Open Windows Explorer and go to this path: C:\Users[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail.
- Make sure you enable “Show hidden files and folders” in Windows settings to see the folder.
- Navigate to the folder where your EML files are contained.
- Run Thunderbird, right-click the local folders. Select New Folder.
- Name the folder Imported WLM. Select the EML files, then drag and drop them into the newly created folder in Thunderbird.
Professionally Transfer Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird
If you only have local EML files from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird. A technical tool like SysTools IMAP Import would be a great option. This software directly imports your WLM files into Thunderbird without losing original content. This software comes with a free demo that allows you to download it on Windows or macOS and start importing the files.
Guide to Professional Software
- Run the software and select EML files from the Source tab and IMAP as the destination.
- Click the Browse button to upload the folder where your Windows Live Mail EML files are stored. Click the Validate button.
- Select Thunderbird as the destination and press the Validate button.
- Add your source and destination email IDs by either fetching or manually importing. Then, click the Start Import button.
Final Words
Windows Live Mail is discontinued. It is possible that you can import its emails into Thunderbird. If you have the old account that you used in WLM, you can directly set it up in Thunderbird. But if you only have local EML folders, then you can either drag and drop them into the program or use professional software. Both are great options for importing emails from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird. Along with this, I have mentioned some points that you must do before uploading the file and the quick differences to help explain why some choose Thunderbird over Windows Live Mail.