How to import Thunderbird to Outlook free?

Thunderbird is one of the best open-source email client developed by Mozilla foundation. With the help of this email program, the user can easily manage email, chat, news feeds, etc. It is a local email application, which means it stores all data on the local machine. Thunderbird gives users full control over email, and it also allows add-ons that help users to extend and customize the email experience. It is a complete package, but most of the people use this program for personal use. On the other hand, Outlook is preferred by most professionals.

In this post, we will discuss why you should import Thunderbird to Outlook. If you are also looking to convert thunderbird to Outlook, then this post will be useful for you.

Why should you import Thunderbird to Outlook?

Thunderbird and Outlook both are useful email clients that help users to manage email, notes, etc. and fulfill user needs. Let’s compare Thunderbird and Outlook Features.

Microsoft Outlook	Mozilla Thunderbird
Support PST file	Support MBOX
Support Exchange Server	NO
Advanced Spam filter	NO
High Security	Low Security
Provide Calendar and Task List	NO
Provide Email Scheduling Option	NO
Support Android and Windows Phone	NO

As you can see, Outlook is more superior to Thunderbird. But Outlook is a paid program. On the other hand, Thunderbird is free and open-source. But the biggest problem for Thunderbird came in 2012 when Mozilla stopped allocating money for this project. Now, Thunderbird is no more supported by its parent organization. Since then, many users import emails from Thunderbird to Outlook, and that is why you should migrate to Outlook.

How to convert Thunderbird to Outlook PST?

To import emails from Thunderbird to Outlook, you can use the manual method or third-party software. In this section, we will discuss the top 3 methods to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook 2016.

Method 1: Import emails from Thunderbird to Outlook using IMAP

In this method, first, we will configure Thunderbird to Gmail using IMAP. Once the data transfer from Thunderbird to Gmail, then we will configure Gmail to Outlook. After that, you can access all your data in Outlook.

Step 1: Enable IMAP from Gmail

Login Gmail Account.
Click on the Setting icon and select Settings from the list.
Select Forwarding and POP/ IMAP.
Enable the IMAP option and click on the Save Changes button.

Step 2: Allow Less Secure App

Go to Google Account and click on Security.
Enable less secure app.

Step 3: Thunderbird to Gmail Migration

Start Mozilla Thunderbird
Go to Tools and select Options
Click on Account Settings and select Account Actions
Select Add Mail Account and enter Name, Gmail Email, and Password
Click on Continue, select IMAP (remote folders), and click on done
Once the account setup successfully and create a New Folder using Right-click
Select Thunderbird Account and use CTRL+A to select all emails
Select Copy and choose your Gmail Account
Once the process gets completed, check your Gmail

Step 4: Gmail to Outlook Migration

Open MS Outlook
Click on File -> Account Settings -> Account Settings
From the Email tab and click on New
Enter your Name, Gmail ID, Password, Re-type Password, and click on next
Finally, click on Finish

After this process, you will get all your Thunderbird data in Outlook. This method is easy but not reliable.

Method 2: Export data from Thunderbird to Outlook using Drag and Drop

In this method, we will create a New Folder in Desktop, and we will export all messages into the folder using Drag and Drop. After that, we will open all exported EML files in Outlook.

Step 1: Export email from Thunderbird

Create a New Folder on your Desktop
Open Thunderbird
Select mail and drag and drop to move all emails from Thunderbird to a new folder.

Step 2: Import EML to Outlook

Open Outlook
Drag and drop to move all emails from folder to Outlook Folder.

This method is very easy, but if you have a large data set, then this process will take a lot of time and effort.

Method 3: Convert Thunderbird to Outlook PST using Thunderbird to PST converter

To execute this method, download and install the Thunderbird to Outlook converter full version software.

Launch the Software
Click on the Browse option and select the MBOX file
Click on the OK button to load file
Click on the Export option and select All Folders
Choose PST as an Export option
Provide the location where you want to save the export PST file
Click on the Export button
Once the process gets completed, click on the Finish button.

This solution is very effective, and it will save time and effort. With the help of this software, you can also convert MBOX files to MSG, EML, HTML, and RTF format. You can try the free version of this Thunderbird to PST converter. By using the demo version, you will save the first 20 items per folder.

Questions from the topic

Q. How to find Thunderbird data file location?

To find the thunderbird file location, follow the below mention steps.

Open thunderbird
Click on Thunderbird Menu
Click on Help and select Troubleshooting Information
Click on Open Folder, and you will get the data file location

Default location of Mozilla Thunderbird file: C:\Users\ \AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\

Q. Why do we need to convert Thunderbird to PST format?

MS Outlook does not support the Thunderbird (MBOX) file that is why we need to convert Thunderbird to Outlook supported PST file format. After that, we can access all data.

Q. How do I migrate emails from thunderbird to Outlook 2016?

To migrate emails from thunderbird to Outlook 2016, you can try manual methods or third-party Thunderbird converter software. If you have a small data set, then you can use the Drag and Drop method. In this method, you just need to drag and drop the emails to Desktop Folder. All emails will automatically convert into EML format, which you can open in MS Outlook. But, if you have a large data set, then try Thunderbird to Outlook converter tool. It will convert your data into PST format, which you can open in any Outlook version, including 2019, 2016, etc.