Thousands of businesses use Mozilla Thunderbird for their email communication. However, in the last few years, there has been a massive shift from Thunderbird to MS Outlook as it offers better features and security.
So, if you are one of those people who are shifting from Thunderbird to Outlook, then you also need to move your Thunderbird email data to Outlook. Here are some ways that can help you read your Thunderbird emails in Windows Outlook.
How to Read Thunderbird Emails in Windows Outlook?
You need to first export the emails from Thunderbird and then import them into Windows Outlook. There are a few ways to do it, depending upon the number of emails and the time you want to put in for the process.
Note: Create a backup of your mailbox data before you move ahead with the below methods.
Method 1: Drag and Drop the Emails
You can manually select the emails and then drag and drop them into Outlook. The process involves two steps:
Step 1: Exporting your emails
- Open Thunderbird.
- Create a new folder on the Desktop to store the emails.
- Select the emails you want to export.
- Drag the emails you have chosen.
- Drop the mails in the new folder that you have created on your Desktop.
Step 2: Importing your emails
- Open Windows Outlook.
- Toggle to the folder where you want to import the emails.
- Drag and drop the new folder you created on your Desktop into the Outlook Folder.
This method is suitable for Outlook 2010 or earlier versions. Also, the process is time-consuming and there are chances of human error.
Method 2: Using IMAP
You can enable the IMAP settings in your Gmail account and then use this Gmail account to transfer emails from Thunderbird to Outlook. Steps are as follows:
- Step 1: Configure your Gmail account in Thunderbird.
- Step 2: Create a new folder in your Gmail Account.
- Step 3: Move the Thunderbird emails to this folder. All your emails will be exported to the Gmail account.
- Step 4: Open Windows Outlook.
- Step 5: Create the same Gmail account using IMAP in Windows Outlook.
- Step 6: Copy the new folder from your Gmail account to your Outlook account.
Method 3: Export Mailbox Data to MBOX File
There is another manual way to convert mailbox data from Thunderbird to Outlook. However, this is a lengthy and time-consuming process. You need to export the Thunderbird data to MBOX file and then by using Eudora and Outlook Express import it into Outlook. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Export Thunderbird data to MBOX
- Open Thunderbird.
- Click on the File button.
- Select the option Import Mailboxes.
- In the format option, select File in MBOX.
- Click on Continue.
- Save the files at a suitable destination.
- Now select MBOX Files you want to import.
- Now, select the Items which you want to import.
- Click on Done.
Now, your mailbox data from Thunderbird is imported into the MBOX file.
Step 2: Add MBOX file extension
- Add the MBOX file extension to import the file.
- Now, migrate your file to Eudora Directory. By default, the files are saved at:
C: Documents and Settings<user>Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora. - Now, open Eudora.
- Click on the renamed file twice.
- Now, close the program.
Step 3: Import the messages from Eudora
- Open Outlook Express.
- Select File from the menu.
- Click on the import tab.
- Click on Messages.
- Now select Eudora and click on Next.
- Now search for the file location for .mbx files.
- Now click on OK and then Next.
- Click Next again and then Finish.
Step 4: Import the Outlook Express Messages into MS Outlook
- Open MS Outlook.
- Toggle to the File button.
- Select Open.
- Choose the Import option.
- Choose the Import and Export Wizard.
- In the Wizard, select the option Import Internet Mail and Addresses.
- Click Next.
- Choose Outlook Express.
- Check if the Import Mail option is enabled.
- Finally, select Next.
Now, you can access your Thunderbird data in Windows Outlook.
Method 4: Use Stellar Converter for MBOX
The above methods for moving your Thunderbird emails to Outlook are time-taking, tedious, and come with risks. With the help of Third Party MBOX Converter Tool- Stellar Converter for MBOX, you will be able to import your Thunderbird mailbox data into MS Outlook in a few moments.
It converts MBOX file into PST, which you can easily import into your Outlook account. The software is free of any clutter as all the features and functions can be accessed easily.
Steps to convert MBOX file to Outlook using the software
- Select the MBOX file you need to convert.
- Check and preview the file you have selected.
- Click on convert. It may take some time depending upon the size of the file.
- Preview the converted file.
- Save the converted file.
Final Words
The methods mentioned above can help you to convert Thunderbird emails to Outlook. You can easily convert your mailbox data and access it in MS Outlook. We recommend using the Stellar Converter for MBOX for converting your MBOX file into PST.
The software easily and quickly converts MBOX file into PST without data loss. Download the software’s trial version from the official website to evaluate its functionality.