How to Import MSG to Thunderbird in Bulk | Complete Guide

What is the Need to Open MSG File in Thunderbird?

The reasons why users export MSG files to Thunderbird are mentioned here:

• Switching email client from MS Outlook to Mozilla Thunderbird.
• Open and access Outlook messages easily without the Outlook application.
• Thunderbird has add-ons and extensions that are advantageous for users.
• Simple and easy-to-use email client as compared to MS Outlook.
• Configure several accounts together in a single place and save data in many formats.

Thus, perform MSG to Thunderbird conversion for better data management and flexibility and to keep a data backup.

Reliable Techniques to Import MSG to Thunderbird

As stated above, Thunderbird doesn’t directly support the .msg format. It supports data in .mbox and .eml formats. Thus, to view an MSG file in the Thunderbird profile, convert MSG to EML. You can seamlessly perform this via manual methods or a professional tool. These are described briefly below, along with the challenges and beneficial features encountered.

Manual Method to Convert MSG to Thunderbird

There are two ways to perform the email migration manually. First, by using Outlook and Thunderbird applications, and second, without any application. Follow the steps appropriately for best results.

Way 1: Open MSG in Thunderbird Using Applications

1. First, open the location where the MSG file is stored and right-click the file.
2. Press Open With and opt for Outlook from the options.
3. Then, the .msg file opens in Outlook. Now, go to File there and press Save As.
4. In the Save dialog, pick a location and set the Save As Type to Text Only.
5. Further, click Save to convert MSG to TXT and save it at the given location.
6. Afterward, search the TXT file and double-click it to open it with Notepad.
7. Then, click File and opt for the Save As option to reconvert it.
8. Set the File Type to All Files and pick a location. Additionally, give a name to the file ending with a .eml extension.
9. In the end, click the Save button to convert MSG (now TXT) to EML file format.
10. Now, to import MSG to Thunderbird, simply drag and drop this EML file into your Thunderbird account.
11. Or, double-click it and choose to Open With >> Thunderbird.

Way 2: Manually Import MSG Files into Thunderbird Account

An alternate solution to do this is simply by renaming the .msg extension to .eml. The steps are:

1. Right-click the MSG file and choose the Rename option.
2. Input the new name for the MSG file with .eml extension at the end.
3. Right-click the new EML file to open it with Thunderbird.

Shortcomings of the Manual Method

Despite being free, these manual methods fall short in the following:

• Users need to repeat the process again and again for many MSG files.
• Technical ability is a must to avoid data loss or alterations.
• Lengthy and requires time, and still has no guarantee of precise results.
• Needs installing both MS Outlook and Thunderbird applications.

So, it is best to find a solution that instantly transfers files in bulk within no time.

Expert Tool to Import MSG to Thunderbird

To bulk-import MSG data to Thunderbird without trouble, use the SysInfo MSG Converter Tool. It straightforwardly converts MSG into EML, as well as many other file formats, with ease. Additionally, it has no limitations on file size and provides 100% accurate results. Moreover, its simple GUI can be run on all Windows OS by any user without difficulties. Besides that, the distinctive features provided by this tool are:

• Enables previewing of message file content and attachments before conversion.
• Option to eliminate duplicates and filter data for specific periods as needed.
• Has a free demo version to convert up to 50 emails per folder at no cost.

Steps to Open MSG File in Thunderbird

1. Download and run the MSG File Converter Tool on the PC. Click Next.
2. Pick Select File or Folder and upload MSG files in the tool. Hit Next.
3. Further, preview MSG folders and select for conversion. Press Next.
4. Choose the file formats radio option and pick Thunderbird from the menu.
5. Afterward, select the filters needed. The saving location is by default set to your Thunderbird profile local folders.
6. At last, change the location (optional) and hit Convert to complete the process.

Conclusion

To sum up, importing MSG to Thunderbird is not exactly a difficult task if users have the right techniques. In this blog, we discussed three different ways in which you can perform the import easily. The manual method is a little complex and requires time and effort. So, if you have many MSG files to import at once, use the professional tool and transfer data quickly.

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About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.