How to Export Thunderbird to PST | Step-By-Step Solutions

Why Convert Thunderbird Mail to Outlook PST?

Before going through the relevant methods, let’s find the reasons behind users’ preference to import from Thunderbird to Outlook. These are:

• Outlook handles large data altogether and enables direct access to contacts, calendars, and more.
• MS Outlook has great support and connectivity with POP3, IMAP, and Exchange Server accounts.
• You get a Cache Exchange Mode with Outlook that provides offline access to the data.
• Provides great flexibility, data security, collaboration, and integration with other Microsoft services.
• Advanced features to manage PST files and streamline data management and organization.

Technical Guide to Export Thunderbird to PST

Changing email clients is definitely not an easy task, especially when they support different file formats. Like here, Thunderbird has .mbox, and Outlook only saves data in .pst. So, what needs to be done is to convert MBOX to PST to switch between these email clients. This section discusses manual methods and a professional tool for the same. Also, it elaborates on the shortfalls of the free solutions. Dive in to get a brief look at this technical guide for email migration.

Native Approach to Export Thunderbird Emails to PST

There are two ways to execute this shift between clients. These are as follows:

Method 1: Drag and Drop Thunderbird to Outlook

1. First, start Thunderbird and choose all the MBOX files you need to export.
2. Right-click and opt for Save As. Then, set the type to All Files and choose a location.
3. Additionally, give it a name and click Select Folder to export files from Thunderbird.
4. The files will be saved in EML format at the specified location.
5. Now, open Outlook and create a new folder in your profile.
6. Finally, drag and drop EML files to export Thunderbird to PST.

Note: You can also save MBOX files as EML on your PC using the Thunderbird ImportExportTool NG add-on.

Method 2: Convert Thunderbird to PST Using IMAP

1. First, sign into your Gmail account and go to All Settings.
2. There, under Forwarding and POP/IMAP, ensure that Enable IMAP is checked.
3. Further, start Thunderbird. From More, click on Account Settings.
4. There, opt to Add Mail Account from the Account Actions tab and enter Gmail credentials.
5. Click Continue and, using IMAP, complete setting up your Gmail account in Thunderbird. Hit Done.
6. Allow the necessary permissions on the browser to access Gmail, and once it completes, click Finish.
7. Now, drag and drop emails from Thunderbird to your Gmail account.
8. Later, configure the same Gmail account in MS Outlook via IMAP.
9. In the end, drag and drop emails from configured Gmail in Outlook.
10. Once you do so, the task to convert Thunderbird mail to Outlook PST is done.

What are the Shortcomings of the Manual Method?

• A time-consuming, lengthy, complex, and risky process with many steps.
• Not suitable for bulk data import from one email client to another.
• Requires numerous applications and still no guarantee for secure migration.

Top-Notch Solution to Export Thunderbird to PST

To transfer Thunderbird emails to Outlook in bulk without data loss, the SysInfo Thunderbird Backup Tool is the best choice. This efficient utility seamlessly exports Thunderbird data with complete accuracy in just no time. It does not require any external application and has an easy-to-use GUI. Additionally, the tool enables users to save backup Thunderbird emails to External Hard Drive. Moreover, it gives many other advanced features such as:

• Equipped with smart filters to customize the data before the backup.
• Provides a preview of emails and attachments of Thunderbird mailbox.
• Runs effectively on all Windows OS by any expert or beginner user.

Steps to Export Thunderbird Emails to PST

1. Install and run the Thunderbird Email Backup Tool on your computer.
2. Select your Thunderbird profile from the default options and click Next.
3. Further, preview and select mailbox folders to export and press Next.
4. Choose PST from the drop-down of Save/Backup/Migrate As.
5. Afterward, opt for additional filters and pick a Path to Save the Outlook file.
6. At last, click Convert to finish the Thunderbird to Outlook PST conversion.

Conclusion

To sum up, easily export Thunderbird to PST with any of the three solutions stated in this blog. It is a general requirement of users and, thus, needs appropriate methods for secure and successful conversion. The manual methods are a bit tiring and long. Also, there is a possibility of data manipulation or lost formatting in it. So, to overcome it, use a professional tool and migrate data without any difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Lovely Baghel

Lovely specializes in technical writing for SysInfoTools Software and has over 2 year of experience writing blogs, and articles about databases & backup, email recovery, email migration & management solutions. Her passion is researching and developing content that helps Office users, professionals, administrators, enterprises, and novices solve multiple problems.