Here is a summary of the top ways to export PST data file to Thunderbird. The purpose of importing PST files into Thunderbird and its solutions are explained throughout the entire article. Read this blog post through to the end if you’re looking for instructions on how to export Outlook data file to Thunderbird.
As everyone is aware, desktop email applications Thunderbird and Outlook enable users to send and receive emails for both personal and business purposes. Additionally, Thunderbird saves data with an MBOX extension, while Outlook saves data in a PST format.
The majority of the time, this occurs when a user is unsure of the proper method for transferring an Outlook data file to a Thunderbird account without having an Outlook account. So let’s get started on the Thunderbird data file import process for Outlook without spending any more time.
Outlook Data File Vs Thunderbird
PST, or personal storage table, is a file type that Outlook generates to hold all of the user’s data, including calendars, contacts, emails, tasks, notes, and journals.
Thunderbird is a free and open-source desktop email client that may be used for sending and receiving emails. Because of its many cutting-edge features, users choose it first.
Furthermore, Thunderbird is widely preferred by users due to its free nature. Not all users can afford the required subscription that Outlook requires.
Reasons to Import Outlook Emails to Mozilla Thunderbird
- Outlook is typically a paid email program; Thunderbird is an open-source, free email client.
- All users will find Thunderbird’s interface to be straightforward and error-free, making it an easy tool to use.
- Some believe that Thunderbird respects privacy more and is safer.
- Outlook can only produce PST, MSG, and OST files, which are exclusive to Outlook;
- Thunderbird can produce MBOX files, which can be opened by other email clients.
How to Export Outlook Data File to Thunderbird Manually?
Outlook mail migration to Thunderbird client is more difficult than it first appears. There isn’t a straightforward way to import Outlook PST files in Thunderbird. Therefore, the PST to MBOX file format conversion is the only way to migrate Outlook to Thunderbird.
There are various manual and automatic methods for converting PST files to MBOX files. The most often used manual methods for exporting Outlook emails to Thunderbird are enumerated here.
#1. Import Outlook Mailbox from PST to Thunderbird
You may import Outlook emails into Thunderbird with ease if Thunderbird and Outlook are both installed on the same computer. Simply take the actions listed below:
- First, set up Outlook as your go-to application for sending and receiving emails. Click Default applications >> Set your default applications after selecting the Start button.
- Click Set this software as default after selecting Outlook from the Programs menu. To save the changes, click OK after that.
- Click the Display the Thunderbird Menu option after starting Thunderbird.
- Select Import under Tools.
- Choose Mail or click Next after selecting the Import Everything option.
- Click Next after selecting Outlook as the file type.
- To finish the import procedure, click the Finish button in the last window.
By doing this, all emails from the Outlook email client will be imported into the Thunderbird interface.
#2. Move Outlook PST File to MBOX via Google Takeout
In order to use this method, you must first configure your Gmail account in Outlook and then export emails from Outlook to Gmail. Then, using Google Takeout, the PST to Thunderbird migration is completed. The following describes the method’s step-by-step implementation process:
Go to Settings >> Forwarding and POP/IMAP after logging into your Gmail account, then choose the “Enable IMAP” radio button.
Open Outlook and select File > Add Account. Step Three: After entering your Gmail login information, press Enter.
You have modified the IMAP settings for Gmail, and Outlook is now set up to use it.
After setting up Gmail ID, create a new folder and transfer the needed Outlook emails to it.
Now, open Google Takeout by logging into your Gmail account with Chrome or any other reliable browser (https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout).
Select the Mail option only and deselect all other options from the Select data to include tab. In the All Mail data included category, be sure to check the Include all message in mail option. Once the required adjustments have been made, click Next.
Select the Export type, File type & size, Delivery method, then click the Create archive button in the Customize archive format tab.
Once Google has created your archive, you can download the ZIP file that contains the Outlook data in MBOX file format. To save the ZIP file to your local computer, click the Download button.
Extract the ZIP file that you downloaded into a convenient place now. All of your emails, spam and junk, are included in the MBOX file that you will receive.
Lastly, open Thunderbird email software and import the downloaded MBOX file.
Note: In order to import files into Thunderbird, an add-on feature must be installed. To import files, download and install the Add-on ExportImportTool, then restart Thunderbird.
If these laborious native techniques are not working for you, consider importing PST files into Thunderbird using an automated third-party CubexSoft PST to MBOX Converter.
An effective program that facilitates the migration of all PST file data to Thunderbird and other MBOX email client software is CubexSoft PST Converter.
