How to Export Thunderbird Emails to Outlook [Complete Guide]

Outlook and Thunderbird both are email client software. They have their own good and positive sides. But, when it’s the question of choosing a single app, the answer is clear — Outlook.

I was a regular Thunderbird user before, and I’ve seen people often migrate to Outlook. But, before switching to Outlook, you need to export your data files and emails from Thunderbird.

Mozilla Thunderbird stores all the data, information, and mail items in the MBOX files, which Outlook doesn’t support. Nevertheless, you would expect to transfer them to Outlook without any errors or losing data.

This article will explain everything you need to know about the reason to migrate to Outlook and the methods to export the emails from Thunderbird to Outlook.

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Why Do You Need to Export Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook?

Outlook offers both free and premium versions to its users, whereas Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client. But, the term “free” comes with some limitations.

The main limitation comes in the security section. Outlook’s spam filter is much more powerful than Thunderbird. Outlook offers better security functionalities and prevents phishing attacks.

Another good reason is that Thunderbird doesn’t offer built-in calendar and task features. Outlook users know the benefits of calendars and tasks for organizing their schedules very well.

Due to the slow development, Thunderbird provides slower progress and less focus on security and stability. On the other hand, Outlook has a better security system and offers many rules to configure the workflow to make the work better and easier.

Users also get attracted by its fantastic IMAP, POP3, and Exchange Server support. It’s very natural to be enticed by Outlook for their tons of facilities. And you might want to export your emails before shifting to Outlook.

Continue reading the article to find the most effortless ways to export your emails from Thunderbird to Outlook.

Also, check out our separate post on Outlook not Marking Emails as Replied

How to Export Thunderbird Emails to Outlook?

You can migrate the Thunderbird emails to Outlook by exporting the Thunderbird EML files and using the IMAP features in your Gmail account. Users can also convert the Thunderbird MBOX data file to Outlook’s PST format using a third-party application.

Thunderbird and Outlook both offer import and export features in their application. But, there are several ways to export them to Outlook. Check out the methods to learn the procedures to export the emails in a short time.

Here are the methods to export Thunderbird emails to Outlook:

Method 1: Export EML Files

Thunderbird data files are stored in MBOX format and can be saved as EML files on your PC. You can open the EML files with Outlook and move them to your Outlook account.

The process is very effortless and can export Thunderbird emails without errors and data loss. Consider reading the steps to learn about the process.

Here are the steps to export EML files in Outlook:

Open the Thunderbird app.
Right-click on the items and tap on Save As.
Browse the location and save it.
Go to the saved location from your File Explorer.
Open the EML file with Outlook.
Tap on the Move button from the top ribbon.
Select the destination folder.

You can go to the designated folder and check for the mail items. Also, there are other ways to migrate Thunderbird emails to Outlook. Find out the process from the following methods.

Method 2: Via Gmail IMAP

IMAP or Internet Message Access Protocol helps you to give live access to your message regardless of your device and applications. Thunderbird and Outlook both have the IMAP features.

Using the IMAP options, you can use a Gmail account to export Thunderbird emails to Outlook. But, you need to enable IMAP access from the Gmail account.

Here is the way to enable IMAP access in Gmail:

Open your Gmail account.
Go to Settings.
Click on See all settings.
Navigate to Forwarding and POP/IMAP option.
Select the radio button beside Enable IMAP from IMAP Access.
Press on Save Changes.

Here are the steps to sign in to Thunderbird:

Open Thunderbird application.
Click on the Settings.
Press on Account Settings.
Click on the drop-down menu in Account Actions.
Select Add Mail Account.
Fill up your name, IMAP-enabled emails, and password.
Press on Continue.
Tap on Done after reviewing the IMAP configuration.

If you face any issue while logging in, disable the 2-step verification and enable Less secure app access. Follow the procedures below to learn about them.

Here’s a complete guide on how to add email signature in Outlook.

Here is the procedure to disable 2-step verification:

Visit the Google Security page.
Tap on the 2-step verification option.
Log in to your account.
Tap on the Turn Off button.

After disabling the 2-step verification, enable the Less secure app access.

Here is the process to enable Less secure app access:

Visit the Less secure app access page.
Enable the option.

Note: The Less secure app access won’t work if you don’t disable the 2-step verification first.

Create a new folder in your Gmail account to transfer all Thunderbird mail items.

Here are the steps to create a folder in your Gmail account:

Go to your Thunderbird apps.
Right-click on any folder on your Gmail account.
Tap on New Folder.
Give a folder name and press on Create Folder.

After successfully creating a folder, copy the mail items to the newly created folder from other folders. Check out the steps to learn about the technique.

Here are the ways to copy mail items to a folder:

Open Thunderbird application.
Go to your mail items location.
Right-click on the mail items or press the SHIFT button and tap on the mail items to select multiple items.
Press the Copy To button.
Select the email address.
Choose the folder or subfolder.

The items will be copied to the designated folder. Your IMAP Gmail account will sync the folders in other applications. Sign in to Outlook to ensure the export procedures.

Here is the procedure to sync Thunderbird folders in Outlook:

Open your Outlook apps.
Log in with the same Thunderbird account.
Wait for the apps to sync all the folders and subfolders.
Restart Outlook if the sync isn’t successful.

Copy or move the folder or items from the Thunderbird Gmail account to your Outlook account.

Here is the process for copying the folders to your Outlook account:

Go to your Outlook.
Find the folder from the right pane.
Right-click on the folder and press on Copy Folder/ Move Folder or drag and paste it to your Outlook account.

The process will successfully export your mail items from your Thunderbird to your Outlook account. You can continue the procedure to transfer single or multiple email items to Outlook.

Follow our guide on how to view message headers in Outlook.

Method 3: Using Third Party Converter

Thunderbird mails and items are stored in the MBOX format, whereas Outlook uses PST format to store the documents. Outlook can’t export MBOX files directly from the Import/Export option. That’s where a third-party converter snoops in.

There are many third-party software options for converting MBOX to PST. Export the Thunderbird mails as PST and import the file from the Import/Export options in Outlook.

But, be aware that third-party apps scan your Thunderbird emails and can be risky and harmful to your account.

Check out the easiest way to how to Recall an Email in Outlook

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Thunderbird emails stored?

Thunderbird emails are stored in Profile Folder. You can find the location from Thunderbird Menu > Help > More Troubleshooting Information > Public Folder.

Can Thunderbird export to PST?

Thunderbird can’t export data files to PST format. Instead, they export them in MBOX format.

Does Outlook support MBOX?

No, Outlook doesn’t support MBOX files directly. They need to be converted to PST format first.

Conclusions

Thunderbird is fantastic for its cross-platform support, and Outlook is great for its advanced features. Users love to use both of them for their respective unique options.

It’s alright to use only Outlook or both of them. But, the question comes when you need to transfer the Thunderbird emails to your Outlook account.

This article explains the most efficient and effortless methods to export emails to Outlook. I believe you’ve found the guide valuable and managed to transfer your mail items without difficulties.

Cheers!