Convert Thunderbird to Outlook PST With Attachments Intact

Thunderbird handles multiple accounts, and it works with the standard email protocols. It offers a built-in address book to enhance the functionality. However, many users are switching from Thunderbird to Outlook because it can connect with Exchange Server and manage emails efficiently. This blog will guide users with both the manual and professional MBOX to PST Converter Tool methods to convert Thunderbird to Outlook. 

Here is one user who wants to save Thunderbird emails to Outlook efficiently and quickly without any data loss.

Lucas Query: “I recently joined a new organisation where Outlook is mandatory, but I have a large number of MBOX files in Thunderbird, including attachments. Suggest an effective way to export Thunderbird email to Outlook that maintains the original email formatting. “

Key Reasons to Save Thunderbird Email to Outlook

Before exploring the methods, let's first understand why saving Thunderbird files to Outlook PST is a better choice for users. Here I listed some common reasons:

• Thunderbird does not fully support Exchange Server and shared mailboxes.
• A large mailbox can be handled and accessed efficiently by Outlook.
• Businesses and enterprises prefer Outlook as a standard email client
• You can migrate, restore, and back up your PST file in MS Outlook.
• Additionally, Outlook offers multiple advanced features for better management.
• It handles large mailboxes more efficiently and securely.
• Thunderbird email data is easy to back up, archive, and transfer.

Methods to convert Thunderbird to Outlook

There are many ways to accomplish the conversion process. Here, we discuss two methods to convert your data.

1. Conventional Method
2. Professional Tool

Method 01: Conventional Way to Convert Thunderbird to Outlook

Manual methods are free of cost and best for users who only need to move a small number of Thunderbird emails. The methods below don’t need any external software for those users who have no technical knowledge. They may find some difficulty while using this method. This method is time-consuming and not effective for all kinds of users.

Execute the following steps of the manual method carefully:

Technique 01: Use Drag & Drop to Convert

This method is divided into two phases: implement each step to get the expected output.

Phase 1: Export Emails from Thunderbird

1. Firstly, open Thunderbird on your system.
2. Then, select the folder that contains the emails you want.
3. After that, choose the required emails.
4. Thereafter, right-click and select Save As.
5. At last, click a folder on your computer to save the emails in EML format.
   

Phase 2: Import EML Files into Outlook

1. Firstly, open Microsoft Outlook.
2. Then, create a new folder under your email account.
3. Thereafter, open the folder where EML files are saved.
4. Finally, drag and drop the EML files into the newly created Outlook folder.

Drawbacks of the Conventional Method

• It requires time to send large and multiple numbers of emails.
• Moreover, perform steps safely to avoid any mistakes.
• Also, there is a risk of files being missing during the conversion process.
• It takes excessive time to migrate large attachments.
• It does not maintain a folder hierarchy and requires an internet connection.
• It does not provide a selective mail and filter option.

Method 02: Top-Notch Solution to Convert Thunderbird to Outlook PST

The PST Converter Tool allows users to convert single or multiple MBOX files to PST and other file formats like DOCX, PDF, and JSON with a preview and a migrate emails without attachments option before conversion, and it allows users to migrate Thunderbird data to other email server clients like Import Thunderbird Emails to Gmail. To save your Thunderbird files to Outlook PST, a professional approach is the best choice. Let's see a few more advantages of a professional tool to understand:

• It ensures original formatting and privacy.
• Large MBOX files can be handled without any data loss.
• Users can save their MBOX file data into the same folder.
• It does not require any external application.
• Moreover, you can preview your emails before conversion.

Step to Convert Thunderbird Files to Outlook PST

1. Firstly, download and run the MBOX Converter Tool.
2. Then, select the MBOX Files and click Next.
3. After that, preview and select the file, and click Next.
4. Thereafter, select PST as a file format from the list.
5. Afterwards, apply the filters and set the path to save.
6. Finally, click on the Convert button to start conversion.

Difference between Outlook and Thunderbird

Feature	Outlook	Thunderbird
Cost	Comes with a paid Microsoft 365 subscription or as a licensed product	Completely free to download and use
Ownership	Developed and maintained by Microsoft	Open-source and maintained by a global community
Main purpose	Designed for email, calendar, contacts, and task management in one place	Mainly focused on sending, receiving, and organizing emails
Email file format	Uses PST and OST files to store mailbox data	Uses MBOX files to store emails
Add-ons and extensions	Limited add-ins, mostly from the Microsoft Store	Supports many add-ons for extra features
Ease of use	Simple for users already familiar with Microsoft products	Easy to use, but may need some setup for new users
Exchange support	Built-in and works smoothly with Microsoft Exchange	Limited support usually requires manual configuration
Platform support	Available on Windows, macOS, and web browsers	Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Customization	Fewer customization options	Highly customizable interface and settings
Offline access	Allows users to read and write emails offline	Also supports full offline email access
Best suited for	Business users and corporate environments	Personal users and those who prefer flexibility

Conclusion

To sum up, we have covered all the aspects of why you must convert your data. It has advanced features that save time on migration. Although the manual approach is available, it may work in limited cases. The manual approach comes with several drawbacks, which make this approach not feasible.  A professional tool helps users convert Thunderbird to Outlook without any complications. In this blog, we provided both the techniques to help you with the task.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I convert Thunderbird emails to Outlook directly?

Ans. Yes, the MBOX to PST converter tool allows you to convert Thunderbird emails to Outlook directly without the need for any external email client.

Q2. Is it possible to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook in bulk?

Ans. Yes, a professional tool has advanced features that allow bulk conversion. You can export single or multiple MBOX files at once. It also ensures the formatting of the folder structure and makes bulk conversion easier without any data loss.

Q3. Will my Thunderbird folder hierarchy remain intact in Outlook?

Ans. The MBOX to PST converter tool preserves Thunderbird folder hierarchy during conversion. All Thunderbird folders and subfolders will appear the same in the resultant PST file after the conversion.

Q4. Will my email attachments be converted along with the messages?

Ans. In the manual method, the email attachment gets altered or missed sometimes. But a professional tool can convert email attachments along with the message with accuracy.

Q5. Is technical knowledge required for converting Thunderbird emails to Outlook?

Ans. In the manual method, you require basic technical knowledge, while a professional tool is easy to understand for a non-technical user, as professional tools include easy steps.

Q6. Is an Outlook installation required to convert Thunderbird to PST?

Ans. In the manual method, you require Outlook, but a professional  MBOX to PST converter tool can create PST files without requiring Outlook to be installed on the system.