It is undeniable that Microsoft Outlook dominates the email market because to its extensive feature set and organized data handling. However, as everyone is aware, Outlook was created with the Microsoft Office suite and is not a free email program. Mozilla Thunderbird is the most popular free email client on the market. These days, a lot of people are switching from Outlook to Thunderbird and searching for a way to import Outlook PST into Thunderbird so they may have all of their Outlook data in Thunderbird.

We will learn about the various reasons why consumers wish to transfer Outlook emails to Thunderbird without Outlook in this article.

What Makes Moving an Outlook Data File to Thunderbird Desirable?

As they say, "Not everyone is a specialist in everything, but someone is certainly an expert in something." Microsoft Outlook is not a bad email program at all. Therefore, there are several advantages in Thunderbird, or perhaps more accurately, compelling factors to import PST to MBOX Thunderbird, these include the following –

• One of the safest formats for sensitive data is the MBOX file extension, which is used by Mozilla Thunderbird. For example, it stores a single mailbox folder in a single file called Inbox. mbox, allowing you to distribute just that folder rather than the entire mailbox if necessary.
• You have access to over 1300 free add-ons for Mozilla Thunderbird. For example, add-ons can be used to manage emails, delay sending, and modify the migration view.
• Thunderbird is a well-known and often used free email program. There are no problems for the user to utilize the program. It works with UNIX, Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

How Can I Manually Transfer My Outlook Mailbox to Thunderbird?

Let's now talk about the several methods for converting Outlook PST to Thunderbird on a fresh Windows system. Two manual methods exist for importing Outlook mail into Thunderbird. They are all discussed here; just follow the instructions and carry out the email export process.

Method 1: Convert Emails on a Single Machine from Outlook to Thunderbird

To import emails from Microsoft Outlook into Thunderbird on a single computer, use this method. If more than one PC is being used, this method will not work. Take the actions indicated below -

• On your windows computer, first select the Start button. Next, select Default
• Programs >> Make Outlook your default application. Click to make this program the default.
• After installing Thunderbird, select "Tools" and then click the Import/Export option.
• Click "Next" after selecting the radio button that appears next to "Mail." Select Outlook from the list and click the Next button.
• To complete the import procedure, select "Finish" on the new screen that appears.

Method 2: Use Google Takeout to link Thunderbird to Outlook Mail

The method described in the next section is much simpler than the one mentioned earlier. You must set up your Gmail account in Outlook in order to do this. The steps to import Outlook emails into Thunderbird are described below -

• Launch Microsoft Outlook and select File from the sidebar menu.
• Select "Add account," which opens in a new window.
• Enter all necessary data, including the user's credentials (password, email address, and username).
• Go to your Gmail profile now and select "Settings."
• Select POP/IMAP and Forwarding, then click Enable IMAP>Save the settings.
• Proceed to your Microsoft Outlook profile once more and select File.
• Your Google account is now set up to work with Microsoft Outlook. Additionally, all of your Outlook emails are viewable in your Gmail account.
• Proceed to the Google Takeout after that.
• Select the folders, such as calendars, tasks, messages, etc., that you are required to archive.
• You will receive a copy of the emails in your Gmail account after all of this. Open the zip folder that you downloaded from Gmail at this point.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

You will discover for yourself how lengthy, challenging, and intricate the manual solution may be. It is also risky and unstable to import Outlook PST files into Thunderbird manually. Your crucial data must be permanently lost due to your one mistake. But fear not—move on to the next article for another fantastic solution, the PST to MBOX Converter.

Additionally, Microsoft Outlook comes in a variety of versions, like Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and so on. Therefore, the process for exporting a mailbox may change. Simply use the below-explained technique to import Outlook PST files into Thunderbird to get over such situations.

Utilizing Third-Party Application to Import Outlook PST into Thunderbird

Two manual procedures were given in the section above, however, they are not very error-free or dependable. Transferring emails from Outlook to Thunderbird may present challenges for users. To transfer an Outlook email profile to Thunderbird without Outlook, it is preferable to use an automated program like DataVare PST to MBOX Converter. It will move the profile quickly and easily.

The end

This post explains why switching from an Outlook data file to a Thunderbird one is necessary and why doing the manual route is not the best course of action. Make sure the relocation service you choose is both affordable and professional.