How to Export Thunderbird to PST: 3 Ways (With & Without Outlook)
Quick Answer: Thunderbird does not provide a direct or one click option to export its mailbox to Outlook PST file. Thunderbird commonly stores local email data in mailbox files, while Outlook uses PST. You can export Thunderbird emails to PST using a free/manual approach, an Outlook-based workaround or a dedicated Thunderbird to PST converter. If you specifically need to create a PST without Outlook, use an Outlook-free conversion method.
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Mozilla Thunderbird commonly it’s email data in a MBOX file format, while Microsoft Outlook stores mailbox data in PST files. Outlook cannot open Thunderbird mailbox files directly, so users often need to convert Thunderbird emails to PST. It is commonly needed when you need to transfer Thunderbird to Outlook, Microsoft 365, or other Outlook-based environment.
In most cases, Thunderbird to PST conversion is required when migrating from Thunderbird to MS Outlook, to create a compatible Outlook archive, merging email accounts, or transferring mailbox data to an Outlook based environment such as Microsoft 365.
The best approach will depend on the size of your mailbox, no matter you have Outlook or not whether Gmail can be used as an intermediary and whether you want a free or automated solution.
Why Export Thunderbird Emails to PST File Format?
There are various reasons for users to convert Thunderbird emails to PST:
- Migrating from Thunderbird to Microsoft Outlook.
- Transfer mailbox data to Microsoft 365.
- To backup Thunderbird emails in Outlook PST file.
- Long term storage of archived emails
- Keep email discussions important.
- Keep attachments and the emails metadata.
- Combine several email accounts into Outlook.
- Meet business or compliance archiving needs.
Real World Scenario
When researching Thunderbird to PST migration, we found users asking how to archive years of Thunderbird email in PST format on the Reddit platform. One Thunderbird user had collected almost 8 GB of business emails in 10 years and needed to submit to an email archive provide that only accepted PST files. Thunderbird stores emails in MBOX format and doesn’t provide a native option to export PST, so the user was searching for a practical way to convert mailbox data while keeping things like folders, attachments and historical email records intact without any modification. This is a typical scenario for users who are migrating to Outlook, Microsoft 365 or other third-party email archiving solutions.
Methods to Convert Thunderbird Emails to PST
There are three practical approaches that you can consider;
#1. Save Thunderbird emails as EML and create a PST via Outlook
#2. Use Gmail as an intermediate mailbox and export through Outlook
#3. Use a dedicated Thunderbird to PST converter
The first two approaches requires Outlook and third approach is designed for users who want a direct Thunderbird to PST conversion without using Outlook.
Quick Method Comparison
Method 1. Export Thunderbird Mail into Outlook PST File via Drag & Drop
This method includes three major parts, such as that, first you need to export Thunderbird messages as EML files, then import them into Outlook and lastly export Outlook folder as a PST file.
It is suitable when you have a relatively small number of emails and already have Outlook.
Step 1. Launch the Thunderbird application on your system.
Step 2. Next, choose the email that you want to export.
Step 3. Right-click on it and choose Save As.
Step 4. Choose destination folder, give it a name and click the Save button.
Step 5. Thunderbird email will be saved in .eml format
IMPORTANT: New Outlook versus Classic OutlookDon’t assume the instructions for the old Outlook menu apply to every version of Outlook.
According to Microsoft’s current documentation, New Outlook for Windows supports PST export through Settings >> Files >> Export.
The traditional way is File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export, which is part of Classic Outlook.
Use the version of Outlook that supports the necessary EML handling and PST export workflow for the EML import workflow described here. If you don’t see the menu you need, make sure you’re using New Outlook, not Classic Outlook.
Step 6. Now, open MS Outlook and create a new folder.
Step 7. Drag and drop the EML file to new folder.
Step 8. Follow the same process for all exported files.
Step 9. Now, navigate to File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export.
Step 10. Choose Export to a File and click Next.
Step 11. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and press Next.
Step 12. Choose the newly created folder and click the Next button.
Step 13. Browse to the destination location and click the Finish button.
Limitations of the first method
The biggest downside is the manual work involved.
If you have hundreds or thousands of messages, saving and importing them one at a time can be very time consuming. So this is more appropriate for a few emails rather than migrating a whole Thunderbird mailbox.
Method 2. Move Thunderbird Emails to PST Using Outlook
Another manual way to export Thunderbird to Outlook PST using Gmail. In this method, you need to add your Gmail account to Thunderbird & Outlook to complete this process. So, this approach works in multiple phases.
Phase 1. Enable IMAP in Gmail
1. Log in to your Gmail account and go to Settings.
2. Click Forwarding & POP/IMAP section and Enable IMAP. (If not enabled, nowadays it is enabled by default)
3. Click on Save Changes.
Phase 2. Set up Gmail with Thunderbird
1. Now, open the Thunderbird application on your system.
2. Navigate to Tools >> Account Settings.
3. Click on Account Actions and select Add a Mail Account.
4. Enter your Gmail account login details to set up with Thunderbird.
5. Use the Drag & Drop or copy/move option to transfer Thunderbird emails to Gmail folder.
Phase 3. Add the Same Gmail Account to Outlook
1. Now, run the Outlook email client on your system.
2. Click on File >> Add Account.
3. Enter the email address of the same Gmail account and press Connect.
4. Once Outlook completes the configuration process, click on the Done button.
6. Now, a Gmail account is added to Outlook. You will have all Thunderbird emails in Outlook.
Phase 4. Export Thunderbird Emails into PST
1. Click on File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export in Outlook.
2. Choose Export to a File and click on the Next button.
3. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and press Next.
4. Choose the Gmail mailbox folder and click Next.
5. Browse the destination location and click on the Finish button.
This is how you can export Thunderbird emails to PST file.
Note: This is a lengthy and time-consuming process. Users must have technical experts to perform the process.
To avoid such situations, refer to the method explained below.
Limitations of the Gmail/IMAP method
This process is more complex than a direct conversion.
This also means your email data is flowing through a Gmail account, which may not be suitable for confidential business mail or organizations with strict data handling needs.
Other limitations are:
- Outlook required Gmail required
- Internet connection required for syncs
- Introduces some migration steps:
- Can be slow with big mail boxes
- Confirmation required after sync
- Additional attention may be required for folder mapping
Method 3. How to Convert Thunderbird to PST Professionally
Check out the Advik Thunderbird Converter Tool on your system. It will detect your Thunderbird account profile and allow you to directly export Thunderbird to Outlook PST file format. It can export the entire Thunderbird mailbox in a single attempt. Also, it allows you to choose specific folders to export. The tool maintains the complete Thunderbird mailbox folders hierarchy throughout the process.
Download the trial version of Thunderbird to PST Converter and explore its amazing features.
Steps to Export Thunderbird Mailbox to PST
Step 1. Install and run the software on your Windows computer.
Step 2. Choose the configured Thunderbird profile or mailbox data that you want to process.
Step 3. Choose email folders that you want to convert into PST file.
Step 4. Select PST from the available saving options. This commands the software to create an Outlook compatible PST file.
Step 5. If you do not want to convert the entire mailbox then you can also use the available filter options to specify the data you want to export.
Step 6. Choose the target location and then click the Convert button.
The software will start converting Thunderbird emails to PST file.
After completing this task, you will get the resulting data file in the destination location.
In this way, Thunderbird export emails to PST format in just a few simple steps.
Watch How Thunderbird to PST Converter Works
Manual vs Automated Method Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?
| Feature | Drag & Drop | IMAP Method | Automated Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlook Required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Gmail Required | No | Yes | No |
| Bulk Export | No | Limited | Yes |
| Folder Structure | Manual | Usually Preserved | Preserved |
| Large Mailbox Support | Poor | Moderate | Excellent |
| Technical Knowledge | Moderate | High | Low |
| Multiple Accounts | No | Limited | Yes |
| Processing Speed | Slow | Moderate | Fast |
Final Words
Thunderbird saves it’s mailbox data in MBOX format while Microsoft Outlook uses PST file. Also, Outlook doesn’t support the direct import of Thunderbird mailbox files that’s why, users must convert Thunderbird emails to PST for migration.
This article has discussed three different ways including Drag & Drop, IMAP syncing and direct conversion methods. You can migrate small mailboxes using manual techniques. If you have large or multiple mailboxes then it’s only possible through an automated solution.
Select the method that suits your needs and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I export Thunderbird emails to PST without Outlook?
Ans. You can convert your Thunderbird mailbox data into PST files without using MS Outlook.
Q2. Does Thunderbird have an option to export into PST?
Ans. No, Thunderbird stores mails in MBOX format and does not have a PST export option built in.
Q3. Will attachments also transferred through the conversion?
Ans. Yes, Most conversion methods will transfer email attachments and preserve it but the results may vary according to the method that is used.
Q4. Can I convert several Thunderbird profiles at once?
Ans. Manual methods typically support one mailbox at a time. Some of the automated solutions can batch convert multiple Thunderbird profiles.
Q5. Is MBOX better than PST?
Ans. No format is superior to the other. PST is required for Outlook compatibility, while MBOX is the format most commonly used by open-source email applications.
Q6. What is the best method for large Thunderbird mailboxes?
Ans. For mailboxes with a few amount of email data, a direct conversion method is usually suggested and easy than manual migration techniques.