How to Import PST File to Thunderbird?

Summary: Are you stuck trying to import PST to Thunderbird? Outlook and Thunderbird use different file formats, but there are ways to transfer data from PST file to Thunderbird. This blog will guide you through the easiest methods to open PST files in Thunderbird. Read this blog and solve your query easily.

PST (Personal Storage Table) files are used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox data. On the other hand, Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client that supports MBOX file format and is known for its flexibility and cross-platform compatibility. If you’re switching from Outlook to Thunderbird or want to access your Outlook data in Thunderbird, you’ll need to transfer PST files.

However, since Thunderbird doesn’t support PST files directly, the process might seem tricky. But don’t worry! Just follow the instructions in this blog to solve your problem effortlessly.

In the upcoming sections, we will discuss two manual approaches to convert Outlook PST to Thunderbird. We suggest you go through these methods first and if they fail to provide the solutions to your query. Then, without a single doubt proceed to use an automated solution only to open PST in Thunderbird.

How to Open PST File in Thunderbird Manually?

You have to import PST file in MS Outlook via the Import/Export Option. After that, follow the below step-by-step guide to import emails from Outlook to Thunderbird client.

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs>>Default Programs>>Set your default programs.
   

   

2. Select Outlook, click Set this program as default and hit OK.
   

   

3. Open Thunderbird and click the Thunderbird menu.
   

   

4. Go to Tools>>Import.
   

   

5. Choose Mail and click Next.
   

   

6. Choose Outlook and click Next.
   

   

7. Click Finish and let the Thunderbird import Outlook PST data.

Please Note: This solution may not work in Thunderbird 115 edition. Also, it requires full version of MS Outlook installation. This is because in trial edition of MS Outlook, import export feature will not work.

How to Convert PST to Thunderbird? Step-by-Step Instructions

If you don’t want to use Outlook to transfer PST file into Thunderbird. Then, try an alternative way i.e., Advik PST Converter to import your PST data to Thunderbird without Outlook. This method requires three major processes, first, you need to use any automated software to convert PST to MBOX file which is the native file format of the Thunderbird client. Then, install importExportToolsNG and import MBOX file into Thunderbird.

Download and install the software and proceed with the following steps.

Here’s a detailed method to import PST file to Thunderbird using a different approach:

1. Run the software & select the PST file you want to convert. 
2. Select the required mailbox folders.
3. Choose MBOX as the output format.
4. Select your preferred location & click convert.
5. The conversion process starts; save the resultant file.
6. Open Thunderbird and click on the top-right corner to open the menu.
7. Select Add-ons and Themes and search for ImportExportTools NG.                                                       
8. Install the add-on and restart Thunderbird.
9. Then, go to the Tools menu and select ImportExportTools NG.
10. Select the file you converted from PST.
11. After the import, navigate to the Local Folders section in Thunderbird.

You will see your imported emails under the folder.

Note: These manual methods are lengthy and one single error might damage your PST file as it is prone to corruption easily.

To overcome these challenges, we suggest you go through the below methods and import PST file to Thunderbird without any issue.

How to Import PST to Thunderbird Without Outlook?

Download and install the Advik PST File Converter on your Windows computer. It allows you to copy emails from .pst file to the Thunderbird client. The software will import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook. The software will also maintain folder and sub-folder structure and email attributes as well. Thus no data loss or modification would take place.

Click on the FREE download button and analyze its working process at no cost.

Note: The demo version will let you import 25 emails from each mailbox folder of PST file to Thunderbird.

Steps to Import PST to Thunderbird Profile

Step 1. Launch software on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Click Select File(s) and add .pst file.

Step 3. Choose Thunderbird as a saving option.

Step 4. Click Convert and analyze the process.

Now, sit back and relax! The software will start copying emails from PST to Thunderbird.

Watch How to Transfer PST File to Thunderbird

Final Ending

After knowing the fact that Mozilla Thunderbird does not have the option to import PST files, we found a loophole. The manual trick is 100% workable in the older version of Thunderbird. It may or may not work in the latest edition due to various technical changes. If it does, then it’s great. If it doesn’t you can opt the professional automated software. You will be able to save your manual efforts, and time and get the results accurately.