How to Export Thunderbird to PST File? Using Best 3 Methods

Published By Jamie Kaler

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On November 21st, 2024

Reading Time 5 Min Read

Are you on the hunt for a reliable solution to export Thunderbird to PST format? If you’ve answered “yes,” you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll provide valuable insights and step-by-step guidance for users seeking to convert Thunderbird to PST format. Stay tuned to discover the most effective methods.

PST is the preferred file format for importing and exporting in Microsoft Outlook. So, if a Mozilla Thunderbird user is willing to move to Outlook, then he should perform Thunderbird export to PST.

Both email clients are undoubtedly the top giants in the list of email clients. However, Outlook has some strong advantages that make users prefer to convert their Thunderbird files to the PST format.

Unfortunately, Thunderbird lacks connectivity with any server while Outlook allows syncing with Exchange servers allowing users to work offline. Hence, many users search for a solution to export Thunderbird to PST format and file their requests on various forums and platforms.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a multi-purpose platform that provides various services including email, RSS feeds, and instant chat. It is an open-source email client that is available for free and that can be used without much technical support. Now, the question arises what do users do to convert Thunderbird emails to PST format? Let’s find the answer!

How to Export Thunderbird Emails to PST?

Step 1: Start the Thunderbird to PST converter.
Step 2: Add your Thunderbird profile data.
Step 3: Choose the files and folders.
Step 4: Choose PST as your saving type.
Step 5: Browse the path and apply some filters.
Step 6: Click on the Convert icon to convert Thunderbird to PST file.

Why is It Necessary to Convert Thunderbird Mailbox to PST?

Outlook requires PST files; however, Thunderbird uses the MBOX file format. Exporting emails to a PST format is necessary when switching from Thunderbird to Outlook to enable easy access.
Even though Thunderbird provides backup features, exporting to PST adds another level of ease and security. PST files provide mobility and accessibility for backup needs since they are compatible with a wide range of tools and systems.
Users who manage several email accounts on various platforms may find PST useful. Consolidation into a single PST file, which enables uniform administration and simpler search across all emails, makes it possible to convert Thunderbird to PST.
Users may occasionally discover that Outlook has features or functions that they find more appealing than Thunderbird. They may make use of such capabilities while keeping their current email by exporting their Thunderbird data.
Although there are ways for recovering data in both Thunderbird and PST formats, several professional businesses are only concerned with PST file recovery. By guaranteeing compatibility with these services, exporting to PST increases the range of possible recovery scenarios.

How to Export Thunderbird to PST Format Manually?

In this article, we will describe 3 solutions to convert Thunderbird to PST, out of which 2 are free manual solutions and one is paid automatic solution. The first solution, we will learn how to complete this conversion with the help of the drag and drop method.

In the second method, we will need an email client whose name is Gmail. To use this method, you must have Gmail, Outlook, and Thunderbird email clients configured on your system. The last method is an automatic solution in which you do not have to do anything, the Thunderbird to PST converter will do everything automatically. Now let us know step by step all the solutions to export Thunderbird to PST.

Method 1: Use the Drag and Drop Method (Requires Microsoft Outlook)

This method is divided into three steps, each step has their importance. In the first step, we will export emails from Thunderbird and then move them to MS Outlook. After that, again convert them to PST format. For a better understanding, you can read the complete article:

Important Note: ImportExportToolNG add-on installation is required.

Step 1: Export Emails from Thunderbird

Open Thunderbird
Navigate to the email folder for exporting.
Choose “ImportExportTools” by right click.
Select “Export All Messages” >> “EML Format”.
After that, browse the path and hit “Save”.

For Selective Emails

Firstly, select the emails.
Right-click>> “Save Selective Messages” >> “EML Format” option.
Select the location to export Thunderbird to PST.

Step 2: Import EML File in Outlook

Create a new folder in Outlook.
Locate your exported emails & folders.
Right-click on the email.
Choose “Open With” >> “Outlook”.
And your email will open.
Choose “Move To” >> newly created folder.
Repeat the same process again and again for each email.

For converting emails to PST format, you can follow step 3, which is mentioned in the second method.

Method 2: Export Thunderbird to PST through Gmail

Why Gmail? Because it is a web-based email service that can easily connect to any desktop-based email service like Outlook and Thunderbird.

Step 1: Configure Gmail in Thunderbird

Important Note: Create an empty folder in Gmail. IMAP access and an app password is also required to connect to your Gmail account.

Open Mozilla Thunderbird.
Go to “Account Settings” from “Tools (ALT key)”.
Choose “Add Mail Account” from “Account Actions”.
Enter the app password in the password field and click “Continue” after providing your username and Gmail account ID.
Next, pick IMAP under Configuration, and then click “Done”.
In Thunderbird, the account has been correctly set up. Now, users may review all of their data.

Step 2: Move Data from Thunderbird to Configured Account

Open the folder you want to export, then select all the emails with the help of CTRL+A.
After that, right-click and then select “Move To”, then select Gmail Account’s new folder.

Step 3: Configure Similar Gmail to Outlook

Go to the “File” tab.
Hit on the “Add Account” option.
After that, hit on the “Manual Setup or Additional Server Types” option and hit on the “Next” icon.
Select the “Pop or IMAP” and “Next” options.
Provide login and server details of Gmail account like email address, app password, and mail server, and then hit on the “More Settings” option.
Next, an “Internet E-Mail Setting” screen will show, go to the “Outgoing Server” tab and check the “My Outgoing Server (SMTP) Requires Authentication” and click on the “OK” icon.
After that, head to the “Advanced” tab provide the “Incoming and Outgoing Server” details, and click on the “OK” button.
Head to the main screen of the “Add Account” and “Next” buttons.
After completing the whole process, hit the “Close” button.
Finally, click on the “Finish” button to export Thunderbird to PST format.

After successfully connection, now drag and drop the folder of Thunderbird emails from the connected account to Outlook’s folder. And then export emails by following step 4:

Step 4: Export Thunderbird Emails as PST

Firstly, log in to your Outlook account.
Head to the “File” tab from the top.
Go to the “Open & Export” option.
Then, choose “Import/Export”.
Go for the “Export to a File” option.
Enable the “Outlook Data Files (.PST)” option.
Select the dragged folder that you want to export.
Select the location using the “Browse” button.
Lastly, enable the required filters and the “Finish” button.

Method 3: Thunderbird Export to PST Using Automatic Tool

Using the best Thunderbird to PST converter one can easily convert Thunderbird to PST format. There is no doubt that there are no direct manual methods to import mailbox files from Thunderbird to PST.

Whatever method we have described so far, both methods are time taking and there is a lot of launch process in which you will have to go through many phases.

Therefore, the only possible option left for the user is to use automated tools. Currently, RecoveryTools Thunderbird Migrator is one of the best solutions to perform this task flawlessly.

Exporting Thunderbird mail to PST can prove to be a difficult task for any non-technical user. Therefore, RecoveryTools always believes in providing powerful solutions that are very easy to use with the simplest interface. Any non-technical user can use this amazing Thunderbird to PST converter to Thunderbird export to PST file format without any experience.

The software is available for both Windows and Mac computers. You can use trial versions of these apps to export up to 25 emails per folder. To complete the mailbox conversion, you will need to purchase a software key.

Download Now Purchase Now

Guide Steps for How to Export Thunderbird to PST With Screenshots

The working of this application is very easy and any user can convert MBOX to PST by using it. No Outlook installation is required for the conversion. Just follow these simple steps to accomplish this task:

Firstly, download Thunderbird to PST converter and install this application on your computer.
The software provides dual ways to load your Thunderbird profile data. If you have a Thunderbird profile configured in your system and want to migrate its data to the PST format, choose “Convert Configured Thunderbird Mailboxes data”.
- You can also add files manually by clicking on the ‘Select Folder’ or ‘Select Files’ option & browse the Thunderbird folders/files.
- You can also choose the other option to Convert the Contacts & Calendars of Thunderbird.
Now, choose the required Thunderbird items or mailbox folders in the application panel.
Select the “PST” option from the “Select Saving Option” drop-down list.
After that, choose the resultant location path to save the converted PST files easily.
Click the “Convert” button to initialize the Thunderbird export PST process.
Once the conversion process finishes successfully, access the resultant PST files from the destination folder.

Unique Features & Benefits of Professional Solutions

It is not easy for non-technical users to export Thunderbird to PST file format. To overcome this problem, users should try third-party software. The Thunderbird to PST converter provides lots of benefits such as:

The software allows you to convert not only the email text, but also export emails with attachments, calendars, and address books. It also supports other formats like converting Thunderbird to PDF, EML, MSG, etc.
The software comes with another advanced option that can easily locate your Thunderbird profile or mailbox automatically. One can select the ‘Convert Configured Thunderbird Mailboxes data’ option to auto-locate Thunderbird emails from the default location.
Throughout the conversion, the Thunderbird to PST converter preserves Thunderbird’s email folder hierarchy. The folder organization remains the same when converting Thunderbird to PST format.
Thunderbird connectivity is not necessary for the program to function throughout the converting process. It offers two manual selection methods so you may quickly choose Thunderbird mailbox files.
The Thunderbird to PST converter provides separate options to export contacts and calendars from Mozilla Thunderbird to the PST format. You can use this option to share Thunderbird Address Book with other applications.

Some Common Queries

Ques 1: Does Thunderbird support PST format directly?
Ans: No, Thunderbird doesn’t support PST format directly, it only supports MBOX format.

Ques 2: Are there risks of data loss when exporting Thunderbird to PST?
Ans: Yes, if you are using manual methods then there is a high risk of data loss.

Ques 3: How long does it take to convert Thunderbird emails to PST?
Ans: Our solution takes a few minutes to complete the process, the rest depends on the data size.

Ques 4: Can Thunderbird emails be directly imported?
Ans: No, there is no direct method to export Thunderbird to PST format except an alternate solution.

Ques 5: Can I convert multiple profiles using this tool?
Ans: Yes, the software will help you export all emails without any issues. You can easily download this Thunderbird to PST converter and complete your task.

Ques 6 Does the software automatically locate Thunderbird mailboxes?
Ans: Yes, the software provides the facility to automatically load your Thunderbird mailbox data without any issues.

Conclusion

This post tackles the external, allegedly unanswered, question: how to export Thunderbird to PST easily, accurately, and quickly. In this article we have described 3 methods to convert emails from Thunderbird to PST format, you can use any method according to your requirements.

But most experts recommend the automatic Thunderbird to PST converter because in this you get a direct solution compared to the manual solution. This makes it very easy for users to export Thunderbird emails to PST files. Simply download this utility for free from above and perform unlimited migrations. For more information, contact us via live chat or email.