Migration between Mozilla Thunderbird MS Outlook



Why User Need to Migrate Thunderbird to Outlook?

  1. Mozilla Thunderbird is an open source desktop email client used to manage multiple personal as well as business email accounts. This is a free application so we cannot claim for any data loss.
  2. Mozilla thunderbird is less secure for business purpose compare to Microsoft Outlook.
  3. Microsoft Outlook provide wide range of features for business such as: contact and calendar managers.
  4. Thunderbird uses .mbox file type to store mail account data on wer PC but this file is not accessible with Microsoft Outlook as result we need save MBOX files as PST format to migrate account from Thunderbird to Outlook.

Is there any Manual Technique to Convert from Mozilla Thunderbird to Microsoft Outlook?

Yes, we can convert and import Thunderbird messages into Outlook with manual steps. But, converting Thunderbird MBOX files to MS Outlook PST format manually is quite difficult and time consuming as it requires importing Thunderbird data into Eudora then export Eudora to Outlook Express after that we can import messages directly from Outlook Express to Microsoft Outlook. If we need to migrate multiple Thunderbird mail folders to MS Outlook then this method will take a lot of time and efforts.

Manual Techniques to Export Thunderbird MBOX Files into MS Outlook Format

To convert or export mails from Thunderbird to Outlook PST format, first we need to convert our MBOX files into EML format. After converting the files into EML format there are two more steps which we need to take care off:
  • Transferring EML files into Windows Live Mail
  • Then Exporting the WLE mails / files into Outlook.
So let’s start the step by step procedure to export mail from Thunderbird to Outlook PST format.

Step 01: MBOX To EML Conversion

In the first step we will convert our Thunderbird MBOX files into EML format:
  • Launch Mozilla Thunderbird and browse & locate the files which needs to be converted
  • Now select the emails that we want to convert. We can select multiple emails with the help of ‘Ctrl+A’
  • Now click on ‘Save as’ after right clicking on the selected emails
  • And as soon as we click on ‘Save as’ the files will be saved in EML format
Step 02: EML To Windows Live Mail
Now after the conversion of our MBOX files into EML format, in our second step we will now transfer the EML files into Windows Live Mail. However, we can transfer the EML files into many other email programs like: Windows Mail and Outlook Express. But today, we will transfer it to WLM.
  • Launch Windows Live Mail
  • Now in Windows Explorer, browse and select the folder where our EML files are stored
  • Select the EML files that we want to convert into PST format.
Note: If we have different mail folders then we have to drag and drop it one by one.
  • And after selecting the files click ‘Ok’.
And this is how, the files will be converted to Windows Live Mail.
Step 03: Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST Format
After the conversion of the files into Windows Live Mail. The last step that we need to take in conversion of mails from Thunderbird to Outlook PST format is to convert WLM files into PST format:
  • Launch Windows Live Mail
  • Go to ‘File’ – Export Emails – Email messages
  • Now select ‘Microsoft Exchange’ in the ‘Windows Live Mail
Export’ wizard and click ‘Next’
  • In the next dialog box, click ‘Ok’
  • In the ‘Choose Profile’ dialog box select Outlook from the list and click ‘Ok’
  • Now to export or convert Thunderbird MBOX files to MS Outlook format click on ‘Ok’
  • Now select the folder that we want to convert and click ‘Ok’. The folder and the files will be converted from Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST format.

Limitations Of Manual Methods To Export Mail From Thunderbird To Outlook

The process of converting emails from Thunderbird MBOX files to MS Outlook format is very lengthy and even a little bit complicated. Plus there are no sure chances that after doing all this, all our files will get converted or not. Plus this process sometimes even keep the integrity of our data on stake. So users may face loss of data and so on.
There is one major issue with this procedure and that is, during conversion of EML to Windows Live Mail user will have to repeat the same process several times for each mail folder, which can be an irritating part of the mentioned technique.

Is there any Thunderbird to Outlook Migration Software Available?

Yes, MailsDaddy MBOX to PST converter is the software that can be used to migrate account from Thunderbird to Outlook along with e-mail attachments. The software supports exporting multiple Thunderbird MBOX files to single as well as multiple PST files later we can open or import resulting PST files into MS Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007 etc.

How to Export Thunderbird Emails to Outlook by using this Tool?


  1. Download, install and launch the Mails Daddy MBOX to PST converter on our PC.
  2. Search or Browse Thunderbird folders which we want to convert and add them to software.
  3. We can preview, search or save individual messages into EML, EMLX, MSG, RTF and HTML formats.
  4. Click on the Export button, select PST from Export option and choose other required options then click on the Export button.