How to Move Emails and Contacts from Thunderbird to Outlook

In recent years, the user base of MS Outlook application has grown exponentially and continues to expand further. Not only new users but even users of other big email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird have been shifting to Outlook platform. So after analyzing the requirements of such users, we are here with the simplest of ways to Move Emails and contacts from Thunderbird to Outlook.

Be certain that you will not lose even one bit of data by following the instructions in this article. There are technicalities which incorporates this entire scenario. So let us start with them first.

Read further to know more.

Technicalities Involving Thunderbird Database Migration to Outlook

In order to move the address book and emails into Outlook from Thunderbird email client, there are certain technical terms whose basic knowledge is required. These are:

• Both contacts and emails needs to be exported separately. There is no means by which they can be moved as a single entity.
• Thunderbird email client uses MBOX format to store its emails and attachments. Whereas, MS Outlook saves its mailbox contents in PST file format. So the MBOX files must be converted to PST for moving Thunderbird mail into Outlook application.
• When it comes to contacts, both Thunderbird and MS Outlook supports Comma Separated Values(CSV) file. Hence, in order to move contacts from Thunderbird to Outlook, users require to export Thunderbird address book in CSV file then Import it in Outlook application.

How to Move Emails and Contacts from Thunderbird to Outlook

We will be dividing this section in four separate segments: For better explanation of all the steps involved in import and export of Thunderbird address books and emails into Microsoft Outlook. Since each process is separate from each other, let us provide them in an ordered way as below:

Export Process:

• Firstly, Export Thunderbird address book contacts as CSV files
• Then, Convert Thunderbird emails to Outlook PST format

Import Process:

• Now, Move Thunderbird contacts into Outlook
• Afterward, import mail from Thunderbird to Outlook

Now let us discuss each of these processes in detail in the next section.

Export contacts from Thunderbird email client in CSV format

In this segment, we will be focusing on extracting the address book contacts of Thunderbird email client. Follow the stepwise guide carefully.

• Run the Thunderbird email client
• Navigate to Tools and click on Address Book (or press Ctrl+ Shift+B key)
• Select the address book to export from the navigation pane
• Now, go to Tools and click on Export option
• Select the storage location where you want to save the thunderbird contacts
• Rename the file if you want and ensure that the file type is Comma Separated UTF-8
• Finally click on Save button
• All your contacts will be saved in CSV file format at your preferred location.

Note: If you selected All Address books to export, then you will get separate save options for each address book within your Thunderbird application.

Export Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook PST format

Since we don’t want any sort of data loss, broken images or other risk factors during the process. We will be using the most effective software for this task.

• Install and run Best MBOX to PST Converter. Click Add File
• Click on Next after selecting Thunderbird and Default Profile Configured options
• Choose the Thunderbird account(or just check all) from which you want to export emails
• Preview all the emails and attachments inside software pane. Click Export
• Choose the Export type as PST along with destination location. Press Export
• All Thunderbird emails will be saved at the preferred storage in PST format.

Note: The tool has multiple advance options for user ease such as splitting feature, naming convention, selective email/file conversion, etc.

Move Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook

In the previous segments, we saved the contacts in CSV format. Now its time to import them in MS Outlook. Follow the procedure given below:

• Open the MS Outlook application

• In the main menu, navigate to File -> Open -> Import

• Here, select the Import from another program or file option and proceed by clicking Next button

• Now, from the given list, select the Comma Separated Values(Windows) option and press the Next button

• Locate the Thunderbird CSV files created earlier and select relevant radio button of your choice. Click Next

• Set Contacts as the destination folder in which the CSV file will get imported

• Optionally, press the Map Custom Fields button to set the appropriate relation between contact fields of Thunderbird and Outlook.

• Hit the Finish button. The import process will be shown. Once finished, contacts will be created in the Outlook application.

Move Mail from Thunderbird to Outlook

Earlier we created a PST file containing all emails and attachments of Thunderbird. In this segment, we will be importing that PST into Microsoft Outlook.

• In MS Outlook, go to File menu

• Select the Open & Export link click on Import/Export option

(For Outlook 2010, go to File, then Open, then Import)

• An Import and Export Wizard window will open. Select import from another program or file and press Next

• Now, choose the Outlook Data File(.pst) option and press the Next button

• Browse the location of the previously created PST File and choose from the radio buttons what exactly you want to happen to the duplicate items.

(Allow duplicates to be created if you are unsure about the options)

• In the next window, checkmark the Include subfolders option

• Hit the Finish button. This will import all the PST mails in Outlook profile.

Completion of this segment signifies the end of entire procedure. All the Thunderbird emails and contacts will be moved without any hassle into the Outlook application.

Closing Lines

The article incorporates everything a user needs to know how to Move Emails and contacts from Thunderbird to Outlook. Separately export emails and address book from Thunderbird using the provided methods. Afterward Move Emails and contacts into Outlook (all versions) without any hassle. Follow the procedure and let go of all your concerns regarding exporting the Thunderbird emails and contacts into Microsoft Outlook platform.