How to Migrate Mailbox emails from Thunderbird to MS Outlook - 2025

This article explores the most effective strategies for securely migrating Thunderbird data to Outlook. Please make sure you read the entire content for accurate and high-quality results.

Mozilla Thunderbird can be considered one of the most prominent email applications. All Thunderbird data is stored in the User Identity Profile folder or user-specified location. However, there are instances where the Thunderbird email client may stop working due to software bugs, viruses, or unexpected glitches. This results in the mailbox being damaged every time an error occurs. This can result in data loss or corruption within Thunderbird.

On the other hand, Microsoft Outlook is a leading email client that stores data in PST format. Microsoft Outlook also provides many functionalities that are not available in the Thunderbird application. Therefore, importing Thunderbird emails in Outlook 2016, 2013, or 2010 is required for most Thunderbird client users.

Reasons behind Switching from Thunderbird to MS Outlook?

Outlook is a popular email program that was created by Microsoft. It is known for its user interface. Strong security measures Fast synchronization capabilities and sophisticated features, Outlook is also compatible with SharePoint and Microsoft Exchange Server. Many users are switching from Thunderbird to MS Outlook to enjoy these benefits.

How to Move emails from Thunderbird to Outlook?

Below are several methods or alternative solutions that can help you transfer Thunderbird mailbox items to Microsoft Outlook.

Import Thunderbird to MS Outlook for free

A comprehensive set of instructions is organized into different steps.

To integrate Thunderbird mail with the Outlook application, you must first configure your Gmail account within Mozilla Thunderbird using IMAP settings. Keep in mind that if your data set is large, It may take several days to complete the process.

Step 1: To add an email client account via IMAP

To transfer emails from Thunderbird to MS Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, etc., follow the instructions below. Although any web application, however, it can be used in this process. But we will choose Gmail as our preferred option.

1. First, connect your Thunderbird account to Gmail, then follow these steps to enable the IMAP option in Gmail:

• Sign in to your Gmail account.
• Click the gear icon on the Gmail page to open Gmail settings.
• Select Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
• Select the Enable IMAP option.
• Configure your IMAP account.
• Finally, select the Save Changes option.

2. Next, open the Thunderbird application from your device. Go to Tools and select Account Settings. Please go to the "Choose Account" menu, then go to "Actions" followed by "Add Mail Account". Next, please provide your name, email address, and password to create a Thunderbird account. Please select the option "Continue" to go to the next step.

3. Next, enable the IMAP checkbox and proceed with the manual configuration process.

4. Next, enter all the required information in the Inbound and Outbound sections.

5. Next, if all fields are filled in correctly. Please click the retest icon. Now the work will be finished. Then select the Create new account option.

6. Open your Thunderbird profile and you can start using your Gmail account.

7. Then transfer messages from Thunderbird to the specified Gmail profile.

Step 2: Reconfigure IMAP in Microsoft Outlook

After configuring Thunderbird with a Gmail account, now you need to set up a Microsoft Outlook profile with Gmail configuration. So, follow these steps to import Thunderbird mail on Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013 which are given below:

1. First, go to the File menu and click Add Account.
2. Then a dialog box will pop up. Select the option – Manually Choose the option to manually specify more server types or server configurations. Click on the next button
3. Then select the internet email option and click on the next button.
4. Please enter your name, email address, and password in the dialog box provided.
5. Go to the Account Type section and select the IMAP option for your IMAP email account.
6. Now enter imap.gmail.com. For the incoming server and smtp.gmail.com for the outgoing server Then select the option "Additional settings"
7. Authentication is required for the Outgoing Server (SMTP) selection.
8. Next, select Use the same settings as my incoming server. And enter port number 993/995 in the Incoming Server Port field.
9. Select the This server requires an encrypted connection option. For IMAP email accounts, configure the encryption type to SSL.
10. In this step, please enter port number 587 or 465 in the Outgoing Server Port field, then configure the encryption type to TLS and select the OK button.
11. Please select an option. To confirm the account setup, select "Test Account Settings".
12. Finally, you will receive a notification saying: "Your account settings are correct" and then click the Next button to close the message window. All files are efficiently transferred to Microsoft Outlook.

Expert Way to Migrate Thunderbird Emails into MS Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, etc

The above-mentioned manual procedure is lengthy and time-consuming. As a result, many users are looking for a reliable automated solution to overcome the limits of manual procedures. Users are advised to utilize reputable software, such as Softaken Thunderbird to Outlook Converter Software. It allows you to migrate Thunderbird emails to Outlook both in bulk and selectively.

The program can migrate from Thunderbird email client to Outlook email client 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003, along with their attachments. In addition, it will keep the folder hierarchy and data integrity after the conversion.

Steps for importing Thunderbird Mail to Outlook

1. Run the Thunderbird Converter on your desktop.
2. Click 'Add File' and choose 'Thunderbird'.
3. Select the Thunderbird account you want to import into Outlook.
4. To convert Thunderbird to PST, select 'PST' and hit the 'Export' button.
5. Import PST files into Outlook by clicking File > Open & Export.

Conclusion

There are numerous benefits to using Outlook as an email application, thus clients are looking for a way to import Thunderbird messages to Outlook. We have mentioned both manual and automatic processes here to meet the needs of the users. However, it is recommended that you utilize a reliable or trusted tool that provides a great, simple, and rapid solution for importing Thunderbird files into Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and any previous versions.