Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email clients for Windows and Mac users. Outlook has so many advanced features for emails, that it is the best choice for large and small organizations. You can use Outlook with Microsoft Exchange Server and Office 365. You can also manage your calendars, meetings, and events with Outlook and MS Exchange servers. The only problem is, it comes with a price tag, however, it’s worth it.
On the other hand, Thunderbird is an open-source email client from Mozzila Firefox, offers the same features that Outlook has. Thunderbird has gained so much popularity in recent times. It is a desktop-based email client, can be used on any operating system including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Thunderbird client is managed by Mozilla Foundation, allow users to manage emails. It supports .mbox extension to save emails, which is supported by many email client
Reasons to Migrate PST to Thunderbird
For many people, using the Mozilla Thunderbird email client is a great way to communicate with others. One of the great features of the program is importing and sending an email. When you use Microsoft Outlook for accessing your email client, you are limited in the features available because of how Outlook stores your emails on their server. However, with the Mozilla Thunderbird program, you can import your PST files directly into the program.
- Thunderbird is open-source and completely free to use.
- Thunderbird is available for all the platforms
- It is reliable
- Spam Filtering
- Thunderbird provides the best security
Bonus – If you want to use any other email client then search for open source email clients. There are many other emails clients are available online to use including Thunderbird. Choose any email client according to your need and requirements.
How to Import PST Files to Mozilla Thunderbird
Why do you need to import a PST file to Thunderbird?
As we mentioned, if you are moving from Microsoft Outlook to Mozilla Thunderbird client then you will need a backup file so that you can access all your old email data in Thunderbird easily,
Microsoft’s Outlook allows you to create a backup file, which is in PST format and Thunderbird uses .mbox files. Here you will need little help.
In this article, we are going will guide you to import your Outlook PST file to Thunderbird easily.
Bonus – If you want to convert your OST files into PST format then we have a separate guide on that. Go and check our MS Office section.
You can use a manual and automatic approach for this task. We will share both methods.
Method 1: Import Outlook PST to Thunderbird (Manually)
Make sure that both Outlook and Thunderbird are running on the same device.
1. First, you have to set Outlook as a default app for sending and receiving mails. To do this, open control panel > Programs > Default Programs > Set default programs.
2. Choose Outlook > Select “Set this program as default” > click Ok.
3. Now open Thunderbird > Click on Display in Thunderbird Menu.
4. Now go to Tools > Import > Mail.
5. You can also choose Import everything. Once selected, click Next.
6. Here select Outlook and then click Next > Finish to complete the process.
These steps will import all emails from Outlook to Thunderbird. This method is very easy.
Method 2: Thunderbird PST Import plug-in
There is a plugin called, Thunderbird PST Import plug-in that allows you to import .pst files to thunderbird easily. However, it is not recommended because for many users, it is not working.
Before using this plugin, make a backup of your all Outlook email data in the .pst file. Sometimes files get corrupted in the process. So it is a good idea to keep backup.
For more information, refer to this thread – https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1154588
To Sum Up
If you have a low budget and fewer requirements, then definitely you should try Thunderbird. It is completely free and offers all email features.
We hope you got all the information, that you are looking for. If we missed anything, comment below or contact us.
