How to Import Outlook Emails to Thunderbird?

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Written By Shayla Garza
Published On March 11th, 2026
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

Are you looking for a simple way to import Outlook emails to Thunderbird? If yes, this guide will help you transfer all your Outlook emails to Thunderbird quickly and safely.

Many users switch from Microsoft Outlook to Mozilla Thunderbird because Thunderbird is free, open-source, and supports multiple email accounts without a subscription. However, transferring emails from Outlook to Thunderbird can be confusing for beginners.

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn:

  • How to move Outlook emails to Thunderbird instantly
  • A manual method to migrate Outlook emails
  • Limitations of manual migration
  • A faster automated solution for bulk transfer

By the end of this article, you will be able to import Outlook emails, attachments, and folders into Thunderbird without losing data.

Outlook vs Thunderbird – Quick Overview

Both Outlook and Thunderbird are popular email clients used for managing emails on desktop systems. However, they serve different types of users.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a premium email client included with Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365. It offers advanced features such as:

  • Calendar integration
  • Task management
  • Exchange Server connectivity
  • Business collaboration tools

However, Outlook requires a paid subscription, which is one of the reasons many users look for alternatives.

Mozilla Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Key benefits of Thunderbird include:

  • Free to use
  • Supports unlimited email accounts
  • Lightweight and customizable
  • Strong security and privacy features
  • Offline email access

Because of these advantages, many users decide to import Outlook emails to Thunderbird.

How to Import Outlook to Thunderbird Manually?

To manually transfer emails to Thunderbird, you first need to add your webmail account to Outlook, and after that, configure the same mailing account in Thunderbird. After all these, you can move Outlook emails to Thunderbird in a native way.

Let’s know this process in detail with steps.

1. Firstly, create a new Gmail account and enable IMAP.

2. After that, open your Outlook application and go to File >> Add Account.

3. Enter your Gmail login id and click on the Connect button.

4. Click on the Manual Configuration setting and enter IMAP/POP3 Server and Port Number
IMAP Server – imap.gmail.com Port Server 993
SMPT Server – smtp.gmail.com Port Server – 587

5. Click on the Allow button to give permission to Outlook to access your Gmail emails. After that, transfer the Outlook email folders under the Gmail id label.

6. Now open your Thunderbird application and configure your Gmail account to it.

7. Click on Tool >> Account Setting.

8. Under the Action section choose Add Mail Account option.

9. Now enter your Name, Gmail Id & Password and click on the Continue button.

10. Choose IMAP (remote folders) radio button and hit on the Done button.

Now both the email application is connected with Gmail and your Gmail account has Outlook emails. Since your Gmail account is addressed to Thunderbird you can easily access all the emails that are present in your Outlook interface.

Here you import Outlook emails to Thunderbird using a manual approach. However, this native solution has certain limitations.

Drawbacks with Manual Solution

  • It takes a lot of time to perform the import process.
  • With lengthy steps, it becomes a time-consuming task.
  • A single mistake can result in data loss.
  • There is no option to import selective emails.
  • There is no guarantee that the email folder and subfolder hierarchy will be preserved.

Thus to avoid these limitations it is best to use the automated software and transfer emails from Outlook to Thunderbird account with ease.

How to Move Outlook Emails to Thunderbird Professionally?

If you want to instantly migrate Outlook 2010/ 2013/ 2016/2019 to Thunderbird account, you can use Xtarxtor software. Using this tool, one can instantly move Outlook emails to Thunderbird without any data loss. With its simple user interface, any novice user can use the software and import Outlook emails to Thunderbird without facing any errors.

Additionally, you can use the tool and export Outlook emails to another account with attachments. You can use the software and transfer emails from Outlook to various webmail accounts instantly without any data loss.

Click the free download button to explore all working steps.

download Outlook Converter

Steps to Import Outlook Emails to Thunderbird Email Client

Follow the given instructions and transfer emails from Outlook to Thunderbird profile in a few seconds.

Step 1. Install and run the software tool on your system.

Step 2. After that, select Open >> Desktop Email Client >> Outlook Account >> Configured Outlook Account.

Import Outlook Emails to Thunderbird

Step 3. Here you can view your mailbox data before transferring it.

Here you can view your mailbox data

Step 4. Click on Export and choose Thunderbird account.

Click on Export and choose Thunderbird

Step 5. If you want to move selective email folders from Outlook, then you can choose them.

Transfer Outlook Emails to Thunderbird

Step 6. In the location section, you will find the location where your Thunderbird data is saved on your system. At last, hit on the Save button to start the Outlook to Thunderbird Migration process.

Import Outlook Emails to Thunderbird

Finish! Here you import Outlook emails to Thunderbird account in a few simple steps.

Advantages of Pro-Tool Software to Transfer Emails

  • Direct Outlook to Thunderbird Migration: The software allows users to directly import Outlook emails into Thunderbird without using any intermediate application. Just add your Outlook account and export emails to Thunderbird easily.
  • Batch Email Transfer: With this tool, you can move multiple Outlook emails to Thunderbird at once. It saves time and effort when migrating large mailboxes.
  • Maintains Folder Structure: The software keeps the original folder hierarchy during the migration. Your emails, folders, and subfolders will appear in Thunderbird exactly the same as in Outlook.
  • Export Emails with Attachments: The tool transfers all Outlook emails along with attachments. No data is lost during the process.
  • Preview Before Migration: Users can preview Outlook mailbox data before starting the migration process. This helps you verify emails and select the required folders.
  • Advanced Email Filters: The software provides filter options to migrate only selected emails. You can filter emails by date, folder, or other criteria.
  • Simple User Interface: The tool has a simple and easy interface so that both technical and non-technical users can use it without difficulty.
  • Windows Compatible: The software works smoothly on all Windows versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8, and earlier versions.

Conclusion

In this blog we discuss two secure and work]kable solutions to import Outlook emails to Thunderbird account with attachments. However, with the manual method, you will face some limitations that can hamper your Outlook to Thunderbird import process. Thus we mention an automated tool that will swiftly transfer mailbox data to Thunderbird in a few simple steps without any data loss.