Overview: This article reveals the free procedure to convert Thunderbird MBOX files into Outlook PST or Office 365 on Mac. Additionally, we will explore the drawbacks of using a free solution and recommend you a direct way of exporting MBOX to PST/Office 365 with third-party software.
Thunderbird is a well-known free email application for Mac, Windows, and Linux users. All its data storage responsibility is taken by MBOX files. But still, a case comes where users need to open Thunderbird data in Microsoft Outlook & Office 365 program. The main issue here is both this program do not work with MBOX files. Thus, one has to move mailbox data from Thunderbird to Outlook or Office 365. For this, MBOX data to PST conversion is required.
PST data file is opened in Outlook or Office 365 account. Hence, this conversion becomes mandatory.
Why Outlook becomes a prime choice of users over Thunderbird?
Both these email clients are the top priority of users. But advanced functionality of Outlook makes it more preferable to users.
Outlook has a high level of security features and better features like anti-spam as compared to Thunderbird. Also, Outlook is very effortless and is attached with MS Office Suite. Being Microsoft’s product, it is a highly reliable email client.
Convert MBOX file to MS Outlook PST on Mac with Manual Solution
The direct manual method does not exist for Thunderbird MBOX email items to Outlook PST conversion. This solution has various stages:
- Conversion of MBOX files to EML
- Move EML data files to Windows Live Mail
- Export emails from Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST
Now, it’s time to go through the steps in detail:
Convert MBOX to EML
In the first step, we will convert Thunderbird MBOX emails into EML format so that to open EML files in Outlook.
- Start Thunderbird app and choose the folder to export
- Choose single mail or select all at once
- On selected emails, do right-click and choose Save as an option for saving emails in EML format
- In Save as a Message box, choose a folder to save the exported files and click Save
Move EML files to WLM
After MBOX files are exported into EML files, convert EML files of all email clients that include Windows Live Mail, Windows Mail, or Outlook Express.
Open Windows Live Mail. Choose a folder or create a new one.
- Open the folder having EML files.
- Select desired or all EML files to export into PST file.
- Drag & drop chosen EML files to a folder in Windows Live Mail
Repeat this procedure of drag & drop for every mail folder that you want to convert.
| Note: Moving huge emails from Thunderbird MBOX file to Outlook can be risky and it may freeze the application. Also, data corruption can happen. Thus, a professional solution is considered the best. |
Export Windows Live Mail emails to Outlook PST
Note: Installation & configuration of MS Outlook is necessary for this step.
- Open Windows Live Mail
- Choose Export Emails
- Next, choose MS Exchange.
- Hit OK when Export messages box open
- Choose Outlook
- Hit OK to continue the conversion
- Choose folders to export into MS Outlook
- Click OK
Negative Impacts of Using Free Manual Ways
By utilizing the above-disclosed manual procedure, users can finish the conversion successfully. But users may face many issues with this free solution:
- A risky and cumbersome procedure
- No affirmation of maintaining similar database structure
- Batch export is not supported by this method when converting EML files to WLM.
- It may misplace attachments after the conversion
Direct & Harmless Way of Converting Thunderbird Emails to Outlook PST on Mac
Mailvita Thunderbird to PST Converter for Mac, and examined an effortless solution to export Thunderbird mailboxes to Outlook PST on Mac in a few clicks. Also, it well supports batch operation for saving time & energy for users.
With 100% accuracy and 0% errors, Thunderbird files are conveniently moved into Outlook PST file format. Additionally, this utility takes care of all important details like attachments, email components, and folder hierarchy throughout the conversion. It well works with newer editions of Mac OS.
After getting data into the PST file, users can directly open this file in Microsoft Office 365.
Prime Features of using this direct professional tool
- Permit mass conversion of Thunderbird email items into Outlook PST file
- Safe conversion of MBOX file meta properties into PST file
- Permit conversion of MBOX emails along with attachments
- Along with Thunderbird, emails from Eudora, Apple Mail, Pocomail, Spicebird, etc. are exported into PST file format.
- Free evaluation of the program on any Mac is provided for examination of the software.
- A fully self-sufficient program for exporting Thunderbird data items into Outlook PST on Mac.
- Provide facility for exporting Thunderbird emails into single or multiple PST files.
- Provision for auto-detecting Thunderbird mailboxes to transfer into Outlook PST file.
- Desired location for choosing Outlook PST file on your Mac system
Free Trial Facility:
With the trial edition of the software, one can fully monitor this program’s functioning by conversion of the first 10 items from each folder. Once you confirm this software for your requirements, go ahead and get the licensed version.
Conclusion
Manual conversion of Thunderbird MBOX file into Outlook PST can be challenging as there is no safety of database and its originality. Because of the failure of manual Thunderbird export to PST process in marinating data integrity & providing results on time, experts come with third-party software.
With a specialized Thunderbird to MS Outlook Converter, one can harmlessly accomplish this conversion by preserving the actual folder structure. It also helps users to export all mailbox items from Thunderbird client to Outlook on Mac. Users can find this utility-friendly as well as fully safe.