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How to Import PST to Thunderbird Without Outlook? Solution!

  
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On May 11th, 2024
Reading Time 8 Min Read

How to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook has become a major issue among users. The reason for this is the increasing demand for Thunderbird email applications. It has now become a very well-known platform for data storage and for the instant email function for its users.

What You Will Find Here? Hide
  1. Reasons to Import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook
  2. How to Open PST File in Thunderbird Manually?
  3. Drawbacks of Manual Methods
  4. Professional Solution to Import File to Thunderbird Without Outlook
  5. Complete Steps to Open PST File in Thunderbird Account
  6. Why Professional Tools Over Manual Methods?
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Conclusion

The main reason for using the Thunderbird email client is that it is a free desktop-based email client application. But Thunderbird supports MBOX format to store mailbox data.

“Hello, I am using Microsoft Outlook 2010 on my old computer. On that computer, I was facing many issues. So, I bought a new Windows 10 computer. On this computer, I have installed the Thunderbird email client. I have already exported PST from the old account. But the problem is how to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook. Does anyone know how to import the entire data? Please help me to resolve this issue.”

If you are one of those who want to import the entire data, then continue with the next section.

Reasons to Import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook

  • Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client, while Outlook usually costs money.
  • Thunderbird has a simple and easy-to-use interface for all users, so users can easily use it without having any errors.
  • Some people think Thunderbird is safer and respects privacy more.
  • Outlook creates only PST, MSG, and OST files, which is only compatible with Outlook while Thunderbird creates MBOX, which is compatible with multiple email clients.

5 Quick Steps to Open PST in Thunderbird

  • Step 1: Run the tool on PC.
  • Step 2: Select PST files with dual options.
  • Step 3: Choose the required folders/subfolder.
  • Step 4: Select Thunderbird as saving option.
  • Step 5: Apply the filters & select path.
  • Step 6: Get the resultant exported PST files.

How to Import PST File to Thunderbird Manually?

Here we are going to use two manual methods to accomplish this task. Read all the information first, and then follow the given steps. Both methods are mentioned below in detail.

Method 1: Using Thunderbird

  1. Open Thunderbird email client.
  2. Click on the Tools >> Import… option.
  3. Choose Import from Outlook from the list.
  4. Enter the required details (if asked).

Your account will connect in Thunderbird and now you can move emails from the connected Outlook account using the Move To key.

If this method does not work for you, follow the second method to import PST to Thunderbird. All the steps are explained below in detail.

Method 2: Using Gmail Account

Here we have to follow three steps, first, we will connect Gmail in Outlook to move emails in Gmail and then export emails as MBOX. Lastly, we will import the exported file into Thunderbird. All steps are mentioned below in detail.

Step 1: Connect Gmail Account

Important Note: Enable IMAP access and generate an app password to use while connecting the Gmail account.

  1. Open an Outlook account.
  2. Click on the File >> Add Account tab.

    Add Account

  3. Enter the login details of your Gmail account.

    Enter the login details

  4. Lastly, hit on the Finish button.

Now move your emails from your Outlook account to your connected Gmail by drag and drop process to import PST to Thunderbird.

Step 2: Export Outlook PST from Gmail as MBOX

  1. Open a Google Takeout account.
  2. Hit on the Deselect All option.

    Import MBOX Files

  3. Select the required data i.e., Mail, and click on the Next icon.

    Import MBOX Files

  4. Choose the File Size and type, Frequency, Destination, etc.

    Import MBOX Files

  5. Click on the Create Export button to start the process.

    Import MBOX Files

Now your emails will save in MBOX format. Next, we will import this file into the Thunderbird account.

Step 3: Import PST to Thunderbird as MBOX

Important Note: ImportExportTools NG must be added to the Thunderbird account.

  1. Open a Thunderbird account.
  2. Click on the Tools >> ImportExportTools NG >> Import MBOX Files option.

    Import MBOX Files

  3. Choose Import One or More MBOX Files option.

    Import One or More MBOX Files

  4. Browse the exported MBOX file and import it in Thunderbird.

    Browse the exported MBOX file

And your process – Open PST in Thunderbird account has been done. But manual methods have some limits, which all are mentioned here.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

  • Thunderbird must be installed on your system.
  • Users have to follow multiple steps to accomplish the process.
  • Also, multiple errors will appear, while connecting the accounts.

Professional Solution to Import PST to Thunderbird Without Outlook

RecoveryTools PST File Converter is one of the best utilities to import multiple files to Thunderbird instantly within a single attempt. Moreover, it does not need any kind of extra installation and can continue with the process without using Outlook.

In this article, we will explain the complete process to accomplish this task. For this, you need to download the software on your Windows computer. The software provides dual selection options for uploading multiple PST files. Also, the software provides the auto-locate feature to load Outlook configured mailbox in the interface. In the following section, we will explain the complete process of this tool.

This PST to Thunderbird Converter is free to download and also supports 20+ formats including file formats and Email Services. It exports the data in them such as PST to MSG, PST to EMLX, convert PST to PDF, imports PST to Gmail, and others.

Complete Steps to Open PST File in Thunderbird Account

  1. Firstly, you need to run the software and read all the instructions.

    run the software to import PST to Thunderbird

  2. After that, the software gives dual mode to choose PST files/folders directly from the system.

    choose PST files

  3. Thereafter, choose the required email folders from the list and click on the Next button.

    required email folders

  4. After that, select the Thunderbird option in the list of file-saving options.

    select the Thunderbird

  5. Apply the advanced filter option from the Filter Options tab to convert selective emails.

    advanced filter option

  6. Enter the destination location where you want to store your data and choose the needed options.

    destination location

  7. Thereafter, click on the Convert button to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook.

    open PST in Thunderbird

Why Professional Tools Over Manual Methods?

  • The software has a very simple and easy-to-use interface for all technical and non-technical users. It has been created with highly advanced algorithms which makes it the first choice of users.
  • If your Outlook profile is connected to the same machine, then the software will load the complete data from the default storage location automatically.
  • If you have single or multiple PST files and folders, then you can use the Select Files and Select Folders option to add data.
  • The software maintains folder hierarchy and email components while moving the data i.e., Bcc, Cc, To, From, Date, Subject, Formatting, Images, Signature, etc.
  • Also, it allows users to import selective emails from all default folders including Inbox, Sent, Draft, Important, Trash, Spam, etc.
  • Users can easily import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook installation in bulk at once without having any file size limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I open a PST file without Outlook?

    Yes, you can open your PST file without installing Outlook by using the RecoveryTools PST Viewer tool.

  • Why can’t I import PST files?

    It mostly happens, when you have a corrupt PST file to import. So first you have to repair your file using the RecoveryTools PST Repair tool. for complete information, follow the given solution page.

  • How do I extract Outlook PST files?
    1. Open your Outlook email client.
    2. Select the File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export.
    3. Choose the Export to a File option.
    4. After that, select the Outlook Data File (.pst) option.
    5. Check the folders, which you want to export.
    6. Browse the location to save the resultant data.
    7. Apply the filters and click on the Finish icon.
  • Where is my Outlook PST file located?

    Here you can follow this location to locate your PST files in different Windows:

    • Windows 10 drive:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files
    • Windows 11 drive:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files
    • Older versions of Windows drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
  • What is the size limit for Outlook PST files?

    50 GB is the size limit for Outlook PST files.

Conclusion

Hope you understand the complete process to import the data. In this article, we have explained the complete process to import PST to Thunderbird without Outlook. The above-mentioned solutions are easy to use and do not require much technical knowledge.

Moreover, among all other solutions present on the Internet, users can easily continue with this solution and carry out the needed results. You can also use the demo version of this PST to Thunderbird Converter to import the first 25 emails from each folder at once.