Can I import emails from Outlook that I have saved in a .pst file?
I have recently moved from Outlook to Thunderbird. I have exported the mail I want to keep to .pst files. I have read several articles in this community support but can't find a clear answer. One refers to using a much older version of Thunderbird [31.8] to import and then upgrading TB after import. Other articles and contributors say this doesn't work. I have tried using the Menu command Tools > Import where Outlook comes up as an option, but when I do that and select the option to import either All or Email only, Thunderbird either closes or freezes. Thanks.
All Replies (12)
.pst files are MS specific files. You could try ownloading an older version before 38, to import and then upgrading TB after import. But Outlook must installed and set up as default email client. So you cannot simply use Tools > Import to import a .pst file, but you can import if Outlook is still install and set as default. After importing you then stop Outlook and set Thunderbird as default email client. Link to Thunderbird version 31.8.0 select your prefered language and download the Thundrebird .exe file and install.
Some helpful info: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_.pst_files Note: info at link also mentions Mozbackup - do not use it as it has not been maintained for a long time.
One method that works: In Outlook email client, you need to export outlook emails as .eml files then use an addon called ImportExportTools NG to import the .eml files into 'Local Folders' mail account.
Otherwise you need to find a program to convert the .pst file into .eml files or mbox files and import using addon extension.
ImportExportTools NG
How to install addon extension:
Thank-you. Going to try the 31.8.0 version first. Should I uninstall the current version first and then download it?
The import wizard may work better with TB 17. Other users have had success using MailStore as an intermediary.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1247226
To transfer contacts, export from Outlook as vCards and import to TB with an add-on such as CardBook.
re :Should I uninstall the current version first and then download it? Yes.
Hello Toad-Hall and sfhowes for your help. So, success in importing from outlook with TB 31.8. Thank-you. Once imported I then went to upgrade TB, which took three or four upgrades to get to the latest. But for some reason it is telling me I now have the latest version 60.9.0, but the version I installed earlier this month was 68.1.1. Any ideas? Could it be 60.9.0 is 32bit and because I was upgrading from 31.8 that's as high as I can go?
TB updating is a bit of a mess at the moment. Updating TB 60 automatically, or manually starting from Help/About TB, is disabled until 68.2, or later, is released. But you can still update 60 to 68 by downloading the full 68 installer. Also, Windows users can install a 32-bit or 64-bit version. Perhaps you installed 68.1.1 64-bit but are currently running 60.9 32-bit? They are installed in .../Program Files and .../Program Files (x86), respectively.
If you uninstall all versions, your data is unaffected in the separate, profile folder. Then, if you install the 32-bit TB 68.1.2, you will be up to date.
Thanks for this. Can I clarify - the Outlook email I successfully imported is currently sitting in folders within Local Folders - just checking I won't lose that if I uninstall and re-install latest version?
Siobhán said
Thanks for this. Can I clarify - the Outlook email I successfully imported is currently sitting in folders within Local Folders - just checking I won't lose that if I uninstall and re-install latest version?
Yes, anything in the profile folder, which includes Local Folders, is unaffected by uninstall/reinstall. Just the same, it's always advisable to back up the Thunderbird folder, both on a regular basis and before making any major change. The Thunderbird folder is located here in Windows: C:\Users\<windowsusername>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird AppData is hidden by default (File Explorer, View tab).
You can also find the profile folder, which is in the ..\Thunderbird\Profiles folder, from Help/Troubleshooting Information, click Open Folder.
Unfortunately that didn't work and I've lost the emails I'd imported from Outlook. I tried replacing the Profiles folder with the one I'd backed up, but no change - same when I replaced the full Thunderbird folder with the one I'd backed up. Although I have my most recent TB emails, it has essentially gone back to the setup - in terms of tags etc that I had with 68.1.1 the previous time I installed it. I'm going to try downloading 60.9.0 and see if that bring me back to where I was rather than have to re-do the 31.8 install, import and upgrades again.
Unfortunately that didn't work and I've lost the emails I'd imported from Outlook. I tried replacing the Profiles folder with the one I'd backed up, but no change - same when I replaced the full Thunderbird folder with the one I'd backed up. Although I have my most recent TB emails, it has essentially gone back to the setup - in terms of tags etc that I had with 68.1.1 the previous time I installed it. I'm going to try downloading 60.9.0 and see if that bring me back to where I was rather than have to re-do the 31.8 install, import and upgrades again.Siobhán said
Unfortunately that didn't work and I've lost the emails I'd imported from Outlook. I tried replacing the Profiles folder with the one I'd backed up, but no change - same when I replaced the full Thunderbird folder with the one I'd backed up. Although I have my most recent TB emails, it has essentially gone back to the setup - in terms of tags etc that I had with 68.1.1 the previous time I installed it. I'm going to try downloading 60.9.0 and see if that bring me back to where I was rather than have to re-do the 31.8 install, import and upgrades again.
OK - that has worked - so I'm back to 60.9.0 and have my Outlook emails back, so will stick with this. Thanks for all the help
re :, it has essentially gone back to the setup - in terms of tags etc that I had with 68.1.1 That sounds like it is displaying an entirely different profile which was set up as default when you initially installed 68.1.1 Did you try this to point it to look at the Help > Troubleshooting Information click on 'about:profiles' a list of profiles should show a default profile currently being used and below another profile. Under that other profile click on 'Set as default' Select 'Launch profile in new browser' (it opens in a new window) Then exit the original Thunderbird window. See some helpful info here: https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com/
Perfect - all sorted now. Back to 68.1.1 and have my outlook email. Thanks all