Both Outlook and Thunderbird are the desktop based email application that stores all its data like emails, contacts, calendars, task, etc. on the local machine. These two email clients have their own peculiar features which make them different from each other. Still, some people get confused in selecting the right email application from them. Outlook is mostly used in western countries but Thunderbird is still a tough competition to it. Here, In this article, we are going to discuss need, benefits, and methods to move from Outlook to Thunderbird.
Before proceeding with the steps to migrate from Outlook 2013 to Thunderbird, let’s take a look at the some of the incredible feature of Thunderbird.
- It is customizable
Mozilla Thunderbird is the only email client that provides customization. From creating our own subfolders to adding filters on incoming as well as outgoing messages, Thunderbird does it all. Thunderbird has some awesome add-ons which amplify user’s experience with this email client.
2. Multiple Tabbing
Thunderbird has the feature which allows user to open each and every email in separated tabs which is not possible in any versions of Outlook application. The tabbed window allows users to switch from one email message to other messages quickly.
3. Secure Email Messages
Mozilla Thunderbird provides the “Do Not Track” feature. This feature comes with Search the Web functionality, on the other hand, you can use it to request other that are enabled by add-ons.
4. Automated Updates
Mozilla Thunderbird is always updated automatically. The update system of Thunderbird is so advanced that it checks for the on its own. Ths system updates are available in 40 different languages and on all the operating system platforms i.e., Mac OS, Windows, and Linux.
5. Stay Ahead of Spam
Another ultimate feature of Thunderbird is that it renders a unique anti-junk filter system. All the emails or other items that are received by Thunderbird filter system is thoroughly processed before presenting it to the user. If user marked it as spam, the junk filter system will improve itself, so that no such emails are presented to the particular user.
Steps to Move from Outlook to Thunderbird
As we are already aware that Outlook stores all its data like emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, etc. in the PST file format. On the other hand, Thunderbird creates MBOX files for every item. It is not an easy task when it comes to migrating from Outlook 2013 to Thunderbird as both save data in different file format. For that, you need to convert Outlook PST to MBOX file format, so that Outlook files can easily be imported into Thunderbird.
To convert Outlook PST to MBOX, you can go for SysTools PST Converter Tool
To export mail from Outlook to Thunderbird, go for the below-mentioned steps:
1. Download the software and install it on your PC.
2. Launch SysTools PST Converter
3. Click on the “Add File” option from the navigation wizard.
4. A small dialog box will appear. Browse the PST file from your location.
5. Click on the “Add File” option
6. Scanning of PST file will start as shown below in the screenshot.
7. Now, the file is being added to the PST Converter and below you can see the added file in different views i.e., Normal Mail View, MIME View, Email Hop View, HTML View, Properties View, Message Header View, RTF View, Attachments & Hierarchical View.
8. Right click on the particular file and select the “Export” option.
9.Select the “MBOX” option
10. Select “OK”
All your PST files will be converted into MBOX. Now, you can easily import these files into Thunderbird.
More Features of SysTools PST Converter
1. Apart from converting into MBOX, the tool will convert into EML, MSG, PDF, vCard(VCF) and EMLX
2. Along with these file format, the software also converts into HTML, MHT, TXT and RTF format.
3. This PST Converter provides the option to preview every item before saving it.
4. Users can also convert Outlook items in bulk.
5. Provides the date based filter which means users can select the particular time in which they want to extract files from PST to MBOX.
6. Option to sort emails by their properties like To, From, Cc, Bcc, etc.
Conclusion
From the above blog, we can conclude that to move from Outlook to Thunderbird, users should opt for a third party tool which is SysTools PST Converter. The tool will automatically export all its items from Outlook PST to Thunderbird’s MBOX.
