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Cannot migrate Windows Live Mail 2012 to the latest revision of Thunderbird!

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  • 10 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Paul

Hi!

I am using Windows 7 and Windows Live Mail 2012 (WLM) and wish to migrate to Thunderbird.

However, I don't see any wizard to help me complete this process. I looked at the KB for ideas, but there are many differing opinions. Don't understand why there isn't a wizard to easily help me accomplish this. Guess I need a step-by-step walk-through so I can get this done with little system impact.

Any help appreciated!

TIA :)

Hi! I am using Windows 7 and Windows Live Mail 2012 (WLM) and wish to migrate to Thunderbird. However, I don't see any wizard to help me complete this process. I looked at the KB for ideas, but there are many differing opinions. Don't understand why there isn't a wizard to easily help me accomplish this. Guess I need a step-by-step walk-through so I can get this done with little system impact. Any help appreciated! TIA :)

Chosen solution

I believe WLM emails are already stored in .eml format. Fortunately, this is a format that Thunderbird can import via the ImportExportTools addon extension.

You have to get them out of the WLM application in order to import into another application eg: Thunderbird.

Although the link I gave tells you how to locate where they are stored, this info may also be useful. Windows Live Mail EML File Location: You can find its saving location as in Vista or Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 subfolders of :

  • C:\Users\user account name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail

In this folder you will see all of the WLM storage folders. Each email account will have its own group of folders. Any general storage folders that you created will under the main 'Storage Folder' item.

Sorry, I know of no 'wizard'. There is no requirement to convert anything if the emails are in .eml format. Create a folder on desktop called 'WLM exported' Copy and paste the folders containing eml files into that 'WLM exported' folder. Once they are out of WLM they are ready to import into Thunderbird.

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All Replies (7)

Good info located in the search:

Basically:

  • Create a folder on desktop eg: 'WLM eml'
  • export WLM emails as .eml files and store in 'WLM eml'
  • Create suitable folders in the 'Local Folders' mail account
  • Use 'ImportExportTools' to import the .eml files into those folders.
  • Right click on folder 'ImportexportTools > Import Messages'
  • locate the folder with the exported *.eml files
  • select .eml files and click on Open

Hey Toad-Hall -

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am aware of that KB article and will give it a go, if there are not any "wizards" available that can cut my time in half. I have many folders and subfolders to migrate.

Thus the question...

Is there a better way? Why didn't Mozilla provide for migration?

Compumind :)

Modified by Compumind

Anybody else have any ideas? :)

Chosen Solution

I believe WLM emails are already stored in .eml format. Fortunately, this is a format that Thunderbird can import via the ImportExportTools addon extension.

You have to get them out of the WLM application in order to import into another application eg: Thunderbird.

Although the link I gave tells you how to locate where they are stored, this info may also be useful. Windows Live Mail EML File Location: You can find its saving location as in Vista or Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 subfolders of :

  • C:\Users\user account name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail

In this folder you will see all of the WLM storage folders. Each email account will have its own group of folders. Any general storage folders that you created will under the main 'Storage Folder' item.

Sorry, I know of no 'wizard'. There is no requirement to convert anything if the emails are in .eml format. Create a folder on desktop called 'WLM exported' Copy and paste the folders containing eml files into that 'WLM exported' folder. Once they are out of WLM they are ready to import into Thunderbird.

ryddes

There is absolutely no need to convert anything. EML files can be imported as mentioned in the 'Chosen solution'. This question is already solved.

Do not post blatant advertising.

Toad-Hall said

ryddes There is absolutely no need to convert anything. EML files can be imported as mentioned in the 'Chosen solution'. This question is already solved. Do not post blatant advertising.

Thank you! Please lock this thread, if possible. :)

Modified by Compumind

Hi

As requested, I will be locking this thread.