How to open a PST file in Thunderbird WITHOUT Outlook?
Recently, my laptop died which forced me to get a new laptop. I elected to NOT get the M$ Office subscription, deciding instead to use Thunderbird for email, and other apps for documents, etc. However, I have a ton of Outlook emails in several PST files on my backup image that I'd like to be able to see/search in TB. From what I've read so far, it seems I need to install an expensive version of Office365 anyway (to get an Outlook instance)?? Not real happy at the prospect. Any help out there? I can't believe I'm the only one with this issue.
Currently running Thunderbird 64-bit on a Windows 11 HP laptop.
Many thanks.
All Replies (6)
MailStore Home is a free app:
Thanks sfhowes. I will check it out.
Hello sfhowes - and Merry Christmas!
I finally got around to trying to archive a PST file (recovered from a backup) (your "First Picture" in the other thread), but since my new laptop does not have Outlook, MailStore will not run the archive on the PST. I get the error: "This feature requires Microsoft Outlook XP/2003 or higher." There is no Outlook on the laptop at all.
I might have an old copy somewhere that I can install, but was hoping to avoid that pain. Or, am I possibly doing something wrong?
I have tried creating an Archive Profile on both the Client/Microsoft Outlook and the E-mail Files/Microsoft Outlook PST File. Seems I get the same dialog box and answer the same questions either way.
Thanks... and I don't expect an immediate answer, with it being Christmas and all... ;-)
Many users have reported on this forum that they have managed to import Outlook mail to TB with MSH, but I can't find any that state it was done without some version of Outlook installed. So, that may very well be a requirement, just as it is with the built-in TB import (which seems to work less often). If you don't have an old copy, I understand a free 30-day trial version is available.
Follow-up.... On the MailStore website, I found where Outlook is required in order to access (and thus Archive) PST files. Dam M$....
Found a support thread on the MSH site where the OP was trying to do exactly what I am trying to do - and getting the same error: https://community.mailstore.com/en/t/cant-import-pst-file/1407
(EDIT: Just saw your reply to my earlier post. Yeah, seems to be the case. Thanks for your help - very much appreciated. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you.)
Modified by ordersw
If Outlook was still installed then the process would have been a walk in park, but now you need to either install Outlook on a free trial basis or try to find a converter tool.
Suggest you try to locate a program which can convert pst to .eml files. I've never used any and cannot verify any of these products but you could take a look at: https://www.pstwalker.com/blog/convert-pst-to-eml.html
Or this has a video guide:
Thunderbird can import .eml files. Addon ImportExportTools NG can import eml files. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-us/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/
In the 'Local Folders' mail account Right click on a suitably named folder > ImportExportTools NG > Import all messages from a directory
Modified by Toad-Hall