Want to change from Windows 10 Desktop using Outlook to Thunderbird on new Laptop PC and want Outlook emails/contacts moved to TB
Goal: I have outlook on a windows 10 desktop with many .pst files I want to keep (emails in folders and contacts)/import into TB. I want to set up Thunderbird on a new laptop PC and use TB instead of Outlook.
I'm setting up Thunderbird first on my desktop but I don’t know how to import the outlook files – one Q&A answer says first install an older version of TB that can do the outlook import (I started this and it couldn’t find my account so I got stuck); another Q&A answer says the outlook files have to be ‘offered’ to Thunderbird and may or may not be.
Can I have human help? I’m happy to pay. Otherwise I don’t think I can figure it out and I’ll just stick with Outlook. I see someone else switched to TB and then went back to Outlook. Hmmm. I wonder why?
Thank you so much. It sure seems like a great product you offer but it's overwhelming figuring out how to get there from here.
എല്ലാ മറുപടികളും (3)
Since you posted yesterday with no response, I'll share what little I know. To my knowledge, if Outlook is installed on same PC as thunderbird, the thunderbird tools>import >import from Outlook works - but I cannot assist on that, as I do not use Outlook.
There is also a free tool to convert PST files at https://www.mailstore.com/en/products/mailstore-home/ it is two-step: you import to the tool and then export as mbox, which is thunderbird-friendly. The mbox files can be then imported to thunderbird with the addon, importexporttools NG. Just highlight 'Local Folders', rightclick and select importexport option to import mbox and select one of the converted files, Repeat process for each file.
Thank you so much! I'm finally trying this. I've tried your first paragraph approach. It sort of seems like it's working but not really - I saw it take like 10 minutes to move 50 messages in 'sent items' so it's super slow. And I don't see it moving other folders. Then when it tries to find my email account using my email address it can't find it. So I may just bag all of my old saved emails and keep them somewhere where I can at least see them, and start anew in Thunderbird. I'll try the approach in your 2nd paragraph next though. I haven't been able to set up a new email account yet either...hopefully I'll get there! I'll return with more specific questions if I really get stuck. Thanks again!
what little you know is about it David, except that Outlook is not always Outlook despite the name. Mac outlook is not anything that can be imported from, IIRC it does not even use the same PST format. Noe is the New Outlook of any use at all. It lacks the DDE parts used in the exchange I think. Like most .net products is is missing most of it's internals and is slow doing what is left.
Old outlook also has quirks, I do not claim to understand them all, but the import old imports mail and accounts that are loaded when outlook loads, so if you have archive PST files, v they are ignored. Like wise not all versions of outlook behave in quite the same way. Basically I think you are looking at outlook before about 2017 for a good import. But as I don't use Outlook the program, and have not this century, for anything but to try and test the odd Thunderbird feature I am full of ideas but really lack the ability to test or support them with data. I am not an expert in outlook for many many years, if I ever was.
You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.