How to Import PST to Thunderbird: The Simple, Free Method

Upon leaving a company, employees receive a PST file as a backup of their entire email history. For those who don’t have Outlook installed, how will they access this PST file? The simplest approach is to import PST files into the Thunderbird email client. This article outlines two of the best and simplest techniques for importing a PST file into Thunderbird. It also introduces a professional tool, Cigati PST Converter, that automates the entire process. Moreover, it sheds light on the common scenarios in which users make this migration.

Motives to Import PST Files into Thunderbird

The PST to Thunderbird conversion is helpful during backup restorations without MS Outlook. There are several situations where users find this conversion useful:

• When users move away from Outlook, importing PST into Thunderbird helps retain their email history.
• During large-scale email migrations, PST files act as an intermediate between MS Outlook and Thunderbird. 
• With no Outlook installed, users can import their PST files into Thunderbird to revisit old emails.
• Thunderbird runs on various operating systems. Therefore, it is an ideal email client for users who want to access their PST email data on a new OS. 
• Also, when restoring PST mailbox backup, they are imported to Thunderbird for easy access and email organization.

Manual Way to Import Outlook PST to Thunderbird

In this method, we will use the Outlook email client to import PST into Thunderbird. Outlook will serve as an intermediary by exporting the PST data. 

Follow the step-by-step process to carry out the conversion:

1. First, launch the MS Outlook application.
2. Then, click on the File tab and choose Open & Export > Import/Export > Outlook Data File (.pst).
3. After that, browse and select the PST file that you wish to import. 
4. Now, again, go to File > Add Account > Manual Setup > IMAP. 
5. Next, choose an IMAP-supported email account and complete the setup process.
6. In the Outlook navigation pane, drag and drop the emails from the PST file to the IMAP account folder.
7. Then, configure the same IMAP account in Thunderbird.
8. Once added, Thunderbird will automatically download their emails. 

Limitations of the Manual Method

• The process to convert PST to Thunderbird will not work if the PST file is corrupted or damaged.
• The IMAP protocol takes several hours or even days to sync thousands of emails from PST files. 
• Also, if the internet speed is slow, IMAP syncing will become slow.

A Reliable Utility to Import PST to Thunderbird Profile

Although it is possible to import a PST file into Thunderbird manually, but is not reliable. Hence, using a reliable and trusted professional tool, the Cigati PST Converter offers better data security. The utility is engineered to transfer multiple PST files into various file types and email clients.

Here are the steps to open PST file in Thunderbird:

1. First, download and run the conversion tool on your machine.
2. Then, choose the Single File option and hit Next.
3. After that, locate and select the desired PST file using the Select File option and open it.
4. Next, from the folder tree, pick the files or folder you want to import.
5. Now, press Next and select Thunderbird from the available Email Client menu list. 
6. Lastly, configure optional settings, set the destination directory, and hit the Convert button. 

Conclusion

The PST file to Thunderbird import process is useful for users who do not have Outlook installed on their computer. For individual users, the manual way works well to import PST to Thunderbird. In contrast, the Cigati PST Converter is useful for both individuals and enterprises. It supports multiple PST file conversions simultaneously. Also, users have the ability to test the tool’s features before purchasing the premium version.

You May Also Read: Import PST to iCloud Mail

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