Convert MBOX To Outlook From Thunderbird

In Mozilla Thunderbird, there is no in-built facility to transfer messages from MBOX to MS Outlook. However, there are certain steps following which you can open emails of Thunderbird in Outlook.

Step 1: Compact Thunderbird Folders

Even if the emails are deleted, Thunderbird keeps them on MBOX files. So, if you do not the deleted emails to be included in conversion process, then the suggested option is to compact folders. To do this, right click on the folder and click on "Compact". By doing this, the deleted messages will be permanently removed from MBOX file.

Step 2: Locate Thunderbird MBOX Files

In Mozilla Thunderbird, the emails are saved in Profile folder: The "All Mail" Folder and in the "IMAPmail" folder. Every mail folder in Thunderbird (be it sent items, inbox or any other) get stored in two types of files: First is the file with no extension; for example the Inbox which is itself a mail file, what we generally refer as MBOX. Second is the Mail Summary File with .msf extension.

Basically, MSF file do not contain the contents of an email but it is the index of every folder of Thunderbird comprising of header details and summaries.

Step 3: Convert MBOX to EML File

Now, in order to convert MBOX to EML, download an add-on called "ImportExportTools". Go to https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/ and download this add-on.

Save it on local machine and then open Thunderbird. In the Tool menu, go to 'Add-ons'

Next to the add-on search field, click on 'Install Add-on from File...'

Once the installation is complete, go to Tools menu and 'ImportExportTools' » Select 'Export All messages in the Folder' » chose the option 'EML with attachments'

Make a folder on hard drive and the messages from a specific folder of Thunderbird will be exported to selected folder with emails in EML file format.

Step 4: Import EML to Outlook Express

• Make a new folder in Outlook Express. For this, go to file menu and click 'New'>> 'Folder'. A Window will pop up.
• In the first box, enter the name of folder. Leave the second box and in the third box, chose the folder under which this new folder is to be placed. Click OK.
• In the folder where EML files are saved, open it and select the EML files to b imported to Outlook Express. Now, drag the emails and drop them to the new folder.

Step 5: Import OE Data to Outlook

In MS Outlook, users are provided with "Import and Export" option using which you can import emails of Outlook Express in Outlook.

To start up, open Outlook and in the file menu, click on 'Import and Export'.

An 'Import and Export Wizard' will pop up. Select 'Import from another program or file' and click Next

In "Import a file" dialog box, select 'Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x, or Windows Mail'

Select the folders to import from Outlook Express and ultimately the emails of Thunderbird will be available in Outlook.

When you want to Share Thunderbird Emails with Outlook Users.

When Thunderbird messages are to be shared with Outlook users, this can be made possible by: Right click on email (s) and then select "Forward as Attachment". The email will be received to the user at other end in an email with Thunderbird messages as attachments. The mails can be easily read.