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Migrating Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird

  • 1 reply
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  • Last reply by Nemo2000

Nemo2000
Nemo2000
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I am running Windows Live Mail (WLM) on Windows 10 and trying - but failing - to migrate my message store to Thunderbird. I have vast numbers of WLM messages stored in a structure of Local Folders which I wish to retain. I would prefer if possible to import the folders structure into Thunderbird rather than take the very long (and frequently failing) process of exporting all the WLM messages (into what format?).

I installed Thunderbird a few months ago and added the ImportExportTools NG add-on. However the 'Import from folder' option was always greyed-out for some reason. Having started to test this again I updated Thunderbird, but now have Ver 102 for which there is no updated NG tool :-( Various web sources suggest to download an earlier version of Thunderbird (eg 91) from the web - but where??? I can't find anything to download other than the latest version.

I've used Thunderbird in the past and want to use it again, but having read every help info and thread that I can find about the migration problem, I've yet to find a solution which actually works. Can anyone help please? I can't simply abandon about 10 years of mail messages, but I'm moving to a new Windows 11 PC in due course so I want to get off WLM first.

Thanks!

I am running Windows Live Mail (WLM) on Windows 10 and trying - but failing - to migrate my message store to Thunderbird. I have vast numbers of WLM messages stored in a structure of Local Folders which I wish to retain. I would prefer if possible to import the folders structure into Thunderbird rather than take the very long (and frequently failing) process of exporting all the WLM messages (into what format?). I installed Thunderbird a few months ago and added the ImportExportTools NG add-on. However the 'Import from folder' option was always greyed-out for some reason. Having started to test this again I updated Thunderbird, but now have Ver 102 for which there is no updated NG tool :-( Various web sources suggest to download an earlier version of Thunderbird (eg 91) from the web - but where??? I can't find anything to download other than the latest version. I've used Thunderbird in the past and want to use it again, but having read every help info and thread that I can find about the migration problem, I've yet to find a solution which actually works. Can anyone help please? I can't simply abandon about 10 years of mail messages, but I'm moving to a new Windows 11 PC in due course so I want to get off WLM first. Thanks!

All Replies (1)

Nemo2000
Nemo2000 Question owner
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Meanwhile....

I have come across something called 'bitrecover windows live-mail converter wizard' which would appear to be ideal for the job, having done a quick test and established that it recognised my WLM Folder Structure etc with no problem at all. Anyone here used that?

However the download /appears/ to be a free limited trial version only, but I can't find a UK full version download that will take GBP payment rather than USD.