This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Wo archive tread sia. Meɖekuku bia biabia yeye ne ehia kpeɖeŋu.

Can my Outlook folders import into Thunderbird?

jayhov
jayhov
more options

I had used Outlook Express for years; and there have been a number of changes, the latest being not-so-appealing to me. We use Thunderbird at work, and I like it. If I use Thunderbird for my personal email, will I be able to import/migrate years of folders and messages from Outlook to my personal Thunderbird account? Thanks, Jay

I had used Outlook Express for years; and there have been a number of changes, the latest being not-so-appealing to me. We use Thunderbird at work, and I like it. If I use Thunderbird for my personal email, will I be able to import/migrate years of folders and messages from Outlook to my personal Thunderbird account? Thanks, Jay

All Replies (1)

amanchesterman
amanchesterman
more options

If the account you have in Outlook is an IMAP account, then when you create that account in Thunderbird all the messages and folders should simply appear: in an IMAP account they are stored on the server and only copies are kept on your machine. If the messages are from a POP account and not on the server anymore, then the simplest way to get them on to Thunderbird is: - open a new IMAP account with a free email provider - copy the messages into that account - install Thunderbird with that account. In theory you can transfer messages to Thunderbird, at least from older versions of Outlook, but it's a cumbersome process and involves installing other software: transfer via an IMAP server is usually recommended.