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.

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

Can't import my E-mails from Windows live mail because the import/export download won't open to install

  • 17 ŋuɖoɖowo
  • 1 masɔmasɔ sia le esi
  • 6 views
  • Nuɖoɖo mlɔetɔ Terry

more options

I have downloaded Thunderbird just but cannot get my e-mails imported from Windows Live mail because the download of import/export which was recommended will not open so that I can install it and use it. Can anyone help?

I have downloaded Thunderbird just but cannot get my e-mails imported from Windows Live mail because the download of import/export which was recommended will not open so that I can install it and use it. Can anyone help?

Ŋuɖoɖo si wotia

English isn't my native language so I apologize if I was unclear. With stand on I meant mark and the only time I could get the alternative to import from directory and its sub-directory to be greyed out was if I marked an account-name instead of a folder,

Xle ŋuɖoɖo sia le goya me 👍 0

All Replies (17)

more options

In thunderbird goto add ons Click on the gear at the top choose "install add-on from file" locate your downloaded xpi-file, ImportExportTool ????? .xpi

more options

I cannot see a "gear" at the top or anywhere?

more options

Have you opened ADD-ONS ?

more options

My add-ons have a three horizontal parallel bars icon, still no "gear". Was there something in add-ons that I should try, there is no "install add-on from file? I have tried "import" but it doesn't work

more options

Are you saying you don't have that little button to the left of "search all add-ons"? You may not have that exact icon if you aren't using Windows, or if you are using a theme.

Another method is to drag and drop the xpi file you downloaded onto the Add-ons window.

more options

I still wonder if you have open ADD-ONS If not click on the tree bar-icon and open it

more options

I have opened add-ons in the past but there are no add-ons for importing e-mails. Did you want me to do something else when add-ons are open? Someone suggested dragging and dropping the saved e-mail file into add-ons, presumably when add-ons are open?

more options
  • Have you downloaded ImportExportTools-3.2.5.xpi and saved it?
  • Have you open Add-ons in Thunderbird and clicked on the gear?
  • Have you choose to install from file?
  • Have you found and selected your saved ImportExportTools-3.2.5.xpi?
  • Have you restarted Thunderbird?

(or as suggested dragged and dropped ImportExportTools-3.2.5.xpi into the add-ons-pane) Then you would have a new entrance in TOOLS or if you right click in folder-pane, ImportExportTools

more options

I think I have made progressI have saved the import/export file and it asked to be installed. I did that then restarted Thunderbirds and on the tool flap I now have import/export as an option, thanks for that help. I have my emails saved on the desktop, which option do I chose to get them, is it import mbox file or import profile? Thanks for your help so far.

more options

I notice in the Mozilla instructions for migrating that it says to import from all directories. I do not have that option.

more options

See image

more options

On mine the Import images from a directory is greyed out and will not respond.

more options

The only way I could repeat that is when I stand on a account-name and not on a folder

more options

I don't understand?

more options

Ɖɔɖɔɖo si wotia

English isn't my native language so I apologize if I was unclear. With stand on I meant mark and the only time I could get the alternative to import from directory and its sub-directory to be greyed out was if I marked an account-name instead of a folder,

more options

Oh I See, thanks for that I'll try that but I have probably thought of another way round getting my e-mails as there are relatively few that I need to keep, others can just be deleted. I will let you know.

more options

It Worked, thank you very much for your help. I couldn't have done it without it. By the way, your English is excellent! My other method which I thought of was to simply send any important e-mails to myself and pick them up in Thunderbird. Thanks again for your help.