How to import OST to Thunderbird?

Read time 8 minutes

MS Outlook stands as a sophisticated email client, boasting an array of features and capabilities. It has gained widespread adoption among both professionals and individuals worldwide, serving as their trusted personal information manager. Organizations, in particular, favor Outlook due to its robust security and confidentiality features.

However, Thunderbird remains a compelling alternative to Outlook, primarily owing to its open-source foundation. Thunderbird is a free email client application, in contrast to Outlook, which requires users to make a financial commitment to access its full suite of features.

Instant Solution

Consider using the automated tool Kernel Import OST to Thunderbird for a seamless migration of your OST files to Thunderbird. This versatile tool is compatible with all versions of Thunderbird and various MBOX email clients.

Buy Now

Importing OST files into Thunderbird can be a challenging task. In the following write-up, we will explore various methods for importing OST to Thunderbird. Finally, we will also introduce an automated tool that can streamline the process of migrating OST files effectively.

Before delving into the migration methods, let’s begin by addressing whether it’s possible to import OST files into Thunderbird.

Can we import OST files to Thunderbird?

Migrating data from Outlook to Thunderbird can be quite challenging as neither Outlook nor Thunderbird offers a direct method for importing mailbox data. However, we have a two-step procedure that involves OST to PST conversion and then direct Thunderbird import. It’s important to note that Outlook’s default data files, PST and OST, are designed to work exclusively with Outlook, while Thunderbird utilizes MBOX as its default data file format. Therefore, successful migration requires converting either PST or OST file formats to the Thunderbird-supported format.

Here, we will look at methods to convert OST files to Thunderbird MBOX format. Before stepping into the actual process of conversion, lets discuss some prominent causes behind migration from Outlook to Thunderbird.

As we discussed earlier, one of the primary reasons is the cost-effectiveness of Thunderbird, offering users a free platform for managing emails, contacts, calendars, and more. Let’s explore some other common factors that drive users to migrate OST files to Thunderbird.

1. Simple and sober user interface
2. Integrated Channel chat feature
3. No performance issue while holding large mailbox data
4. Mail Account Setup

There are many features that make Thunderbird stand out from other email clients. However, as per security concerns, Outlook is still recommended by organizations.

To import OST files into Thunderbird, the process involves two major steps. Let’s delve into the details of how each of these steps can be executed quickly and effortlessly.

1. Export OST files to PST file format
2. Import the exported PST files into MBOX

To import OST to Thunderbird, first, you need to Export OST files to PST format. Here’s how to do it:

1. Launch MS Outlook on your system & click on the File tab.
2. From the File drop-down menu, select the Open & Export option, & then click on Import/Export.
3. In the Import & Export Wizard, choose the option of Export to a file & click on Next.
4. Select the Outlook Data File (.pst) option among the file types to export.
5. Now, choose the specific folders you want to export.
6. Specify the path & name for the exported PST file & click on Finish.
7. Now, you’ve successfully exported the OST files to PST file format.

With the PST file successfully created, you can now proceed to import it into Thunderbird and open the OST file within Thunderbird by following these steps:

1. Make sure to set Outlook as your default program for sending & receiving emails.
2. Open Thunderbird & access the menu option.
3. Click on Tools, select Import & click on Mail.
4. Select the Outlook option &click the Next button to proceed further.
5. Now, choose the PST file that you exported in Step 1.
6. Select the desired folders that you want to import into Thunderbird.
7. Choose the option of importing the messages into an existing folder or a new one. Let the process be carried out.
8. Finally, click on Finish to complete the import process.

1. Requires technical expertise
2. Lengthy and time-consuming process
3. High chance of data loss

As previously discussed, if you wish to bypass the lengthy and time-consuming manual process, seeking assistance from third-party tools to convert OST data to MBOX format is advisable. While there are numerous OST to Thunderbird converters available online, finding a reliable one can be challenging. Therefore, we recommend utilizing Kernel Import OST to Thunderbird for a secure and seamless OST file import, ensuring complete data integrity.

Kernel Import OST to Thunderbird is an easy-to-use tool that comes with several advanced features to easily convert your OST files to formats like MBOX. There is no file size limitation for conversions with this software. Moreover, it recovers permanently deleted emails and other mailbox data from your OST data files. To import OST files via Kernel Import OST to Thunderbird, you have to follow the below instructions.

1. Launch Kernel Import OST to Thunderbird and click Browse to navigate the required OST files folder.



2. Select the required files and click OK. Then, click Next.



3. Preview the mailbox data of the selected OST file and click on the Save button.



4. Select MBOX as the output format and click Next.



5. Apply Filters to save specific data for your converted MBOX file and click Next.



6. Now select Thunderbird as the email client and provide the saving location. You can also choose to exclude deleted items while saving. Click Finish.



7. Wait for the saving process to complete.



8. Click OK when the conversion is over. You can follow the link and go directly to the saving location.

Wrapping up

This article offers users both manual and automated solutions for importing OST data files into Thunderbird. However, as previously discussed, the manual method has its limitations, which is why we strongly recommend utilizing an automated tool for an efficient OST to Thunderbird migration. This tool also provides several advanced filters for selective data migration, enhancing your control over the process.