Export Mail from Thunderbird: Step by Step Screenshots

by Heinz Tschabitscher
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated October 23, 2016
01
of 05

Export Mail from Thunderbird: Step 1

Select
Select "New | Folder" from the menu. Heinz Tschabitscher
  • Download mbx2eml and extract it to your Desktop.
  • Click on the Desktop with the right mouse button.
  • Select New | Folder from the menu.
02
of 05

Export Mail from Thunderbird: Step 2

Type
Type "mail". Heinz Tschabitscher
  • Type "mail".
  • Hit Enter.
03
of 05

Export Mail from Thunderbird: Step 3

Copy or move the highlighted files to the
Copy or move the highlighted files to the "mail" folder on your "Desktop". Heinz Tschabitscher
  • Open your Mozilla Thunderbird store folder in Windows Explorer.
  • Open the Local Folders folder.
  • Highlight all files named like folders in your Mozilla Thunderbird that have no extension.
    • Exclude "msgFilterRules" and "Inbox.msf" as well as all other .msf files, for example.
  • Copy or move the highlighted files to the "mail" folder on your Desktop.
04
of 05

Export Mail from Thunderbird: Step 4

Type
Type "..\mbx2eml * out". Heinz Tschabitscher
  • Open a Command Prompt window (via Start | All Programs | Accessories | Command Prompt).
  • Type "cd ".
  • Drag and drop the "mail" folder from your Desktop onto the Command Prompt window.
  • Press Enter in the Command Prompt window.
  • Type "mkdir out".
  • Press Enter.
  • Now type "..\mbx2eml * out".
  • Press Enter.
05
of 05

Export Mail from Thunderbird: Step 5

Drag and drop the .eml files onto the desired folders inside Outlook Express
Drag and drop the .eml files onto the desired folders inside Outlook Express. Heinz Tschabitscher