How to Import Outlook Express to Thunderbird Successfully

Monika ~ Modified: 18-03-2023 ~ Microsoft Outlook , Outlook Express , Technology ~ 5 Minutes Reading

There are several email clients out of which, Outlook Express is the most popular before the release of MS Windows 7. It provides users a facility to maintain their emails, contacts, tasks, calendar, journals, etc. in DBX format. Due to the advancement of technology, this outdated application is no longer in use. Day by day Outlook Express becomes isolated as compared to other email clients.

So, many users face issues accessing Outlook Express because it has been discontinued by Microsoft. At that time, they need to import their emails into other email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird and so on. An application like Thunderbird stores its data in MBOX file format.

Hence, due to users’ needs, we are going to discuss the appropriate methods to import Outlook Express to Thunderbird. Before going towards the solution, go through the responsible factors behind importing DBX to Thunderbird conversion.

Unavoidable Reasons to Export Outlook Express to Thunderbird

There are many reasons behind the Outlook Express to Thunderbird migration. Some of them are listed below:

  1. The DBX files of Outlook Express are highly prone to corruption.
  2. Mozilla Thunderbird provides lots of advanced features.
  3. Thunderbird is an open-source and free email client application.
  4. Outlook Express is an outdated email client, so it does not work properly.
  5. The working speed of the Outlook Express email application is extremely slow.

Due to the above-discussed reasons, many users need to import Outlook Express data files into MBOX files. Furthermore, to resolve the problem of the users, we are going to discuss the best two approaches.

Manual Way to Import Outlook Express to Thunderbird

Under this manual approach, we are going to discuss the importing process of .dbx to .mbox file format. For this purpose, users need a hard drive or USB flash and also need Thunderbird installed on their local machine.

Now, go further to follow the given steps to import Outlook Express to Thunderbird.

Step 1:- Start the Outlook Express application on your old version of the system and wait until all the emails are loaded. When all the emails are loaded, go to the File menu then click on the Export button and select Messages.

Step 2:- Now, a pop-up window will display on your screen. Here, you need to select all your emails to export, or just specific files or folders. Choose as per your need and then select the “Next” button.

Step 3:- From here the exporting process begins. This may take a moment to import the data because it all depends on the number of emails and the processing power of the system. It is also necessary that you do not allow “Screen Saver” to open on your desktop as this may stop the procedure.

Step 4:- When the process has finished, you need to find a backup of DBX files that are previously generated. Now, .dbx will make us able to migrate emails from Outlook Express to Thunderbird. Thus, to find the file, select the option Tools >> Options. Now, choose the ‘Maintenance’ option and then select the “Store Folder” tab. From here a pop-up window will appear on your screen that shows the directory of the folder that contains your .dbx file.

STEP 5:- Under this step, you need to copy the newly generated DBX file into the USB drive. After completion of the copying process, you have to load the flash drive and start copying the DBX file via your Outlook Express store file.

Step 6:- After completion of the above process, now you can remove the flash drive and plug it into your new computer system.

Step 7:- In this step, open the Mozilla Thunderbird application and click on the Tools option then select Import. After that, locate Windows Explorer to find the DBX file on your flash drive. Now select the option “Next” and Mozilla Thunderbird will complete the procedure for you.

Step 8:- Finally, the import Outlook Express to Thunderbird process is completed, and you are able to see a new folder in your Thunderbird that includes all of your Outlook Express emails.

Export Outlook Express DBX Files to Thunderbird – Professionally

Sometimes the above-stated way is not working properly and there are some limitations in this procedure. So, users need to find an alternate solution to import Outlook Express to Thunderbird. In this case, there is a reliable tool like the DBX Converter Tool available.

This tool provides some consistent features to resolve the problems of users. There are the following key features that help in Outlook Express to Thunderbird conversion process:

  • Transfer the .dbx file to .mbox, .msg, and .pst files without any data loss.
  • Generate a single .mbox file for individual Outlook Express folders.
  • Convert oversized and bulk DBX files into Thunderbird. Provide conversion in all versions of the Outlook Express application.
  • Compatible with all versions of the Windows operating system (32-bit & 64-bit).

Let’s Wrap Up

In this era, email clients play a crucial role in professional or normal user’s life. But, people face many issues while using outdated email applications like Outlook Express. So, users want to import their .dbx file into MBOX file format. MBOX file stores the data and supports several email applications.

When users try to import Outlook Express to Thunderbird with help of the manual way, then it creates various issues. Therefore, we have also suggested an appropriate solution to resolve the problem.