As you know that MSG is a single message file of Outlook client. When the single message from PST file is dragged and dropped to the desktop, MSG file is created. Now, the question here is would it be possible for the users to read Outlook MSG file in Thunderbird? The answer to this question is yes but how this would be possible. The answer of this question will meet to the users in this write-up.
Thunderbird is an email client provided by Mozilla Foundation free of cost and supports MBOX and EML files direct import in it. But MSG file content can be read in Thunderbird when users convert MSG files of Outlook to EML format. Lets us first discuss the need to move MSG file to Thunderbird.
Purpose of moving MSG file into Thunderbird
When users don’t have Outlook with them, MSG files can’t be opened. Thunderbird is a free email client and if users have Thunderbird installed with them, they have the option to view MSG files in Thunderbird. Moreover, when users are working with Thunderbird client and got MSG files from somewhere. To read the content of MSG file, MSG to Thunderbird EML conversion is needed. Apart from it, job switch and accessing old emails in Thunderbird could be a case of Outlook MSG to Thunderbird migration.
Approaches to move MSG emails to Thunderbird EML format
Approach 1. When Outlook and Thunderbird both are installed
Here is the first approach which is applicable when the users have Outlook and Thunderbird both clients with them. For this, follow the simple steps –
- Open Outlook
- Drag and drop message file
- Click on Save As button and select a location to save the file
- In Save As Type, select TXT file format and click on Save
- Right-click the TXT file and change the extension from .txt to .eml
- During the extension change, you will find a warning prompt. Click Yes and save your .txt file in EML format.
- Open Thunderbird application. Click on a new subfolder and name it.
- Go to the location where EML files are saved. Drag & drop EML files from your system to the new subfolder in Thunderbird.
Issues faced with the manual approach
- Outlook and Thunderbird both email clients are required.
- The process is lengthy and time-consuming.
- MSG file attachments are not converted with it.
- There is no assurance of safe migration.
- The method will be helpful if counted MSG files are there to move to Thunderbird.
Approach 2. When Outlook is not installed
Get the alternate solution if you don’t have Outlook with you. The one more plus point of this solution is it doesn’t need Outlook and Thunderbird both to convert Outlook MSG data in TB EML format. Here we are talking about a software approach that will smoothly migrate bulk MSG files to Thunderbird without involving Outlook client. One of the recommended applications is MSG to EML Converter Expert by Datavare that beats all the limitations of the manual solution and convert MSG data to Thunderbird in very less time plus taking few efforts of the users.
Final Opinion
The two techniques will help the users to read MSG file in Thunderbird client with or without Outlook existence. However, the most suggested solution is the software approach which is explained above and provides 100% precise results without hampering original MSG emails and attachments.
