Thunderbird is the most popular desktop email client, allowing users to configure email accounts using IMAP, POP, or SMTP protocols. By default, it stores emails in MBOX format. However, some users prefer the Maildir format, as it stores emails as individual files, making email management and restoration easier.
Causes to Export Emails from Thunderbird to Maildir
- Maildir creates a separate file for each email to reduce corruption chances as compared to MBOX file where all emails are contained in a single file.
- Storing emails individually helps for searching, retrieving, and indexing become easier.
- Maildir helps in the backup process as it allows us to copy and restore emails without affecting whole mailbox data.
- Maildir format is ideal for multi-user environments, as it prevents file locking issues commonly found in MBOX based storage.
- With MBOX, a single corruption can affect whole mailbox data while Maildir avoids this risk by storing each email separately.
How to Convert Thunderbird Emails to Maildir Manually?
Mozilla Thunderbird supports Maildir format but it’s not enabled by default. You need to manually change Thunderbird settings to convert and store Thunderbird emails in Maildir format. Below step-by-step guide to perform it manually:
- First, open “Mozilla Thunderbird” and click on “Menu”.
- Now, choose “Settings” and select the “General” tab.
- Scroll down to the “Config editor” and search: mail.serverDefaultStoreContractID.
- Now, double-click on it and replace its value to: @mozilla.org/msgstore/maildirstore;1.
- Restart “Thunderbird” to reflect the changes.
- Go to “Account Settings” and click on “Server Settings” and verify that Maildir is selected as storage type.
- Open an “Old email account” that contains an MBOX file.
- Now, select the “Emails” as you want to migrate.
- Drag and drop into the “Maildir” folder.
- Now, install “Import/Export NG Tools add-ons” and export emails as EML files.
- Then, import EML files into a “Maildir based account”.
Shortcomings of Manual Method
- Existing emails not converted as Maildir format.
- Drag and drop method may not maintain formatting or also higher changes of attachment loss.
- Higher possibility of data loss if the process is not done correctly.
- Complex process for larger mailbox data.
How to Export Emails from Thunderbird to Maildir using Thunderbird to Maildir Converter?
If you have multiple Thunderbird mailboxes that need to be converted to the Maildir format, we recommend using Thunderbird to Maildir Converter. It allows you to export selective or multiple Thunderbird profiles without any restrictions. This software is recognized as one of the best, as it is specifically developed for Thunderbird users and offers several features to make both business and personal tasks easier.
Simple Instructions to Convert Thunderbird Emails to Maildir
- Download and install “Thunderbird to Maildir Converter” on your machine then open it.
- Click on “Configure Thunderbird mailboxes data” or let me select Thunderbird profile as required.
- Preview to select the “Thunderbird mailbox folder” as you want to export.
- Choose “Maildir” in the list of select saving options.
- Browse destination path and “File Naming Option” as needed.
- Press Next to start “Convert Thunderbird emails to Maildir”.
Epitome Elements of Thunderbird to Maildir Converter
- This software can also migrate Thunderbird emails to Outlook, Microsoft 365, Gmail, and all IMAP-supported email platforms.
- You can use the filter functionality to convert selective data based on criteria such as date range, subject, sender blank address, receiver blank address, etc.
- This software has been specially designed with a user-friendly interface, making it easy to operate for users of all levels.
- It also offers an auto-detect option or allows users to manually select the Thunderbird profile for convenience.
- Additionally, it allows to convert Thunderbird emails to PDF, MBOX, TXT, HTML, and 28+ other saving formats.
General Inquiries about Convert Thunderbird Emails to Maildir
What is the difference between Maildir and mbox in Thunderbird?
MBOX stores all emails in a single file while Maildir saves each email as an individual file. Maildir improves email retrieval and backup efficiency, reducing corruption risks. Thunderbird stores its mailbox data in MBOX format by default.
Can Thunderbird read Maildir?
Yes, Thunderbird supports Maildir format, but it’s not enabled by default. Users can change it by navigating to the storage type and selecting Maildir. It allows Thunderbird to store each email separately.
How do I Change the Message store type in Thunderbird?
To change the message store type in Thunderbird, go to Tools then click on Account Settings and hit on Server Settings and choose Message store type. Choose Maildir instead of MBOX. Restart Thunderbird to reflect the changes.
Overall Reflection
In this tutorial, we have explained almost all essential information about Thunderbird and Maildir and also covered manuals and the Thunderbird to Maildir Converter to convert Thunderbird emails to Maildir. It has lots of challenges as a precaution; the Thunderbird to Maildir Converter is reliable for each and every situation, such as small Thunderbird mailbox sizes or any large size, and it also allows reliable bulk Thunderbird profile conversion that offers high-quality output to get the same as appears in Thunderbird.