Export from Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook: Complete Guide
-
Written By
Aaradhya Jain -
Approved By
Shivam Rathore -
Updated on
October 30th, 2025 - Read Time
5 minutes
User Query: I recently switched from Mozilla Thunderbird to Outlook for work. But I’m not sure how to transfer my contacts safely. How can I export from Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook without losing any details?
Introduction:
Mozilla Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook are both widely used email clients. Thunderbird is free and simple, while Outlook offers advanced features for business communication and better integration with Microsoft 365. When users switch from Thunderbird to Outlook, one common problem is transferring contacts.
Since both programs use different file formats, you can’t directly import Thunderbird contacts into Outlook. Thunderbird usually saves contacts in .LDIF, .CSV, or .VCF (vCard) format, while Outlook prefers CSV or PST. In this blog, we’ll explain how to export Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook using a manual and a professional DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool. They give you a 100% accurate result with no data loss.
Instant Steps: Transfer Data from Thunderbird to Outlook
- Download the DRS Thudnerbird Email Backup Tool.
- Choose your Thunderbird profile and click Next.
- Preview & select the emails to convert. Hit Next.
- After that, pick the PST as the Saving Format.
- Apply advanced features/filters and click Convert.
Real-Life Scenario: Export from Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook
Emily, an HR manager, used Thunderbird to manage job applicant emails. When her company moved to Microsoft 365, she needed to migrate all contact details to Outlook. Instead of manually importing 2,000 contacts, she used the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool. Within minutes, she had all her contacts perfectly organized in Outlook.
Why Move Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook?
Many professionals prefer Outlook over Thunderbird because of:
- Better email management and calendar integration.
- Compatibility with Exchange Server and Microsoft 365.
- Secure data sharing and built-in recovery options.
- Also, access to contacts and messages across all synced devices.
Method 01: Manually Export from Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook
If you only have a few contacts, you can move them manually from Thunderbird to Outlook. The process involves exporting contacts from Thunderbird in a supported file format and then importing them into Outlook. However, this method can be time-consuming if you have a large contact list or multiple address books.
Manual Steps to Transfer Export Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook
- Fisrtly, open Mozilla Thunderbird and go to the Address Book.
- After that, select the contacts you want to export.
- Now, click on Tools and choose Export.
- Then, choose CSV or LDIF as the file format and save it.
- Further, open Outlook and click on File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Choose Import from another program or file and select CSV.
- Finally, browse the exported file, map the contact fields, and click Finish.
Limitations: Manually Export Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook
- This manual method takes time and effort for large contact lists.
- There is a risk of data mismatch or missing fields.
- Manual mapping is required for each contact field.
- Also, it doesn’t work if the Thunderbird profile is corrupted or inaccessible.
Method 02: Hassle-Free Way to Export from Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook
The DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool offers a fast and secure way to export your Thunderbird contacts directly to Outlook PST format. It automatically detects your Thunderbird profile and converts data without affecting the original structure. This tool contains several features, like:
- Migrate Thunderbird Emails to Google Workspace and other email clients.
- Preserves original formatting, structure, and metadata during the process.
- Helps to convert multiple Thunderbird contacts at once with no data loss.
- Filters, such as Date Filter, Remove Duplicates, and many more.
- Furthermore, a free version of this tool to understand its features.
Detailed Steps to Export from Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook
- Primarily, download and install the DRS Thunderbird Email Backup Tool.
- Now, choose your Thunderbird Profile from the given list. Click Next.
- Afterwards, you can preview and choose the emails to export. Hit Next.
- Then, select the PST Format as the Saving Option from the drop-down list.
- Further, use customized features/filters based on your needs.
- In the end, click Convert to successfully export your Thunderbird emails.
One-Time Service Available
The DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool provides a one-time migration service for users who need to export Thunderbird contacts and emails to Outlook securely.
Example: If you’ve recently moved to Outlook and only need to transfer your Thunderbird data once. The tool lets you complete the entire migration in a single session without any technical hassle or data loss.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we explored several methods to export from Thunderbird contacts to Outlook. The manual process works for small contact lists but can be slow and prone to errors. For fast, accurate, and hassle-free migration, the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool is the best choice. It ensures complete contact transfer with original formatting, zero data loss, and easy one-time migration. If you’re switching for work or better integration, this tool helps you move from Thunderbird to Outlook effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: The tool automatically scans and extracts Thunderbird contacts, then converts them into PST format compatible with Outlook, ensuring complete and accurate data transfer.
Ans: Yes, the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool allows you to back up and export both emails and contacts from Thunderbird to multiple formats like PST, MBOX, EML, Gmail, and Office 365.
Ans: Not necessarily. The DRS tool can detect and convert Thunderbird data even if Thunderbird is not currently installed on your system.
Ans: Yes, the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool is one of the most reliable tools for exporting Thunderbird contacts, emails, and address books directly into Outlook without data loss.
About The Author:
I, Aaradhya Jain, a technical content writer at DRS Solutions, specializes in delivering clear, practical guides on data management, migration, and recovery tools. With a detail-oriented and user-first approach mindset, I transform complex processes into actionable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.
