How to Import Maildir to Thunderbird? Best Two Solutions

  

Rollins Duke   
Published: October 19th, 2023 • 7 Min Read

Hey, are you looking for a technique to import Maildir to Thunderbird? If yes then you are on the right page. Here we will show you a complete guide on how to convert Maildir emails to Thunderbird using a professional solution. But before starting the conversion process of importing Maildir into Thunderbird, let’s gather some information about Maildir and Thunderbird’s email client.

Thunderbird is an email client distributed only by the Mozilla Foundation. It is very easy to install and maintains user privacy. It helps users handle email files efficiently and with style. Thunderbird also allows the user to search messages faster and sort the results by date, contact, etc. It works smoothly with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

As we all know a structure for incoming email message files, the Maildir format is a widely used file format for storing email messages. In Maildir, each email was stored in a separate file with a unique name, with a directory for each email known as a folder. The temp, new, and cur subdirectories are the most important parts of the maildir directory.

If a user wants to see the data of the Maildir file then he cannot see it and Thunderbird is considered to be the best email client for Maildir data, so let us know the process to import Maildir to Thunderbird. But before that let us know some reasons why Maildir has to be converted into Thunderbird.

Reasons to Import Maildir to Thunderbird

• Mozilla Thunderbird provides multiple advanced features.
• Convert Maildir emails to Thunderbird when switching email clients.
• Ensure email data consistency across different operating systems.
• Create secure backups of Maildir emails with Thunderbird.
• Benefit from Thunderbird’s intuitive email interface and customization options.
• Maildir is slower when all the emails have to be opened simultaneously, but in Thunderbird, all the email files are easily opened in a single attempt without any issue.

Best Ways to Convert Maildir Emails to Thunderbird

In this article, we will provide two solutions to import Maildir to Thunderbird, with the help of which you will solve this problem very easily. The first solution is manual and the second solution is with the help of an automatic tool. If you want to import only selected messages, then you can take the help of the first solution i.e. manual solution. If you want to transfer complete mailbox data, you will have to take the help of automatic tools. You can take the help of any one method as per your need. Let us now learn the process of both methods in depth.

Method 1: Thunderbird Import Maildir Folder Using Free Solution

Note: Before starting this method, you will have to add the ImportExportTools NG addon to Thunderbird, only after that you will be able to use this method.

1. Firstly, open the Thunderbird on your computer System.
2. After that, right-click on the folder you want to import into.
3. Now, select the ImportExportTools NG option, and click the Import Messages option.
4. Next, in the File Explorer window, change the file type to the All Files option.
5. Finally, select the messages in the Cur folder and then tap the open button.

Method 2: Import Maildir to Thunderbird Using Automatic Tool

Learn How to Use This Automatic Tool With Complete Screenshots 

1. Firstly, download and install the Maildir to Thunderbird converter on your Windows platform.
   
2. Now add the Maildir data from the “Select Files” or “Select Folder” options.
   
3. Then all data from Maildir folders will appear on the windows, you can select the folder as per your need.
   
4. Next, click on the “Select Saving Option” and choose “Thunderbird”.
   
5. If you want to import Maildir data directly into Thunderbird then don’t browse the saving location. It will load the default storage location automatically.
   
6. Finally, click on the “Convert” icon to start the procedure.
   

Thrilling Features of the Expert-Recommended Tool

• With all elements: The software is able to import Maildir to Thunderbird with all elements including emails, attachments, signatures, subjects, hyperlinks, text formatting, Internet headers, inline images, etc.
• Dual Option: this software also provides the dual option to add files. That is, choose files or choose folders so that users can easily load Maildir files and folders in the software interface.
• Desired Destination: The software will automatically choose the destination path to import emails directly, also they can choose the desired location as per their needs.
• Support all maildir files: One of the best features of this utility is that it supports maildir files of various email clients including Dovecot, Exim Server, FDM, Kmail, Postfix, etc. The tool also offers a batch conversion feature so that users can save valuable time.
• Conversion Report: After showing the completion message, the tool will automatically create a log report containing complete information about the imported data i.e. saving format, imported data, destination path name, date and time, conversion status, etc.

Now, let’s have a look at the questions and answers communicated between our users and our developers to import Maildir to Thunderbird.

FAQs to Import Maildir to Thunderbird

Where are Thunderbird files located?
Thunderbird files are stored in the following location
C:\Users\(Windows user name)\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\(Profile name)

What type of item is saved in Maildir’s cur folder?
Messages that have previously been seen by email application are stored in this Maildir’s Cur folder.

What is the default store location of Maildir in Thunderbird?
The default store location of Maildir in Thunderbird is:
mail. serverDefaultStoreContractID [email protected]/msgstore/maildirstore;1

What file format does Thunderbird use?
Although the default file format of Thunderbird is .mbox, you can also import Maildir to Thunderbird with the help of the manual solution given by us.

What is the location of Dovecot Maildir control files?
You can locate the control files at the following location under the Maildir directory:
mail_location = maildir:~/Maildir:CONTROL=/var/no-quota/%u
“maildir:~/Maildir: CONTROL=var/ no-quota/ %u”

How can I rename any Maildir directory for a hierarchical layout?
While choosing a hierarchical directory structure, you can rename the selected directory as follows:
“maildir: ~/Maildir: LAYOUT=fs: DIRNAME= mAIlDIr”.

Can this automatic software also transfer Maildir++ to Thunderbird?
Yes, with the help of this software, you can also convert Maildir++ emails to Thunderbird.

Conclusion

Finally, in this article, we have described two methods to import Maildir to Thunderbird, one manual and one automatic tool. Now you can use any one method as per your need. If you want to transfer only selected messages from the Maildir Mailbox folder, you can use the manual solution. Or if you want to import the complete mailbox, then you can use the automatic tool as it is also recommended by experts.

Users can also try this software by downloading a free demo version, which allows them to see how it works. I hope you enjoyed reading the post.