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How to Export Thunderbird to EML? Free & Pro Ways (2026)

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On May 23rd, 2026
Reading Time 8 Min Read

Overview: You can easily bulk export Thunderbird to EML files using the built-in “Save As” option or via drag-and-drop. To convert Thunderbird to EML  – folder-by-folder for free ImportExport Tools NG is a suitable option. However, the most reliable way to convert all Thunderbird data to EML with attachments and a maintained folder structure at any desired location is to use RecoveryTools Thunderbird to EML converter.

What You Will Find Here? Hide
  1. Reasons to Export Thunderbird to EML
  2. Expert Recommended Method
  3. 3 Manual Solution to Convert Thunderbird to EML Format
    1. Method 1: Using a Plugin
    2. Method 2: Using Drag & Drop Method
    3. Method 3: Using the Save As Option
  4. Major Features of Thunderbird to EML Converter
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Final Thought

Mozilla Thunderbird is one of the most popular email clients available at the moment, according to the company. The key reason for its widespread use is the ease with which it can be accessed and used at no cost.

Thunderbird Emails VS EML File Format

Thunderbird is an open-source & widely used email client on all Mac, Windows, and Linux devices. It generally stores email in MBOX files (all folder emails are stored in a single file).

The .eml file format was initially developed by Microsoft, and is now an open-source email format. It can be directly opened by a web browser or can be opened by multiple email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail, IceWarp, eMClient, and many more. An EML file stores a single email – email body in UTF-8 charset and attachments in base64 encoding.

This guide offers a step-by-step tutorial to convert Thunderbird to EML without any loss.

Reasons to Export Thunderbird to EML

In general, users save Thunderbird emails as EML, as it is a more modern file format with versatile usage. Here are the key scenarios where users save multiple Thunderbird messages as EML files:

  • Platform Migration: The primary reason is to switch between email clients, such as migrating Thunderbird to Office 365, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc. Exporting Thunderbird to EML lets you access Thunderbird email on mobile. It’s an easy way that lets you move computers while preserving all email data.
  • Data Archival: To back up Thunderbird emails so that the user can access them easily and avoid the risk of bulk corruption (as with MBOX files).
  • Quick Sharing: Converting Thunderbird messages to EML format makes them portable as they can be sent as attachments while preserving all email properties, including formatting & media.
  • Data Forensics: Saving Thunderbird messages in EML format helps legal investigators meet the needs of in-depth Thunderbird email analysis.

Best Tool to Export Thunderbird Emails to EML in Bulk

RecoveryTools Thunderbird Migration Tool for Mac & Windows lets you easily convert Thunderbird to EML format in 3-steps with its easy-to-use interface, high-speed algorithms, and offline operation. You can export all emails from the Thunderbird profile to EML with attachments without any mailbox size restrictions, ensuring that your original email structure remains intact.

Free Download Thunderbird to EML Converter software from the button mentioned below:

How to Convert Thunderbird to EML Format?

  1. Install & run the Thunderbird to EML Converter.
    Thunderbird to eml converter
  2. Load Thunderbird Mailbox file manually using the Select Files or Select Folders option.thunderbird export to eml
  3. Now, from the folder preview, select all required items to export to EML.thunderbird save to eml
  4. Choose the EML option from the list of 25+ file-saving options to convert Thunderbird to EML.  export thunderbird messages to eml
  5. Set up Thunderbird Export to EML files options like Destination location, or File Naming options available to manage resultant emails.
    convert thunderbird mail to eml
  6. At last, click on the Convert button to analyze the live Thunderbird Export to EML process.thunderbird save to eml
  7. Once the conversion process finishes successfully, click on OK.
  8. Access the resultant EML files as the software directly opens the destination folder.converted EML files

3 Manual Solution to Convert Thunderbird  to EML Format

Apart from the Thunderbird to EML Converter, there are multiple manual ways to export Thunderbird to EML file. However, they are not so reliable, but still, to stay informed about them, read the multiple conventional ways mentioned below:

1. Thunderbird ImportExport Tools NG Export Folder as EML

The primary manual solution to export Thunderbird to EML format requires the installation of an Add-on, i.e., ImportExportTools NG. To download this extension and convert Thunderbird to EML, follow the steps mentioned below:

  1. Firstly, run Thunderbird on your system and click on Menu (three lines on top-right).
  2. Go to Themes & Add-Ons Section.
  3. Search for ImportExportTools NG and click on the “Add” button.ImportExport NG Tool to save Thunderbird emails as EML
  4. Now, select the Add-Ons and Themes option.
  5. Once done, right-click on the Thunderbird folder you want to convert.
  6. Next, choose ImportExportTools NG and click on Export All Messages in Folder.
  7. After this, click the EML Message Format, and further, select either of the EML export options.save Thunderbird email folder in EML format
  8. Finally, navigate to the saving location and click on Convert to export Thunderbird to EML.

2. Convert Thunderbird to EML via the Drag & Drop Method

  1. Begin by starting Thunderbird on your system.
  2. Now, open the Thunderbird folder that you want to convert to EML.
  3. Further, drag the desired email file and drop it on the device’s local location.
  4. At last, for a while, to cross-check the process of Thunderbird export to EML.

3. Thunderbird to EML Export Using the Save As

  1. Run Thunderbird on the PC.
  2. Right-click on the desired email.
  3. Choose the Save As option.save as option to export Thunderbird as EML
  4. Then select the EML format option.
  5. Pick the saving location and hit Save.choose the saving location

Alert: The manual solution is quite simple, but it also has certain limitations that can’t be overlooked, as it fails to maintain the folder hierarchy and file structure. Also, you have to repeat the steps for all data folders that consume a lot of resources. If you want to export Thunderbird to EML format effortlessly, then go with the automated solution. In the next section of the blog, we will explore the prime functionality of the Thunderbird to EML Converter toolkit.

Thunderbird to EML Converter – Major Features & Benefits

As we can see from above, the working of the software is very easy and simplified to save Thunderbird to EML files. One of the major advantages and benefits that are provided by this Thunderbird to EML Export Tool is listed below:

  • The software comes up with dual options for choosing EML files by clicking on Select Files or Select Folders.
  • The utility allows users to export messages from the Configured Thunderbird Profile Path.
  • The software preserves all the Thunderbird email properties and its components like Attachments, Email Components, Signature, To, Cc, Subject, while transferring emails from Thunderbird Email to EML files.
  • The software maintains an on-disk System Folder Hierarchy while importing Thunderbird to EML files.
  • Convert Thunderbird to EML and save the desired file at any desired location on your computerr PC.
  • Thunderbird to EML Converter offers 10+ file naming options for better organization, easy access, and efficient management of EML files.
  • Use the solution on all editions of Microsoft Windows and Windows Server machines.
  • You can also install Thunderbird to EML Converter on all editions of Mac OS X computers.
  • This software supports 25+ file formats, such as converting Thunderbird to PDF, DOC, TXT, HTML, MBOX, MSG, or migrating Thunderbird to Gmail, Yahoo, Office 365, Outlook for Mac, etc.
  • It is a standalone tool that does not require Thunderbird installation to export Thunderbird to EML and works in a 100% offline and secure way.

Feature Comparison of Thunderbird to EML Software VS Free Ways

Factor Using RecoveryTools Software Free-Manual Way
Bulk Export Limitless Export of Large Profiles Limited & Suitable for Small Folders
Selective Date-Wise Export Has Smart Filters No Such Option Available
Preserves Attachments / Metadata / Formatting Yes Not Consistent
Preserves Folder Hierarchy Yes No
File Naming Option 10+ Options Overlong & Unrecognizable File Names
Time Taken Can Convert Over 100GB of Data in Hours Fails and Can Be Extremely Time-Taking for Bulk Conversion

FAQs: Export Thunderbird to EML

Q1: Is there a way to export all messages in .eml format from multiple folders simultaneously?
Yes, you can use RecoveryTools Thunderbird to EML Converter Tool; it lets you select separate Thunderbird profiles or mailboxes simultaneously. There is no limit on mailbox size or the number of emails.

Q2: Can Thunderbird open EML files?
Yes, you can even open EML files in the Mozilla Thunderbird application. Right-click on the EML file, choose “Open With,” and select Thunderbird as the application.

Q3: How many emails can I save for free with the free version of Thunderbird to EML Tool?
You can convert 25 emails per folder for free with RecoveryTools Thunderbird to EML converter.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explained the method of export Thunderbird to EML files. The solution allows them to import emails into many EML-supported clients. Also, the Thunderbird to EML converter tool comes out with a trial version. The demo edition allows you to convert the first 25 emails without requiring Thunderbird installation. Purchase the suitable license to perform fast Thunderbird to EML conversion from here. You can also contact us. If you have any issues during the process.

Read Next: Expert Guide to Migrate Thunderbird Files to Outlook

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