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How to Extract Attachments from Thunderbird? Manually & Paid

  author
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On July 22nd, 2024
Reading Time 5 Min Read

In this write-up, we’ll explore quick and easy methods to extract attachments from Thunderbird email clients. We’ll offer the most efficient way to export Attachments from Thunderbird.

As we all know Thunderbird is an open source and free email client, which allows users to send and receive professional as well as personal emails. Also, it maintains all types of data including emails, contacts, calendars, notes, journals, etc.

However, based on my 10 years of experience, I’ve found that it can often be quite challenging for users to retrieve attachments from Thunderbird account. Don’t worry, here we will use one of the best manual methods including professional methods like the Thunderbird attachment extractor.

Scenario:

I am using the latest Thunderbird v78 in my system for email management. After a sudden system crash, I only have a backup of the Thunderbird files in the default configured location. These emails are crucial for me as they contain receipts for many business transactions as embedded attachments from my company.

So, I need to extract all attachments from the Thunderbird emails. I know that Thunderbird stores all of its data at the configured path. Because I am a little non-techie, I am still unable to locate my Thunderbird mailboxes.
Can you help me find my Thunderbird emails and extract the attachments from these emails?

Export Attachments from Thunderbird Manually

This manual method is divided into two steps to access attachments from Thunderbird email client. Both steps are detailed below, one by one:

Step 1: Install Thunderbird Attachment Extractor

  1. Open a Thunderbird account.
  2. Click on the Tools >> Add-ons & Themes option.
  3. Search Attachment Extractor in the search box.
  4. Click on the Add to Thunderbird option.

And it will be added to your Thunderbird account. Now you can easily extract attachments from Thunderbird email client.

Step 2: Extract All Attachments from Thunderbird

  1. Restart your Thunderbird.
  2. Open the folders from where you want to download attachments.
  3. Right-click on any email that has attachments.
  4. Choose Attachment Extractor from the list.
  5. Browse the destination to download attachments from Thunderbird.

Why Not Manual Method?

  • Users have to repeat the same process for each email multiple times.
  • Thunderbird must be connected in good condition.
  • A bulk process is not available to extract attachments.

Best & Advanced Thunderbird Attachment Extractor Tool

Also known as the Thunderbird Attachment Extractor alternative, RecoveryTools recommends MBOX Attachment Extractor to save and download attachments from Thunderbird mail.

This software works on Thunderbird data files. So, you will have to export Thunderbird data first.  You can do this by either using the ImportExportTools NG add-on or copying the data file from the Thunderbird directory. Once you have the file, do the following:

Steps to Extract Attachments from Thunderbird

  • Step 1: Run Thunderbird Attachment Extractor
  • Step 2: Select the Thunderbird data file.
  • Step 3: Select multiple Thunderbird files.
  • Step 4: Browse the location as per choice.
  • Step 5: Hit the “Next” option to start the process.

How To Export Attachments from Thunderbird?

Before using this Thunderbird attachment extractor, export all emails from Thunderbird account. All the methods are explained below in detail.

  1. Open your Thunderbird.
  2. Click on the Tools >> ImportExportTools NG option.
  3. Select the Export Folder option.

    export Folder

  4. Browse the location and save it.

    Browse the location

Your emails will be saved in .mbox format at the selected location. Now use the mentioned tool.

  1. Download and install the software on your machine.

    install the software

  2. Add the Thunderbird data files and folders using the Select Files and Select Folders option.

    Add the MBOX files

  3. Check the required folders from the software panel, and click on the Next button.

    required folders

  4. Browse the location using the Browse button as per your choice.

    Browse the location

  5. Enable the Extract Attachments option from the list and click on the Next icon.

    Extract Attachments option

  6. Lastly, click on the Next button to extract Attachments from the Thunderbird account.

    extract Attachments from the Thunderbird account

Why RecoveryTools Thunderbird Attachment Extractor?

  • The software provides dual options to add single or multiple Thunderbird data files using the Select Files and Select Folders options to download attachments from Thunderbird.
  • Users can easily select the required folders and subfolders from the software panel as per their requirements in order to Pull attachments from Thunderbird.
  • The Thunderbird attachment extractor allows users to save the resultant file at the desired location using the Browse button to access Thunderbird attachments.
  • Provides dual advanced options for attachments including Extract Attachments and Remove Attachments to collect attachments from Thunderbird.
  • This solution extracts all types of attachments including PDF, TXT, DOC, Excel, PNG, JPG etc to harvest attachments from Thunderbird.

Bonus Point: If you want to save your Thunderbird profile data into any other format with attachments without losing any information, then you should download and install the Thunderbird Migrator tool.

You can try a professional tool to extract attachments from the Thunderbird program. The application will support extracting objects from multiple Thunderbird profiles simultaneously.

The USP of this software is its support for the automatic detection of data from a configured Thunderbird profile. The user can also manually load Thunderbird mailboxes in two ways.

It is the best solution for all non-professional users.If users encounter any issues, they can access 24/7 live chat support. This application is also very easy to use and straightforward.

Recap

This tutorial outlines two methods for extracting attachments from the Thunderbird email client. Users can choose to do this for free using an advanced add-on or opt for professional Thunderbird attachment extractor software. We have provided detailed, step-by-step instructions for both methods. Additionally, feel free to contact us via live chat or email if you encounter any issues during the process.