Easily Export Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird – Precise Guide

Hello Folks, are you facing challenges to export Zimbra mail to Thunderbird? However, it is a necessary task for you. This digital column walks you through the most reliable and tested approaches to import Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird. Today, within this blog we are going to discover both the manual and expert methodology to convert Zimbra mail to Thunderbird email client. For a detailed step-by-step tutorial please walk through each section of the blog content.

What is Zimbra TGZ File?

The Zimbra TGZ file is a compressed backup file generated from the Zimbra server. These files contain email data information like emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, etc. in compressed TGZ format. This Zimbra TGZ file is generally used by users to back up their Zimbra mail. Secondly, Zimbra TGZ is also used by users when converting to some other platform or format.

Need to Convert Zimbra to Thunderbird Email Client

Shift to a User-Friendly Email Client: The Thunderbird email client offers a sleek and intuitive user-friendly interface. It is relatively easy to manage email in Thunderbird email clients for both technical and non-technical users. Users are not required to take any training sessions to use the Thunderbird email client application. Therefore, users often export Zimbra mail to Thunderbird.

Zimbra TGZ Data Backup Access: There are times when users need to access their archived Zimbra data. However, the Zimbra TGZ files are not directly supported by the Thunderbird email client. Therefore, in such instances, the users are always required to import Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird client.

Data Conversion During Organizational Changes: In various situations, organizations migrate from Zimbra to Office 365 or other platforms like Gmail, Carbonio, Mailcow, etc. In such instances, organizations export Zimbra mail to Thunderbird to ensure seamless email access and continuity during the conversion process.

Better Offline Access: One eminent requirement to export Zimbra mail to Thunderbird is that we can access Zimbra data in offline mode without having an internet connection. Since Thunderbird is kept locally on your desktop. Therefore, you can access Zimbra email and attachments in offline mode with the Thunderbird email client.

Transfer Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird Directly

Users can use the all-in-one Zimbra converter tool to export Zimbra mail or Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird email client directly. This advanced Zimbra to Thunderbird Converter has both the options to export Zimbra TGZ and Zimbra mail directly to the Thunderbird email client. Secondly, this advanced utility has the functionality of selective Zimbra conversion using filter settings. In simple words, the utility has filter options based on date range, subject, folder, From, To, etc. aspects. Now, let’s discuss the workings of this advanced solution for both Zimbra TGZ and Zimbra Mail one by one.

How to Export Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird Automatically?

1. First, download and install the Zimbra to Thunderbird converter on your PC.
2. Next, choose the conversion option as Migrate Cloud Hosted Mailbox & click Next.
   
3. Then, enter the Zimbra Mail credentials to the utility console and enter the Login.
4. After that, enable the folder you need to export from Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird.
5. Then, choose the saving option as Thunderbird from the drop-down menu list.
6. Now, go to the filter options tab and use advanced filter settings to selectively convert Zimbra to Thunderbird.
7. Finally, enter the Backup button to start the Zimbra mail to Thunderbird exporting process to complete.

How to Import Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird Securely and Effectively

If you already have Zimbra TGZ files stored in your local storage then you need to select the utility option to migrate on-premise Zimbra server. For a detailed guide please walk through the below-mentioned steps.

1. Initially, run the Zimbra to Thunderbird converter utility on your desktop.
2. Next, choose the Zimbra conversion source to migrate on-premise Zimbra server.
   
   
3. Then, click on the Add Files or Add Folders options to insert the Zimbra TGZ into the tool panel.
   
4. Thereafter, select the folder from the left side panel required to convert to Thunderbird.
5. Now, click on the Convert option and choose the saving options as Thunderbird.
   
6. After that, apply the advanced filter settings accordingly from the filter options.
   
7. Finally, click on the Convert button to directly import Zimbra TGZ to the Thunderbird email client.
   

Note: To use the Zimbra to Thunderbird Converter utility users must have the Thunderbird email client pre-installed on their desktop. Secondly, this advanced utility will automatically detect the Thunderbird profile from your PC. Users are not required to select the destination location.

Manually Export Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird for Free

The Zimbra Web client offers the functionality to export Zimbra data in compressed Zimbra TGZ format. Simply use the export option offered by the Zimbra Web client to get the Zimbra TGZ file. Then, you need to extract the Zimbra TGZ file on your local desktop to get the EML files. Finally, you can Import these EML files in Thunderbird utilizing drag and drop approach. To have a complete in-depth tutorial please follow the below-mentioned steps.

How to Export Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird Using DIY Approach?

1. Initially, login to Zimbra Web Client from your desktop.
2. Next, enter the username & password for your Zimbra Web client.
3. After that, go to the preferences tab and select Import/Export option.
4. Then, select the folders as All folder and verify file format is TGZ.
5. Now, click on the Export button and choose the Zimbra TGZ storing location.
6. Thereafter, locate the Zimbra TGZ file and extract it to get EML files.
7. Next, run the Thunderbird email client on your desktop.
8. Finally, one-by-one drag and drop the extracted EML file to Thunderbird.

Limitations of Using DIY Way to Convert Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird

• The DIY approach to importing Zimbra mail to Thunderbird is a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process.
• The manual method does not allow any filter conversion to Thunderbird. The only option is to extract folder by folder Zimbra TGZ from the Zimbra Web Client.
• The manual method requires manually dragging and dropping each extracted EML file to Thunderbird. Which may result in human errors and critical Zimbra data loss.
• The process may be complicated for users who are from non-technical backgrounds.

Zimbra to Thunderbird Converter Vs Manual Approach

Concluding Words

To sum up the above digital column on the topic of export Zimbra mail to Thunderbird directly. We have listed both the Zimbra to Thunderbird converter automated solution and the manual approach to overcome the query. Initially, we discussed what is the Zimbra TGZ file and the common need to import Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird. Secondly, we have seen the working of expert solutions for both Zimbra Mail and Zimbra TGZ files one by one. Moreover, we have seen the manual approach to converting Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird. However, the manual approach has some of its limitations. Finally, we have seen the in-depth comparison of the automated approach and the DIY approach.