Sunday, July 19, 2009

Migrating from Outlook 2007 to Thunderbird on Linux

I recently migrated to Thunderbird on Linux from Microsoft Outlook 2007 (on Windows XP).

Following are the steps (should work for Outlook Express and older Outlook versions as well):

1) Install Thunderbird on Windows (Yes! On Windows first).
2) After installation go to 'Tools->Import'. Select Mails and then Outlook. This process might take some time and you should ensure that there is sufficient disk space available. Refer to http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_mail_storage_location_(Thunderbird) , if you want to change the location of Local Folders on Thunderbird.
3) Note the location where Thunderbird keeps it's folders (Tools->Account Settings->Local Folders will show the location). Copy Local Folders to a USB/External Drive (if the current location is not accessible from Linux).
4) On Linux, Install Thunderbird. Start Thunderbird. Configure your E-mail Account. Note the location where your local folders are located.
5) Create a 'New Folder' under 'Local Folders'(say 'Import'). Create another sub-folder inside 'Import'.
6) Go to the location where you can find the local folders. You should be able to locate the Import.sbd folder inside it.
7) From the original location where you imported the Outlook mails using Windows Thunderbird, copy contents of the Outlook.sbd folder to the Import.sbd on linux.
8) Ensure that the owner and permissions of all content under Import.sbd is appropriate (refer to the Inbox/Import folder/file permissions).
9) Start Thunderburd.

You should be able to see all your Outlook 2007 mails under the Import Folder. Initially they will all appear as un-read.