Dovecot is an open-source email server for Linux/UNIX OS. To download emails, users can connect to Dovecot using IMAP or POP3-compatible email clients. This mail server supports standard Maildir and MBOX formats. The mailboxes are indexed transparently, which provides Dovecot with good performance. Importing Dovecot Maildir files to Thunderbird allows you to access your emails on a widely supported email client.
Users also want to transfer Dovecot Maildir files to the Mozilla Thunderbird email client for other reasons. In this article, we will learn the procedure for importing Dovecot Maildir to Thunderbird. But before this, let us understand the reasons behind this import.
Reasons to Import Dovecot Maildir Files to Thunderbird
This section discusses some reasons to import Maildir to Thunderbird:
- With Thunderbird’s easy design and features, users find it simple to manage their emails.
- Thunderbird is available for various systems like Windows, Mac, etc.
- Thunderbird allows easy saving and syncing of emails hence providing easy and secure reach.
- Thunderbird comes with various add-ons that users can easily install to smartly manage their emails.
- You will get features like quick searching, filtering, etc. in Thunderbird.
Manual Tricks to Import Dovecot Maildir to Mozilla Thunderbird
Yes, manually you can import Maildir data files in Thunderbird. Check the below steps:
- Install ImportExportTools Add-on on Thunderbird and restart it.
- Then, create a mailbox for the import.
- Pick that mailbox
- Pick ‘Import/Export Tools’ and then ‘Import Messages’ from the Tools menu.
- Then, change the file type option and make it ‘All files’
- Pick files from the Maildir directory.
- Hit Open.
After this, Maildir files are successfully imported to Thunderbird. But this method has demerits too.
Demerits of the Manual Migration Process
- This method won’t allow choosing specific mailbox data from Maildir.
- There is a high chance of losing data which makes the manual way unreliable.
- The migration may fail because of the differences in Maildir and Thunderbird file versions.
- Filtering unnecessary mailbox items is not possible with manual methods.
Due to these shortcomings, users avoid manual solutions. So, what’s the next way? An automated solution is the ultimate answer.
Import Dovecot Maildir to Thunderbird using automated software
Softaken Maildir Converter is a reliable and simple solution that can quickly import all your Dovecot Maildir files to the Thunderbird email client. With the help of this utility, you can freely import multiple Maildir files directly to Thunderbird in bulk.
Also, this app allows desired file migration by preserving all formatting, data integrity, email attributes, and folder structure. With all attachments, Maildir emails to Thunderbird are safely migrated by this app. Additionally, one can effortlessly operate this program on various Windows versions.
How to import Dovecot Maildir to Mozilla Thunderbird with a professional tool?
Check these simple steps to import Dovecot Maildir emails to Thunderbird:
- Install and open the Dovecot Maildir 2 Thunderbird Converter Program.
- Browse the required Dovecot Maildir files.
- Get a preview of Dovecot Maildir files.
- Go with the ‘Generate MBOX file format’ option.
- Then, tap the ‘Browse’ button and set the path to save the resultant data files.
- Press the ‘Convert Now’ button and this commences the process.
After converting Dovecot Maildir files to MBOX file format, import them to Mozilla Thunderbird with the given steps:
- Launch Thunderbird and go to Tools.
- Pick the ImportExportToolsNG add-on and pick the option of ‘Import MBOX files.’
- Then, go with ‘Import one or more MBOX files’ and hit ‘OK’
- Now, find the converted MBOX files and open them.
How to set the Maildir file format in Mozilla Thunderbird (Instead of MBOX)?
Thunderbird email clients can configure various email accounts in MBOX format. However, users may change this format to Maildir, if needed. To change the format of the existing account in Thunderbird, you need to delete the account, alter the settings, and again add the account.
Here is the detailed process:
- Start Thunderbird and hit on the Tools menu.
- Now, select Settings.
- In the General tab, go to the last option i.e. Indexing
- Now, choose the File per message (Maildir) option from the list.
- Then, restart Thunderbird. Now, this will save the emails in the Maildir format of all the newly configured email accounts.
Also Read: How to Transfer Mailbird to Thunderbird
Conclusion
We believe with the techniques explained in this post, you can successfully import Dovecot Maildir to Thunderbird. Whether you can use manual way or professional tools to accomplish this task. However, we highly advise you to choose the automated program which is quite simple and safe. Moreover, you can test it with its free edition.