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Migrating for outlook to t-bird, trying to import mail, error "either there is no default mail client...", I have confirmed that outlook is default, ?

TomGallagher
TomGallagher
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I am migrating from Outlook to Thunderbird.

I have purchased a new computer running windows 8.

I have copied the outlook data file from my old computer to he new computer.

I have installed Thunderbird on my new computer.

I try to import existing email stored in Outlook to Thunderbird.

I get the message "either there is no default mail client..." I have made Outlook the default mail client and have rebooted the computer.

Any way to get thunderbird to recognize the Outlook file?

Tom

I am migrating from Outlook to Thunderbird. I have purchased a new computer running windows 8. I have copied the outlook data file from my old computer to he new computer. I have installed Thunderbird on my new computer. I try to import existing email stored in Outlook to Thunderbird. I get the message "either there is no default mail client..." I have made Outlook the default mail client and have rebooted the computer. Any way to get thunderbird to recognize the Outlook file? Tom

Chosen solution

The automatic import routine only works if you have TB and the old program installed on the same machine. If possible, I suggest you install TB on the old computer that currently has Outlook, run the auto-import, and then transfer the TB profile from the old computer to TB on the new machine.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Move_to_a_new_PC

The method I've found that is the simplest and most reliable is to copy the Thunderbird folder from the old machine to the new one:

https://getsatisfaction.com/mozilla_messaging/topics/refinding_my_thunderbird_mail_program#reply_13643805

Read this answer in context 👍 5

All Replies (3)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I note that you have copied the outlook data to new computer, but you do not mention whether you can actually see and read those emails using Outlook on new computer.

Please confirm that on your new Win8 computer, you can open Outlook and see all the emails which you copied from the outlook data file on old computer to the new computer.

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

The automatic import routine only works if you have TB and the old program installed on the same machine. If possible, I suggest you install TB on the old computer that currently has Outlook, run the auto-import, and then transfer the TB profile from the old computer to TB on the new machine.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Move_to_a_new_PC

The method I've found that is the simplest and most reliable is to copy the Thunderbird folder from the old machine to the new one:

https://getsatisfaction.com/mozilla_messaging/topics/refinding_my_thunderbird_mail_program#reply_13643805

TomGallagher
TomGallagher Question owner
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Thanks so much for the help. I installed TBird on the old computer, imported my Outlook data and then moved the TBird data file. I really appreciate the quick responses.