ThunderbirdLinux vs Windows Live MailWindows

Thunderbird as a Linux alternative to Windows Live Mail

Updated October 23, 2026

Our verdict

Thunderbird is a solid replacement for Windows Live Mail for users who need a free, open‑source client that handles email, calendar, contacts, RSS feeds and news reading. It covers most everyday tasks and offers a keyboard‑driven workflow that many power users appreciate. Those who rely on the tight Windows integration of Live Mail or on its legacy data format may need extra steps, but overall Thunderbird meets the core needs of typical users.

Feature parity85%

License: MPL-2.0
Price: Free
Latest version: 158.0.1 (October 20, 2026)
Rating: —

Install Thunderbird Website ↗

Thunderbird screenshot — Thunderbird Mail View, Light Mode

What works the same

Supports IMAP/POP3 for email access
Includes a built‑in calendar with scheduling and reminders
Provides an address book for contact management
Offers RSS/Atom feed reading
Allows multiple email accounts in one interface

What is different

No native import of Windows Live Mail .pst/.ost files – requires third‑party tools
Exchange support is via extensions, not built‑in
No built‑in newsreader for Usenet (requires add‑on)
Chat/IRC integration is optional and may feel less polished
No automatic migration of Windows Live Mail settings
Requires manual configuration of some protocols

Opening your Windows Live Mail files

Thunderbird does not directly open Windows Live Mail data files (.pst or .ost). Users must export their mail from Windows Live Mail to a standard format such as MBOX or use a third‑party converter before importing into Thunderbird. The import process is not automated within Thunderbird.

Switching from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird, step by step

Export all mail from Windows Live Mail to MBOX or EML format via the export feature or a converter tool.
Install Thunderbird from your distribution’s package manager or Flathub.
Open Thunderbird, go to File → Import, and choose the exported MBOX files to import messages.
Set up your email accounts in Thunderbird using the same server settings (IMAP/POP3) you used in Windows Live Mail.
Import your contacts by selecting File → Import → Address Book and choosing the appropriate format.
Verify that calendar events and RSS feeds have been recreated; reconfigure any missing feeds manually.

Key features of Thunderbird

Supports IMAP, POP3, SMTP, and Exchange via extensions
Built‑in calendar with scheduling and reminders
Chat and IRC client integrated
RSS/Atom feed reader
Advanced message filtering and tagging
Full encryption with OpenPGP
Extensible via add‑ons
Keyboard‑heavy workflow

How to install Thunderbird on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.thunderbird

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install thunderbird

Debiansudo apt install thunderbird

Fedorasudo dnf install thunderbird

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S thunderbird-i18n-fr

openSUSEsudo zypper install MozillaThunderbird

Frequently asked questions

Can I migrate my Windows Live Mail settings automatically?

No, Thunderbird does not support automatic migration of Windows Live Mail settings. You must manually reconfigure account settings, filters, and other preferences.

Is there a way to keep my old Windows Live Mail data in Thunderbird?

You can import your old mail by exporting it from Windows Live Mail to MBOX or EML files and then importing those into Thunderbird. Contacts and calendar items need to be exported separately and imported into Thunderbird’s address book and calendar.

Does Thunderbird support Exchange servers?

Yes, but it requires the “Exchange Support” add‑on. Without the add‑on, Thunderbird will not connect to Exchange servers directly.