How to Export MSN Emails to Thunderbird Account?
MSN Mail is just a Microsoft consumer account running on Outlook.com behind the scenes, so anything that works for an outlook.com or hotmail.com address works here too. Moving that mail into Thunderbird gives you offline access, your own filters, and a free desktop home for messages. The catch most guides miss is that the sign-in step changed, and the old password method no longer connects.
Why move MSN mail into Thunderbird
I set this up on a real MSN account before writing, and the reasons people do it are practical:
- Read your mail offline, with no need for a live connection to open old messages.
- Use Thunderbird’s own filters and folders to organise a busy mailbox.
- Keep a free desktop copy of your MSN mail as a backup home.
- Customise the interface, since Thunderbird is open source.
Add MSN to Thunderbird with OAuth2 (the free way)
This is the part most articles still get wrong. They tell you to type your MSN email and password. As of 2025 that fails, because Microsoft now requires OAuth2 sign-in for Outlook.com, Hotmail, and MSN accounts in mail apps. The good news is that recent Thunderbird versions detect this automatically and hand you a real Microsoft sign-in window instead.
- Open Thunderbird and go to the menu, then New, then Existing Mail Account.
- Enter your name and your MSN email address, then continue. Leave the password field alone for now.
- Thunderbird should auto-detect IMAP with OAuth2. Confirm the configuration and click Done.
- A Microsoft sign-in window opens. Sign in there and approve access. Your MSN mail then syncs into Thunderbird.
If sign-in keeps failing, Thunderbird probably set the account to Normal password. Open the menu, then Account Settings, then Server Settings for your MSN account, change Authentication method to OAuth2, save, and let it prompt you to sign in again. That single switch fixes the most common MSN connection problem.
Where the free IMAP link falls short
For everyday reading, the OAuth2 link above is free and works well. But it has real limits worth knowing before you rely on it:
- It mirrors the live mailbox rather than saving a separate file. Delete something on the server and it disappears in Thunderbird too.
- There is no portable backup file you can archive or hand to someone else.
- You cannot easily pick only certain senders or date ranges to bring across.
- A large mailbox syncs slowly over IMAP and can stall under server limits.
For linking one personal account, none of that matters much. If you need a saved offline copy or you are moving a heavy mailbox, it does.
When a desktop migration tool makes sense
If you want an actual file on your drive, or you are moving a large MSN mailbox into Thunderbird, a desktop tool like the Corbett IMAP Migration Tool is built for that. It connects to MSN over IMAP, lets you preview and filter what to move, and exports straight to a Thunderbird profile while keeping folders, dates, and attachments intact. It runs on Windows and does not need any technical setup.
Be honest about which you need. For a single account, the free OAuth2 link above is enough. The paid tool earns its place when you want a portable copy or a bulk move.
Steps to use the tool
- Download and install the tool on your Windows computer, then open it.
- Click Open, then Email Accounts, then Add Account.
- Enter your MSN sign-in details, open Advanced Settings, and add the IMAP server.
- Choose Export, then pick Thunderbird as the destination to finish.
Benefits of the tool
- Keeps your data safe. The transfer protects message content and structure, which matters for business mail.
- Selective export. Move only the folders or date ranges you actually want.
- Simple and quick. The steps are clear enough for non-technical users.
- No changes to the original. Your source MSN mailbox stays exactly as it was.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my MSN password not work in Thunderbird?
Microsoft retired plain-password sign-in for Outlook.com, Hotmail, and MSN accounts in mail apps. You now have to sign in through the Microsoft OAuth2 window instead of typing the password into Thunderbird.
Do I still need to enable IMAP in MSN settings?
For most accounts Thunderbird configures IMAP for you during setup. If a connection is refused, check that IMAP access is allowed in your Outlook.com sync settings.
How do I switch the account to OAuth2?
Open Account Settings, then Server Settings for your MSN account, and change Authentication method to OAuth2. Save and sign in again when prompted.
Does the free method save my mail as a file?
No. The IMAP link mirrors the live mailbox. For a separate offline file you can archive, use the desktop tool.
Will any of this delete mail from MSN?
No. Both methods copy or sync your mail. Your original MSN mailbox stays intact unless you delete something yourself.
Conclusion
Exporting MSN mail to Thunderbird is straightforward once you know the sign-in changed. Add the account and let the Microsoft OAuth2 window handle authentication, and your mail syncs in for free. If the account defaults to a password, switch it to OAuth2 and it connects. When you need a portable offline copy or a bulk move, a desktop tool does the job cleanly. Which fits you better, a quick free link or a saved copy you fully control?
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