Convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook – Simple Steps for a Smooth Move!
Have you ever been stuck with an email client that no longer meets your needs? Many users started with Zimbra Mail but later realized that Microsoft Outlook provides better features, integration with Office 365 applications, and security.
However, moving your emails, contacts, and calendars from Zimbra to Outlook is not as easy as you think. That’s where this blog comes in; we will walk you through the most effective and suitable ways to convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook hassle-free.
Why do users convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook and what it offers?
Zimbra Mail is a reliable email client, but many users find Microsoft Outlook more suitable to manage their mailboxes. You can check out the key benefits in the following section that drive users to perform the Zimbra convert to Outlook process.
- Provides better integration of calendars, contacts, and tasks with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams and SharePoint.
- A modern and intuitive interface with customization options makes email management easier and more efficient.
- Advanced security measures like multi-factor authentication, phishing protection, and better encryption make it a secure email client.
- Offline email access allows users to read and compose emails, which is helpful when the internet connection is unstable.
- Efficient email organization is possible with a focused inbox, advanced filtering options, and folder management.
- Delivers strong technical support through extensive documentation, community forums, and dedicated customer support teams.
- Provides consistent experience on different devices with a real-time synchronization process for smooth email communication.
- Supports various plugins, add-ons, and third-party integrations that help users increase their overall productivity.
How to convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook using the best manual methods?
After testing various ways to convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook, we found these manual methods to be the most effective. Try them one by one to find the best solution for your needs.
Method 1. Export Zimbra Mail data and drag & drop to Outlook
Zimbra Mail allows its users to export mailbox data directly from its web portal or desktop application. Here are the detailed steps to convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook free of any errors via the Import/Export utility.
Step 1. Go to Zimbra.com and Sign in with your account credentials.
Step 2. Tap on the Import/Export option to access the Preferences tab.
Step 3. Choose a specific mailbox folder by clicking on the All folders option.
Step 4. Select the required folder and click on OK to proceed.
Step 5. Check Advanced settings to choose the Data types and set Date range as needed. Then, use Search filter to sort data, enable Only export content files, excluding meta data, and proceed to Export option.
Step 6. Select a location in your system drive to save the data of the mailbox folder. It will start downloading the folder.
Step 7. Locate to the folder where you saved the file. Then, extract it to view the content.
Step 8. You will get the EML files once the extraction process is completed.
Step 9. Launch Outlook application in your system.
Step 10. Right-click on the Inbox folder to create a New folder.
Step 11. Navigate to the folder where EML files are saved. Select all the files that you want to access.
Step 12. Drag and drop the selected files to the recently created Outlook folder.
Step 13. Now, you can access the Zimbra Mail content in Outlook application.
Method 2. Sync emails or mailbox data using Zimbra Connector for Outlook
Another solution is an unfamiliar one but, it is probably the most practical one for accessing Zimbra Mail account mailboxes in Outlook.
We are talking about the Zimbra Connector for Outlook (ZCO) that provides real-time and two-way synchronization of mailbox items between Outlook & Zimbra accounts.
To install and set it up completely, follow the given steps.
- ZCO supports the following versions of the Windows Operating system:
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Microsoft Outlook supported versions for ZCO service.
- Outlook 2016: 32-bit and 64-bit
- Outlook 2019: 32-bit and 64-bit
- Outlook 2021: 32-bit and 64-bit
- Gather the following details before installing ZCO in your system.
- Zimbra server hostname
- Zimbra Email address
- Zimbra account password
- A secure and reliable connection is required to perform the operation quickly.
- Antivirus applications can slow down the process. If possible, turn them off for the InitialSync process.
Section 1. Install ZCO using the MSI installer file
Go through the following steps to download and install ZCO in your system.
Step 1. Download MSI installation file using the following URL.
https://<servername>/downloads/index.html
Step 2. Close the Outlook application if it is open.
Step 3. Execute the installer by double-clicking on it and click Next.
Step 4. Read the end-user license agreement carefully and tick I accept the terms in the License Agreement option. Then, proceed to Next option.
Step 5. Click Next to start the installation.
Step 6. Close the dialog box when the installation is completed.
Section 2. Create a ZCO Outlook Profile in Outlook
ZCO installer automatically creates an empty profile (with Zimbra name) if there are no existing Zimbra profiles in Outlook. Then, follow the provided instructions to proceed.
Step 1. Open the Outlook application.
Step 2. Select the Zimbra profile. Then, a Zimbra Server Configurations Settings dialog box opens.
Step 3. Enter Server Name, Zimbra email address, and account Password in their respective columns and click OK. Leave the Use Secure Checkbox selected unless you are not instructed by your IT administrator.
Step 4. It will start fetching your account data from the server to store them in ZDB files. Open the Zimbra Ribbon and click on Show Zimbra Progress to check the progress.
Section 3. Launch Outlook with same profile to begin IntialSync
The previous section will begin the IntialSync to create a copy of Zimbra Mail account data into a ZDB file which will be stored locally on your system drive. The completion process will depend on the size of the Global Address List, the number of users, and network conditions. If the process is interrupted in between, then it will resume from where you left off. You can access your mailbox data once the process is completed successfully.
Advanced Profile Settings
You can change the following setting if requested by higher authorities your organization.
- Connection Settings: ZCO by default uses Windows Internet Explorer proxy settings. But, you can also configure it manually by entering the HTTP proxy and port number or choosing to use no proxy.
- Download Settings: Configure ZCO to download only the email message header rather than downloading a complete message, including attachments to optimize your storage space.
- Data Files: Set up roaming profile settings for your account to access your Outlook mail from multiple systems by storing your Outlook profile information on a remote machine.
Additional Method: Configure Zimbra Mail in Outlook to access mailbox data
Important to Know: Enable POP or IMAP access for Zimbra servers before using this method.
You can also configure your Zimbra Mail account in Outlook to access its mailbox contents. For this, read Zimbra Mail Client Configuration settings properly to avoid any uncertainties while configuring a Zimbra account.
Although the method is not a proper email migration, it gets the job done for you with certain limitations. One of them is that you have to continue both email client’s services.
What is the quickest way to simplify Zimbra to Outlook migration?
As of now, you are fully aware of the detailed steps to execute the Zimbra convert to Outlook process by using the manual methods. But, the manual methods require careful execution of each step to get the most satisfactory results.
Also, missing any steps will lead to severe data loss issues. Hence, to avoid these circumstances and convert Zimbra to Outlook free from errors, you have to rely on automated solutions like Recoveryfix EML to PST.
Its easy-to-use interface simplifies the entire Zimbra migration even for novice users. The Zimbra to Outlook Converter easily handles the conversion of your EML files of any size and number without hampering its data integrity.
Key Takeaways
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook using the best manual methods. Try these methods today to enjoy a more organized, secure, and powerful emailing experience with the Outlook application. If you encounter any challenges, then take professional help from the recommended solution. It also allows you to efficiently perform the Zimbra Mail backup process and convert specific mailbox contents with its advanced data sorting filters.
Quick Help & Answers
Q- How can I use a Zimbra mail converter to export Zimbra to Outlook?
Use the Zimbra to Outlook professional software (the recommended one) that simplifies the migration and helps you easily transfer emails, contacts, and calendars from Zimbra to Outlook. It extracts data from Zimbra mailboxes and converts it into a compatible PST format that can be imported into the Outlook application.
Q- How to convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook 365 without data loss?
You can easily convert Zimbra Mail to Outlook 365 by exporting Zimbra mailbox data in TGZ format. Then, use the recommended solution to change it into PST to import the same data into Outlook 365 for easy accessibility. Besides that, you can use manual methods to convert Zimbra to Outlook.
Q- What is the best way to migrate Zimbra to Office 365?
The best way to migrate your Zimbra Mail data to Office 365 is by extracting the TGZ file from Zimbra Mail and converting them into a compatible format like PST. Later, use Network upload (Azure AzCopy tool) to import PST files to Office 365 or third-party migration tools to simplify the process.
Q- How does a Zimbra to Exchange migration tool simplify the transition?
A Zimbra to Exchange tool automates the conversion of Zimbra mailbox files into Exchange-supported formats. It assures that all emails, attachments, and contacts are transferred securely to the Exchange Server without data loss or any other issues.
Q- How do I perform Zimbra convert to Outlook manually?
The manual process of Zimbra to Outlook goes like this; export your mailbox as a TGZ file from Zimbra, extract its contents (EML files), and drag and drop these files into the Outlook application. Now, you access the contents of your Zimbra Mail into Outlook.
Q- Is there a way to convert Zimbra to Outlook free of cost?
Yes, you can manually export Zimbra emails as EML files and drag them into Outlook to convert them for free. However, this method is not ideal for large mailboxes. In that case, you can go with the recommended solution.