How to Convert MBOX to PST - A Step-by-Step Guide

Managing emails can be sometimes difficult, especially when you're working with multiple email clients. Email platforms like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or SeaMonkey, support MBOX files, whereas, Outlook does not. So, how to open an MBOX file in MS Outlook? That’s where users face inconvenience. If you're one of those users looking for solutions to convert MBOX to PST, here is the blog for you. You can explore a range of methods and a professional MBOX Converter Tool to perform MBOX to PST conversion. Further, let us proceed into the blog to learn more about converting MBOX files.

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What are MBOX and PST Files?

To convert MBOX files to Outlook PST, it's better to understand MBOX and PST files. Both MBOX and PST are the most used file formats for storing mailbox data. However, they are associated with different email clients and, thus, differ in various ways.

MBOX is a generic file format storing all your emails into a plain text file. It stores all messages in a single file, with each message separated by a delimiter. These files, store entire email folders including inbox, sent items, drafts, etc., in a single file. Furthermore, MBOX files can be accessed through email programs such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and others.

On the other hand, PST or Personal Storage Table is an Outlook Data File. It stores Outlook email messages, calendar events, contacts, and other data items. These files use Microsoft’s proprietary binary format, and thus cannot be accessed on other platforms. Additionally, PSTs offer more advanced features in comparison to MBOX. That is why most users prefer to convert Thunderbird to PST.

Advantages of PST Files Over MBOX

Listed below are various advantages of PST files over MBOX, which is why users convert MBOX to PST:

●?????? Firstly, PST files allow access to mailbox data in Microsoft Outlook.

●?????? Also, it offers better email management capabilities compared to MBOX files.

●?????? Provides robust security with password protection, and digital signatures.

●?????? PSTs effectively create backups and store Outlook data for future reference.

●?????? Support additional data types such as tasks, notes, journal entries, etc.

Now that we have outlined the benefits of converting MBOX to PST, let us explore how to perform conversion.

Possible Solutions to Convert MBOX Files to Outlook PST

Here we will discuss free manual processes and one of the best professional tools to export MBOX files to PST. Beginning with the manual procedure. This section deals with mainly three manual procedures. Let us explore them individually.

#1. Simplest Method to Convert MBOX to PST

It is the most used approach for converting MBOX to Outlook PST for Thunderbird users. It involves three major steps, you need to follow:

●?????? Save MBOX Files as EML

●?????? Drag EML Files and Drop into Outlook

●?????? Export Emails from Outlook to PST

Follow the steps as instructed further.

Step 1: Save MBOX Files as EML

Follow the procedure below to save MBOX files to EML format:

1. Open Thunderbird and right-click on a folder.
2. From the list, choose the New Folder option.
3. Provide a name to the new folder, and click Create Folder.
4. Now, select all the email messages you want to migrate.
5. Move the selected emails to the new folder.
6. Open the new folder and select all the emails.
7. Then, click on Save As to save them in EML format to your preferred location.

Further, proceed to the next step to convert Thunderbird to PST.

Step 2: Drag EML Files and Drop into Outlook

To transfer and open EML emails in Outlook, follow these steps:

1. Locate and open the folder containing the EML files you wish to import.
2. Select the desired emails and simply drag and drop them into any Outlook folder of your choice.

Step 3: Export Emails to PST Files

In the final step to convert MBOX to PST, you need to export emails from Outlook to PST files. Do the following:

1. In MS Outlook, tap on File and then, Open & Export.
2. Next, click on the Import/Export tab.
3. Opt for the ‘Export to a file’ option in the Import/Export wizard. Click Next.
4. Now, select ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)’ and click Next.
5. From the list, select the folder where you saved the EML files. Click Next.
6. Then, specify the destination location for the new PST file. Click Finish.

Thus, a new PST file will be created at the chosen location storing MBOX file data. Alternatively, you can try other methods.

#2: Convert MBOX to PST With Various Email Clients

Note: This procedure requires the installation of various email clients including Apple Mail, Outlook Express, MS Outlook, and Eudora on your PC.

This process is for Apple Mail MBOX files. Firstly, install these applications on your system and do as directed further to convert MBOX Files to Outlook PST.

Step 1: Import MBOX Mailbox Data into Apple Mail

1. Open Apple Mail on your computer.
2. Then, go to File and select Import Mailbox.
3. Choose the MBOX file (source) and click Continue.
4. Browse and select the desired MBOX files. Click on Continue.
5. Once the import is complete, click Done.

Proceed to the second step, which is to open Eudora and create a new mailbox.

Step 2: Create a New Mailbox Using Eudora

1. Add the .mbox file extension to the imported file.
2. Next, move the .mbox file to the Eudora directory where files are saved.

(Default Location: C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora).

1. Once you have moved the file, open Eudora.
2. Double-click on the MBOX file.
3. Lastly, close the Eudora application.

Moving further, the third step to convert MBOX to PST involves opening Outlook Express.

Step 3: Import the New Mailbox Using Outlook Express

1. Launch Outlook Express on your PC.
2. Follow as directed: File >> then, Import >> then, Messages.
3. From the list of email applications, select Eudora. Click Next.
4. Next, find where the .mbox file is saved and click OK.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the import process: Next > Next > Finish.
6. Thereafter, the Outlook Express Local Folders will save the imported data.

And, we have reached the final step to convert MBOX files to Outlook PST.

Step 4: Transfer Mailbox from Outlook Express to Microsoft Outlook

1. Open MS Outlook.
2. Open: File > then, Open & Export > and then, Import/Export.
3. Select the option ‘Import from another program or files’ and tap Next.
4. Then, choose ‘Import Internet Mail and Addresses’ and click ‘Next.’
5. Select the option: ‘Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x, or Windows Mail’ > Next.
6. Next, choose the file to import/export and click Next.
7. Lastly, click Finish to complete the process.

This was a complete step to convert MBOX to PST format using multiple email clients. It might be complicated for new users, so perform the steps carefully. Otherwise, switch to the next procedure.

#3. Convert Thunderbird to PST Via Gmail

If you find the above-mentioned procedure complicated, using Gmail can help to convert Thunderbird mailbox files to PST. However, this process cannot be performed on Outlook versions before Outlook 2010. It involves four major steps as directed below.

Step 1: Enable IMAP Settings in Gmail

To transfer emails from MBOX to Outlook through Gmail, the IMAP protocol must be activated first. Further, let us begin to convert MBOX to PST via Gmail:

1. First, open Gmail on your PC.
2. Click on the Settings icon > and then, See all settings.
3. In Settings, click on the Forwarding and IMAP/POP tab.
4. Under the opened tab, select Enable IMAP and click Save Changes.

Now, you can add the IMAP-enabled Gmail Account to Thunderbird. The following section depicts how.

Step 2: Add Gmail Account in Thunderbird

To configure your Gmail account to your Thunderbird account, follow these steps:

1. Open Thunderbird and go to Settings.
2. From the list, click on Account Settings.
3. Under Account Actions, select Add Mail Account.
4. Enter all the required details of your Gmail account. Click Continue.
5. Once the configuration is complete, click Done.

The setup process may take a few minutes.

Step 3: Transfer Emails to New Folder

Here, you need to Import MBOX File Into Gmail Account . So, the process involves migrating Thunderbird emails to a new folder in configured Gmail account. The steps are as follows:

1. Create a new folder in the added Gmail account within Mozilla Thunderbird.
2. Drag and drop all emails you want to migrate into this folder.
3. The emails will automatically synchronize with your Gmail account.

Now, imported emails have to be moved into Outlook. For that, configure Gmail in Outlook.

Step 4: Setting Up Gmail in Outlook

Are you wondering how to Configure Gmail in MS Outlook ? Here's how you will set up Gmail in Outlook and finally convert MBOX to PST:

1. Open Outlook and click on Add Account in the File tab.
2. Select ‘Manual setup or additional server types’ and click Next.
3. Choose POP or IMAP, then click Next.
4. Enter all necessary details such as Account type, Username, Password, etc.
5. Further, click on More Settings.
6. Under the Advanced tab, make the required adjustments for proper configuration:

IMAP: 143 or 993 – SSL encryption

POP: 110 or 995 – SSL/TLS encryption

SMTP: 25, 26, or 465 – SSL/TLS encryption

1. The Account setup process will take some time to complete. Click Close.

Hence, these were the three most used manual methods to convert MBOX files to Outlook PST. However, it has certain restrictions as well.

Limitations of Manual Steps

●?????? Requires installation of multiple email clients.

●?????? It is a bit lengthy and complex to be performed.

●?????? Also, there are chances of data loss and file corruption.

●?????? Needs technical expertise to execute the procedure.

●?????? Possibly, many email clients have been discontinued.

Consequently, you might face trouble while converting MBOX to PST through the manual method. Therefore, the best approach is to use a professional conversion tool.

#4. Expert Solution to Convert MBOX to PST

DRS MBOX to PST Converter is the best solution to convert MBOX files from any email client to PST. Being the most effective tool, it allows users to convert MBOX to a range of file formats. Additionally, you can directly migrate MBOX to distinct email clients such as Office 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. It is among the top choices for converting MBOX files without any hassle. Moreover, it offers multiple advanced features for a better immigration experience.

However, if you want to backup Thunderbird mailbox data in PST format, use the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool . It is the most convenient tool and can be a better choice to convert Thunderbird to PST. Furthermore, you can download both tools' free versions and evaluate which works better.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this blog will help you convert MBOX to PST with ease. You can choose either the free manual method of your choice or the professional tool. If you are aware of technical know-how, manual procedure is not a tough task. However, professional tools are more reliable, easy to operate, and deliver quick results. Furthermore, opt for the right procedure based on your preferences.