Convert PST File to MBOX in Bulk? A Quick Step Guide

Why Need to Convert PST to MBOX?

• MBOX works with many email apps, not just Outlook.
• It makes moving emails to Thunderbird much easier.
• Some people switch from Outlook and need a compatible format.
• MBOX files are easier to access in different email clients.
• When you convert to MBOX, it reduces the dependency on Outlook.

Can I Convert PST to MBOX for Free? Yes, you can convert PST files into MBOX with the help of manual methods, such as IMAP synchronization or export emails as EML files and import them into Thunderbird. However, these methods require Outlook and can be time-consuming. A free trial version of Outlook Converter is also available, but they often limit the number of emails that you can convert.

 

Manual Ways to Convert PST File to MBOX

You can move your PST files into MBOX with the help of an IMAP account or with the help of an EML export.

01: Export PST to MBOX Via IMAP

This method requires an active IMAP email account with sufficient mail. Then, you just need to import PST file to Mozilla Thunderbird account.

1. Open Microsoft Outlook >> add your IMAP email account.
2. Then, import or open the PST file in Outlook.
3. Copy the required PST folders and emails to the IMAP mailbox folders.
4. Wait for Outlook to sync all the emails with the mail server.
5. After that, configure the same IMAP account in Thunderbird.
6. You need to allow Thunderbird to sync the mailbox data and access the emails.

02: Save PST to MBOX via EML Files

This method involves exporting Outlook emails as EML files and then importing them into Thunderbird, allowing you to access PST mailbox data in an MBOX-supported email client.

1. You have to open the PST file in Microsoft Outlook.
2. Select the emails that you want to convert.
3. Drag and drop the selected emails into a local folder to save them as EML files.
4. Install Thunderbird >> ImportExportTools NG add-on.
5. Then, you need to create a new folder in Thunderbird >> import the EML files.
6. Verify that the emails have been imported successfully >> organized in Thunderbird.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method

1. The manual Migration process is quite lengthy, and it is time-taking overall.
2. The manual method may not preserve the mailbox’s structure.
3. There is a high chance of getting inappropriate results.
4. It is recommended that users have some basic technical knowledge.

There can be many other limitations to using the manual method to convert Outlook PST files to MBOX format. Therefore, most users prefer a better method to transfer PST files to MBOX using professional software. Let’s proceed with the second method to convert Outlook PST to Thunderbird.

Advanced Solution to Convert PST File to MBOX

Use this Outlook Converter to export Outlook PST files to MBOX and several other formats while preserving the mailbox data. This single utility helps to maintain the email structure and formatting. It consists of several file formats to convert PST to PDF, MSG, CSV, etc. It frees up the storage space of the mailbox by detecting duplicate files.

Process to Convert Outlook PST File to MBOX

1. Download and install the Outlook Converter Tool on your system.

2. Select the File/ Folder and navigate to the .pst file on your device >> open.

3. You can preview the folders and files, and click Proceed to move further.

4. Select MBOX Mail Archive (.MBOX) from the export file format.

5. Apply the additional filters to convert specific data.

6. Click on Browse to select the destination path where to save the resultant file.

7. In the end, click on Start Export to begin the conversion of PST to MBOX

Comparison Table: Manual vs Professional Method

Feature	IMAP Method	EML Method	Outlook Converter
Outlook Required	Yes	Yes	No
Batch Conversion	No	Limited	Yes
Folder Conversion	Partial	Manual	Yes
Attachments	Yes	Yes	Yes
Time Required	High	High	Low

 

Conclusion

In this guide, we explored the different ways to convert a PST file to MBOX format. While the manual methods works but it has several limitations. Also, it requires technical effort to accomplish the conversion process. A professional method makes the whole process simple and secure. You can download the free trial version to test the software.

Frequently Asked Questions