How to Convert Your MBOX to PST for Free – Quick and Easy Steps

Tired of paying for expensive but trashy conversion software? Our guide shows you how to convert your MBOX files to PST format using free tools. With our quick and easy steps, you’ll be up and running in no time.

What are MBOX and PST file formats?

MBOX and PST are file formats used for storing email messages. MBOX is the standard format used by many email clients, such as Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail, while PST is the proprietary format used by Microsoft Outlook. Furthermore, MBOX files store email messages as individual text files, while PST files store them in a proprietary binary format.

Why do you need to convert MBOX to PST?

There are several reasons why you might need to convert MBOX to PST. One common reason is when you switch from an email client that uses the MBOX format to Outlook, which uses the PST format. Another reason is when you need to share email messages with someone who uses Outlook or when you want to backup your email messages in PST format.

Tools you need to convert MBOX to PST for free

To convert your MBOX files to PST format for free, you will need the following tools:

• Mozilla Thunderbird – open source email client that supports MBOX files.
• ImportExportTools Thunderbird Add-on – an add-on that allows you to import/export MBOX files.
• Microsoft Outlook – to import the EML files into PST format.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Convert MBOX to PST for Free

Follow these steps to convert your MBOX files to PST format for free:

1. Install Mozilla Thunderbird.
2. Install the ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird.
3. Import your MBOX files into Thunderbird using ImportExportTools NG ass-on.
4. Select the MBOX folder you want to export and choose “Save selected messages” from the right-click menu.
5. Choose the export format as “EML“.
6. Open Microsoft Outlook and create a new folder to store the MBOX emails.
7. Select the EML file, right-click on it then select Open with >> Outlook.
8. Once the email opens in Outlook, click on “Move” from the ribbon bar, then choose the new folder.
9. Make sure to repeat the previous two steps for each EML file.

Do You Know?
The drag-and-drop method showcased by many brands online to convert MBOX to PST is actually a hoax. When you drag and drop EML files into Outlook, it is not treated as an email. In fact, when you double-click to try and open this “email”, you will be given the option to open it or save it to your computer. Here, you need to open it with Outlook (Outlook must be the default app to open an EML file), then save it to make it an integral part of Outlook.

At last, all your emails are successfully transferred to Outlook. Now, if you specifically want to move all MBOX data to a PST file, then simply create a PST file in Outlook, described below.

Another Way to Convert Your MBOX File to PST Without Spending a Cent

You will require a Yahoo mail account ending with @yahoo.com (preferably new) in addition to the tools you needed for the previous method. Once you have that, get on with the following instructions to change your MBOX files into PST format.

I. Configure Yahoo account in Thunderbird

1. Open Thunderbird and click on the “Menu” button (three horizontal lines) located on the top-right corner of the window.
2. From the drop-down menu, select “Options” and then click on “Account Settings.”
3. In the Account Settings window, click on the “Account Actions” button (located on the bottom-left corner) and then select “Add Mail Account.”
4. Enter your Yahoo email address and password, then click on the “Continue” button.
5. Thunderbird will automatically configure the settings for your Yahoo account. If it does not, enter the following settings manually:
   1. Incoming mail server: imap.mail.yahoo.com
   2. Outgoing mail server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
   3. Port: 993 (IMAP) or 995 (POP3) for incoming mail, and 465 for outgoing mail.
   4. SSL: YES
6. Once you have entered the settings, click on “Done” to complete the setup.

II. Configuring Yahoo Account in Outlook

1. Open Outlook and click on the “File” tab located on the top-left corner.
2. Select “Add Account.”
3. In the “Add Account” window, enter your Yahoo email address and go to the next window.
4. Enter your Yahoo password and click on “Connect” again.
5. Outlook will attempt to configure your Yahoo account automatically. If it does not, select “IMAP” from the options provided and enter the settings manually:
   1. Incoming mail server: imap.mail.yahoo.com
   2. Outgoing mail server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
   3. Port: 993 for incoming mail, and 465 for outgoing mail.
   4. SSL: YES
6. Once you have entered the settings, click on “Next” and then “Finish” to complete the setup.

III. Copying emails from MBOX file into Yahoo account in Thunderbird

1. Open Thunderbird and import the MBOX file in “Local Folders” using ImportExportTools NG add-on.
2. Then, create a new folder in your Yahoo account.
3. Select all the emails in the imported folder and copy them into the new Yahoo folder.
4. Once done, open Outlook and wait for the emails to synchronize.
5. Since accounts in Thunderbird and Outlook are configured via IMAP, the emails copied to the Thunderbird Yahoo account also get synchronized in the Outlook Yahoo account.

Voila! You have now successfully imported the MBOX file to Outlook. Now, if you specifically meant having a PST file after converting MBOX to PST, then you can simply create one in Outlook below.

## Create a PST File in Outlook Containing All MBOX Emails

To export a PST file in Microsoft Outlook, follow these steps:

• Open Microsoft Outlook.
• Click on the File menu.
• Click on Open & Export and select Import/Export.
• In the Import and Export Wizard, select Export to a file and click Next.
• Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
• Select the folder or account you want to export and click Next.
• Choose the location you want to save the .pst file and enter a name for it.
• If you want to password-protect your .pst file, check the box next to “Add Optional Password” and enter your password twice.
• Click Finish to begin the export process.
• Depending on the size of your mailbox, the export process may take some time.

Once the export process is complete, you will have a copy of your mailbox data saved as a .pst file that can be imported into Outlook or another email program.

3rd Method to Change MBOX to PST Format with the Help of Multiple Applications

You will need Apple Mail (Mac), Eudora (Windows), Outlook Express (Windows) and Microsoft Outlook (Windows desktop) to use this method. The step-by-step instructions are as follows:

I. Import & export MBOX file with Apple Mail

To begin importing mailbox data to Apple Mail, open the program on your computer. Proceed to the “File” menu and select the “Import mailbox” option. Select the source MBOX file and click the “Continue” button. In the following wizard, select the MBOX files and click “Continue” again. Once the import is complete, click “Done”.

II. Create a new mailbox using Eudora

Add the .mbx file extension to the imported file and move it into the Eudora directory, located at C: Documents and Settings user >> Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora. Open Eudora and double-click on the .mbx file. After this, close the Eudora application.

III. Proceed to import the newly created mailbox using Outlook Express

Launch the program and go to “File” >> “Import” >> “Messages”. Choose Eudora from the available email applications and click “Next”. Locate the .mbox file and click “Ok”. Click “Next” >> “Next” >> “Finish” to complete the process. The imported data will be saved in the Outlook Express Local Folders.

IV. Finally, transfer the mailbox to Microsoft Outlook

Open MS Outlook and go to the “File” >> “Open & Export” >> “Import/Export” option. Choose “Import from another program or files” and click “Next”. Select “Import Internet Mail and Addresses” and click “Next”. Choose “Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x, or window mail” and click “Next” again. Locate the file to import and export using the browser option and click “Finish” to complete the process.

Drawbacks of using multiple applications

• Change in MBOX metadata: When using multiple applications on the same device, compatibility issues often occur between the different software. This can lead to changes in metadata and integrity of the MBOX files.
• Performance issues: Running many applications at once can cause the device to slow down considerably. This can lead to a frustrating experience for users, especially if they need to switch between multiple applications frequently.
• Security concerns: Some of these applications are outdated and not in use anymore, Although, you can download the software from the internet, but without official support, it will lead to security risks.
• Increased complexity: Managing multiple applications can be time-consuming and complex. Users have to remember different instructions and configure settings for each application.
• Higher Cost: Using multiple applications can be expensive over time, as many applications are subscription-based or require in-app purchases. This can quickly add up and put a strain on the user’s budget.

Convert from MBOX to PST With MBOX to PST Converter

Convert your MBOX files to PST using RecoveryTools MBOX Migrator, also known as MBOX to PST converter. The software offers advanced features and functionalities to convert MBOX files to PST format without any data loss or corruption issues.It generates PST file which is compatible with Microsoft Outlook. Furthermore, it has the ability to perform seamless and secure conversion of MBOX files to PST format.

1. Download and install RecoveryTools software on your device.
   
2. Launch the program and click on “Select File” to browse and select the MBOX file that you want to convert.
   
3. View the added MBOX file and folders and select desired folders for conversion.
   
4. Choose the “PST” option as the output format and select the preferred location to save the converted file.
   
5. Click on “Convert” to start the process.
   
6. Wait for the process to complete and then close the program.
   

## Check the PST file in Outlook

Once the export is complete, you can transfer the .pst file to another computer or open it in a different email client that supports .pst files. To open the .pst file in Microsoft Outlook, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook and go to “File” >> “Open & Export” >> “Import/Export” option.
2. Choose “Import from another program or files” and click “Next“.
3. Select “Outlook data file (.pst)” and click “Next“.
4. Locate the newly created PST file and select it.
5. Choose the import options that suit your preferences and click “Finish” to complete the process.
6. Your MBOX data will now be accessible in Microsoft Outlook.

Tips and tricks for converting MBOX to PST

Here are some tips and tricks that can help you in the conversion process:

• It is always recommended to take a backup of your MBOX files before converting them to PST. This will help you in recovering the files in case anything goes wrong during the conversion process.
• Test the method with 20-25 emails before operating with bulk data.
• Ensure that you select the appropriate options in each program to avoid any data loss.
• There are many MBOX to PST tools available in the market. Choose the one that gets positive reviews, is user-friendly, and comes with good customer support.
• Converting all your MBOX files in one go can be time-consuming and may also cause errors, especially with the manual methods. Convert them in small batches to avoid errors and save time.
• Make sure to understand beforehand what method you want to use. Choose the one which is compatible with your system and email client.
• Delete all the unnecessary or duplicate files from your MBOX files before converting them to PST. This will save you time and effort.
• During the conversion process, make sure you keep an eye on the progress. This will help you in identifying any errors or issues that might occur.
• Once the conversion process is complete, test the converted files to make sure that they are working properly.

Common issues and solutions

• In some cases, the imported data may not include all mailboxes or messages. It is recommended to check the MBOX file before initiating the conversion process.
• If the conversion process fails, try using an alternative program or method for transferring your mailbox data.
• Make sure to choose a reliable and trusted MBOX to PST export software (like RecoveryTools software) for seamless and secure conversion.
• Before importing the PST file into Microsoft Outlook, make sure to close all other Microsoft Office applications.
• If you are experiencing issues related to converter software, contact the support team of the software for assistance.

RecoveryTools resolves all Conversion Queries related to MBOX

Question 1. What is MBOX and PST format?

Answer. MBOX stands for Mailbox and is a file format used by various email clients to store email messages. PST stands for Personal Storage Table and is a file format used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendar, tasks, and other items.

Question 2. Why do I need to convert MBOX to PST?

Answer. MBOX format is not compatible with Microsoft Outlook, and so to access MBOX files in Outlook, they need to be converted to PST format.

Question 3. Can I convert MBOX files to PST format manually?

Answer. Yes, you can convert MBOX files to PST format manually, but the process is time-consuming and complicated. You need to use different tools to extract data from MBOX files and then import it into Outlook. We have explained three different manual methods in the article to help you.

Question 4. Is there any software that can make MBOX to PST conversion easy?

Answer. Yes, there are various converter software available that can make the conversion process easy and hassle-free. RecoveryTools is the best among them. It can convert multiple MBOX files to PST format in a few clicks and maintain the data integrity.

Question 5. Are professional software safe to use?

Answer. Yes, the software is safe to use as long as you download them from a trusted source such as RecoveryTools where all the exes and dmg files are thoroughly scrutinized for any issues.