How to Import MBOX Files to Outlook – A Comprehensive Guide

Updated On - November 28, 2024 by Armaan | Reading Time: 10 minutes

Emailing is an integral part of our personal/professional lives and there are many email platforms for communication. Various email clients use different formats to store emails. Multiple email clients use MBOX as one of the most popular file formats to store email data. More than 20 email clients (like Gmail, Thunderbird, Spicebird, Eudora, Apple Mail, SeaMonkey, etc.) use this file format. Emails are saved in text format, while attachments are saved in an encoded file type.

Because of its text-based structure, the MBOX format offers several advantages, including widespread adoption and simple message navigation. It is, however, a platform-dependent type. However, if you want to import Mbox files to MS Outlook, you’ll need to convert MBOX files to Outlook PST file format.

Why Do Users Import MBOX Files to Outlook?

Users import MBOX files to Outlook for several reasons, mainly for email management and data migration:

• Switching Email Clients: When users switch email clients, like moving from Thunderbird or Apple Mail to Outlook, converting MBOX to PST helps transfer all their emails.
• Using Multiple Email Clients: Many people use different email programs on different devices. For example, Thunderbird at home and Outlook at work. By importing MBOX files to Outlook, they can keep all their emails in one place.
• Email Backup: Converting MBOX files to PST is a simple way to back up emails. PST files are easy to store, transfer, and access when needed.
• Business or Workplace Needs: Since many workplaces use Outlook, employees may need to move their email data from MBOX to Outlook to stay consistent and follow company guidelines.
• Fixing Compatibility Issues: Sometimes, MBOX files may not be fully compatible with all Outlook features. Converting them to PST ensures everything works smoothly within the Outlook system.

4 Verified Methods to Import MBOX Files to Outlook

There are some manual and automated methods to import MBOX into Outlook. This article will walk you through the best three manual methods for importing MBOX to Outlook PST and one automated method using Regain MBOX Converter tool. Keep reading; the processes are given below.

Method 1. Using Multiple Email Clients

It is a little bit complicated way as it involves multiple email clients and applications. As it is a completely manual process, it is divided into four steps so that you can easily apply and perform the conversion. But remember, you need to install multiple email clients on your device.

Follow the below-given steps for the error-less processing:

Step1: Import MBOX Emails to Apple Mail

1. Open Apple Mail, click on the File tab, and then Import Mailboxes.
2. Go with the option “Files in MBOX Format” and then continue.
3. Make a selection for the MBOX files that you want to import using the Choose button.
4. Select the file items to import >> Continue >> Done.
5. Move toward the “Import MBOX File” section and replace the file extension to. mbx.

Step2: Open the Imported Files in Eudora

1. In this stage, we have to shift these imported MBOX files whose extension has been changed to the .mbx files. For this, use the Eudora application and save these files to the path below:
   “C: Documents and Settings\Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora
2. Now, open the Eudora application and open the. mbx files that are pasted at the above location. After opening, close the Eudora.

Step3: Import Emails from Eudora to Outlook Express

1. Open and launch the Outlook Express.
2. Click on the File tab, then Import >> Messages.
3. Choose the Eudora application from the list >> Next.
4. Now, add the MBOX files by browsing them.
5. Move ahead by clicking Next.
6. At the end, click on the Finish.

Step4: Import Outlook Express to Outlook

1. Open the Outlook application.
2. Click on the File tab, then Open and Export >> Import/Export.
3. From the next wizard, select Import Internet Mail and Addresses.
4. Click on the Next.
5. Here, choose for the Outlook Express.
6. Now, check the Import mail check box.
7. Click on the Next and finally on the Finish

Method 2. Using IMAP Synchronization

This method is ideal if you have an email account configured in both MBOX-supported and Outlook email clients. It works by syncing emails between the two platforms.

Step1: Add Your IMAP Account to Thunderbird

• Open Thunderbird and add your IMAP email account (e.g., Gmail).

Step2: Import MBOX to Thunderbird

1. Create a local folder in Thunderbird.
2. Drag and drop your MBOX file into this folder.

Step3: Sync with the IMAP Server

1. Move the emails from the local folder to your IMAP account.
2. Thunderbird will sync the emails to the server.

Step4: Add IMAP Account to Outlook

1. Open Outlook and add the same IMAP account.
2. The synced emails will appear in your Outlook inbox.

Method 3. Using Thunderbird as an Intermediate Client

This method allows you to export MBOX data from Thunderbird to Outlook using formats like EML or CSV.

Step1: Set Up Thunderbird

1. Download and install Thunderbird.
2. Import your MBOX file into Thunderbird:
3. Open Thunderbird and create a new local folder.
4. Drag and drop your MBOX file into this folder.

Step2: Install ImportExportTools NG Add-on

1. Go to Thunderbird’s menu and select Add-ons and Themes.
2. Search for ImportExportTools NG and install it.

Step3: Export Emails as EML

1. Right-click on the folder containing your emails.
2. Select ImportExportTools NG > Export All Messages in Folder > EML Format.
3. Save the files to a local folder.

Step4: Import EML Files into Outlook

1. Open Outlook and create a new folder.
2. Drag and drop the exported EML files into this folder.

Method 4. Use Professional tool to open MBOX files to Outlook

As you can see, the above-described manual processes are too lengthy and stressful to perform, so an inexperienced user can’t do them so easily. Therefore, Regain Software has developed an effective professional utility for this purpose. It has a completely automated process.

You don’t need to install multiple email clients, and you don’t need to follow the lengthy process. Just install the Regain MBOX to PST Converter software. Convert your single or multiple MBOX files in a few clicks and use them in MS Outlook without fear of data loss. Regain MBOX Converter tool allow the user to import MBOX files to Office 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, PST, EML, MSG, and many more email format. To check software features, Go through the free version.

Free Download100% Secure Buy NowPrice: $29

What You Will Get with this Professional Utility?

• This professional utility is developed by keeping use-friendliness at the centre of the development process. It has a number of user-centric advanced features to help the user by facilitating the import of MBOX files in Outlook. Some of its highlighted offerings are:
• You can add multiple MBOX files and convert them to PST, and in this way, you can import MBOX files to Outlook.
• Along with converting to PST, you also get options to convert into MSG, EML, PDF, HTML, and other file formats.
• Software facilitates you to directly migrate emails from MBOX to Office 365, MBOX to Gmail, and Yahoo Mail-like prominent platforms.
• It comes with a very user-friendly GUI; any non-technical user can easily convert to PST.
• Its advanced algorithm keeps the data originality intact and keeps all attributes as it is even after conversion.
• This utility is compatible with all Windows versions; hence, there is no need to worry about the versions.

How to use Regain Software to open MBOX files to Outlook?

The conversion steps are so easy, and it’s just a matter of a few single clicks. Keep reading; you will get the step-by-step process below.

1. Install and launch the Regain MBOX Converter tool.
2. Browse and add the MBOX files that you want to convert.
3. After that, you will get a preview of the scanned MBOX files.
4. Select your required file format (for now, PST) and save the location.
5. Lastly, wait a while for the conversion process to complete. You will get a message “ Process has been completed”.

Over to YOU!

In this step-by-step guide, we’ve walked you through the process of importing MBOX files into Microsoft Outlook, a task that can greatly simplify email management and data migration. MBOX is a commonly used email data format, favored by over 20 email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and Eudora. However, when transitioning to Microsoft Outlook, which utilizes the PST (Personal Storage Table) file format, it becomes essential to convert MBOX files to PST.

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the primary reasons users opt to import MBOX files into Outlook. Additionally, we’ve presented four distinct methods for achieving this objective, encompassing both manual techniques and an automated solution. Must download and try the free demo version of Regain MBOX Converter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is it necessary to convert MBOX files to PST when importing them into Outlook?

Ans: PST (Personal Storage Table) is Outlook’s native email data format. Converting MBOX to PST ensures compatibility and a seamless transition of email data into the Outlook platform.

Q2: Can I perform the MBOX to Outlook import manually?

Ans: Yes, there are manual methods available, such as using multiple email clients or configuring Gmail IMAP. However, these approaches can be complex and time-consuming. An automated tool like the Regain MBOX Converter offers a more straightforward and user-friendly solution.

Q3: Is the Regain MBOX Converter tool safe to use?
Ans: Yes, the Regain MBOX Converter is a reputable and secure software designed for converting MBOX files to various formats, including PST. Always download it from a trusted source and follow the provided instructions.

Q4: Can I use the Regain MBOX Converter for email services other than Outlook?
Ans: Absolutely, the Regain MBOX Converter supports multiple email formats and services, including Office 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, EML, MSG, and more. Its versatility makes it suitable for various email management needs.

Q5: Are there any free options for converting MBOX to PST?
Ans: While there are free tools available for this purpose, they may come with limitations or be less user-friendly than paid solutions like the Regain MBOX Converter. Free options might also lack support and updates, potentially posing data security risks.

Q6: Can I directly import MBOX files into Outlook?

Ans: Outlook doesn’t natively support MBOX files. To import MBOX into Outlook, you’ll need to convert them into a compatible format like EML or PST using tools like Thunderbird or Regain MBOX to PST Converter.

Q7: Do I need additional software to import MBOX files into Outlook?
Ans: Yes, you will need Thunderbird and the ImportExportTools NG plugin. This plugin helps you export MBOX files as EML, which can then be imported into Outlook.

Q8: Can I import all MBOX emails into Outlook at once?
Ans: Yes, you can export all emails from a folder to EML format and import them into Outlook in one go. Just drag and drop the saved EML files into an Outlook folder.

Q9: Can I import MBOX emails from multiple accounts into Outlook?
Ans: You can. That’s it. Reiterate the steps for each MBOX file for an account in Thunderbird. Then import each group of emails into individual folders in Outlook.

Q10: Can I import MBOX files from any email client to Outlook?
Ans: Yes, if your email client supports MBOX (like Thunderbird or Apple Mail), you can easily export emails and then import them into MS Outlook. However, you’ll need Thunderbird email client to process the conversion.

Q11: Is there an easier way to import MBOX to Outlook without manual steps?
Ans: If you want the simplest solution that does not need manual steps, you can apply the Regain MBOX to PST Converter tool. That tool will automate the migration process and make it smoother for your emails to appear in Outlook.