How to Convert MBOX to PST for Free?

This article describes the best solutions on How to Convert MBOX to PST file format for free. It consists of both manuals as well as the automatic approach to do this. However, if you want a risk-free solution, you should directly opt for the third-party MBOX to PST converter tool.

Thunderbird, Google Takeout, SeaMonkey, Apple Mail, Mozilla, and other popular email clients generate or support MBOX file format. However, the MBOX file is typically used by these email clients to store email messages. But nowadays, several users prefer to convert MBOX file data into another email client file such as Microsoft Outlook PST.

MS Outlook is a popular application that uses PST data files to store emails, contacts, calendar items, tasks, notes, etc. However, Outlook is an ideal choice for businesses that provide better features & outstanding services as compared to other email clients. Hence, such services force users to export MBOX to Outlook PST file format.

So, if you’re one user and want to convert MBOX to PST, read this post till the end.

Table of Contents

Why Do Users Convert MBOX to Outlook PST File?

Every user may have their own reasons for converting. MBOX to .PST, but there’re some major reasons why users initiate this. A few of the potential reasons are listed below:

Offline Access– Outlook application offers offline access to the emails & other features.
Security and Privacy– MS Outlook provides better privacy & security features as compared other email clients.
Ideal Choice for Businesses– Due to the innovative features to manage email, tasks, calendars, etc., users prefer Outlook email clients.
Accessibility– Outlook is accessible from various OS, like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Data Backup– Outlook PST files are an appropriate tactic to back up your email data.
Archiving– PST files are used for archiving purposes to help you organize and store old emails and attachments in a structured manner, thereby reducing clutter in your main mailbox.

Methods to Convert MBOX to PST File Format For Free

In this section, we will mention some tried & tested ways to convert MBOX file to Outlook PST file format. Let’s try them.

Note: Before converting the MBOX file by applying the below techniques, ensure to create a backup of your MBOX file.

Method 1- Use Various Email Clients

This method needs the installation of Apple Mail, Outlook Express, Eudora, and Microsoft Outlook application on your PC. Once you’ve all of these, follow the below steps:

Step 1- Importing the Mailbox Data to an Apple Mail

On your computer, you have to launch Apple Mail.
Then, click File >> Import Mailboxes option.
Now, choose the MBOX file (source) >> tap Continue.
Under a browse wizard, you have to opt for MBOX files >> click Continue.
After completion of this process, simply click Done.

Step 2- Use Eudora to Create the New Mailbox

First rename & add .mbox file extension to an imported file.
Then, move them to the Eudora directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora

When done, simply open Eudora >> double-click the .mbx file.
Later, close Eudora application.

Step 3- Import MBOX file from Eudora to Outlook Express

Start the Outlook Express >> go to the File >> Click Import >> Messages.

Choose Eudora from an appearing list of the email applications >> click Next.
Now, go to the location to select the .mbox file >> click Ok.
After this, click on Next >> Next >> Finish.
The imported file will be saved to the Local Folders of Outlook Express.

Step 4- Move Mailbox from Outlook Express to MS Outlook

Start MS Outlook.
Click on File menu >> then Open & Export >> Import/Export option.

Choose Import “from another program or files” >> click Next button.
Select an option “Import Internet Mail and Addresses” >> tap on Next.

At this time, choose “Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x, or window mail” >> hit Next button.

After that, opt for a file to import & export from a browser option >> click Next.
To finish the process, click Finish button.

Method 2- MBOX to PST Conversion Using the Thunderbird & MS Outlook

Another solution that you can try to convert MBOX files to PST by using both Thunderbird & MS Outlook.

Here are the step-wise instructions to do this task:

Step 1- Saving Thunderbird .MBOX Emails in the EML Files

Open Thunderbird email client >> right-click on a folder >> choose the option “New Folder”.

Enter the Name >> click Create Folder.

Choose the required emails to convert & send them to the new folder.
After that, select entire email >> choose the option “Save As” option. The emails will now save in EML format at a preferred location.

At this time, open a folder where the EML files are stored.
Now, using the drag-and-drop technique, you have to move the EML files to an Outlook App.

Step 2- Convert the MBOX (EML files) to .PST format

Open Outlook, then go to the File menu >> click Open & Export >> Import/Export.

Under Import/Export wizard, choose “Export to a file” >> click Next button.

Next, choose the Outlook Data File (.pst) >> click Next option.

Go to a folder that contains the EML files >> click Next button.
Provide a location where you want to save a new PST file >> select a wanted option from a list.
Click on Finish button.
Finally, the EML files are converted to PST files.

That’s it.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

Manual ways are lengthy & time-consuming.
Requires technical skills.
The manual process needs the installation of several email clients.
Cannot skip a single step.

Time to Summing Up

The MBOX to PST conversion for free is a tedious task, by following the above step-wise methods you can easily do so. However, the manual approaches don’t give 100% assurance for secure conversion.

For quick, instant, and safe resolution, you can use a specialized MBOX to PST converter, such as Stellar Converter for MBOX. The software’s interface is tremendously user-friendly that allows you to execute MBOX conversion in a few simple steps.

Haris Virk

He is a passionate blogger and tech-savvy guy who loves to discover the stuff related to technology and social media. Currently, he is pursuing his graduation from the University of Lahore.