Learn How to Export Outlook to MBOX Files – Easy Guide

What Demanded the Need to Export Outlook Email to MBOX?

Outlook:

• A platform by Microsoft to manage email, contacts, calendars, etc.
• Stores data with .pst extension and creates separate file for each account.
• Subscription and other plans are costly. Also, profiles get easily corrupted.

MBOX:

• Mailbox format containing multiple emails in one file.
• Stores data with .mbox extension.
• Simple to use with multiple clients and cloud platforms.

Moving ahead, the typical user likely considers to export MBOX from Outlook as a transition to a different tool or platform. The reality of exporting Outlook to MBOX is usually related to platform independence. This includes:

• Data Portability: Your correspondences are no longer locked only to one email client.
• Future-proofed Archive: MBOX is still the most widely accepted, text-based format, and is the least prone to corruption.
• Vendor Flexibility: No longer being locked into Microsoft formats. MBOX allows you to shift to an open-source and cross-platform environment.
• Consistent Experience: Maintain folder structure with time-stamped chronological messages, while having read/unread status and attachments visible on the target client.

How Users Can Export Outlook to MBOX?

There are two ways for this process: Manual and Automated. Both methods can be performed with these step-by-step guides mentioned here.

Convert Outlook to MBOX Traditionally

With the IMAP configuration, you can perform the Outlook to MBOX conversion for free:

1. In Outlook, set up an email account that supports IMAP (like Gmail/Thunderbird) if you have not previously done so.
2. Then, move or copy as many of the folders or emails in Outlook to this new IMAP account as you want to keep.
3. Further, wait until the data is synced in the configured IMAP account.
4. After that, open Google Takeout (if imported in Gmail) and extract the data in a ZIP.
5. It will be in the MBOX format when extracted from the downloaded .zip file.
6. Or else, open Thunderbird and allow all messages to synchronize to Thunderbird.
7. Later, install ImportExportTools NG in Thunderbird and right-click the folder with Outlook emails after sync.
8. Finally, choose ImportExport and opt for Export Folder (mbox). Choose a destination and press Select Folder.

Pros:

• It is free and utilizes tools you are likely already familiar with.

Cons:

• It is time-consuming, as you are copying and pasting emails manually.
• You will require both Outlook and Gmail or Thunderbird.
• Potential issues with actually missing flags or folders, attachments, or lost data.
• The process can be complex if you are not aware of the platforms or don’t have technical knowledge.

Export Outlook to MBOX Files Professionally

If you need to go for a direct solution, then use the SysInfo Outlook Converter Tool. It is easy to use and needs no effort, like the manual methods. Plus, you get amazing filters to skip duplicates, selectively convert the data, and much more. Moreover, using it you can import Outlook contacts to iPhone or any other device as desired with folders maintained, data integrity preserved, and 100% accuracy and security.

Besides this, the process for conversion is easy to follow, too. It just has 5 simple steps.

Quick Export Outlook Mail to MBOX

1. Download and install this credible Outlook to MBOX Converter Tool.
2. Then, add one or more Outlook data files (ext PST) with Open. Tap Next.
3. Further, select the folders from the tree structure in the preview pane. Hit Next.
4. Later, choose the MBOX format as the output for accessing data in other clients.
5. Finally, apply filters, choose your target location, and tap Convert.

Pros:

• Batch processes multiple PST data files and supports their conversion in one go.
• Preserves attachments, metadata, and folder structure for items.
• Reduced labor and risk of work and error with conversion in the minimal possible time.

Cons:

• Users need to get the licensed version for complete mailbox conversion. However, it still has a plus point, i.e., you can get the Demo Version for evaluation and conversion of upto 50 emails per folder for free.

Conclusion

In this blog, we examined how export Outlook to MBOX files shows a commitment to long-term access to your email. A manual IMAP-based method may meet your lightweight, simple needs, but as needs increase in growth or enterprise scale, using a converter is a better and safer solution. Also, when done correctly, the MBOX files will not only preserve your messages but will also preserve the integrity of your history, context, and communication across different platforms.

FAQs

About The Author:

Suman Rawat

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.