How to Import MBOX File to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016? Complete Guide

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On December 5th, 2024

Reading Time 8 Minutes Reading

Summary- Are you searching for an easy and simple approach to import MBOX file to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013 and older versions, but don’t know how to start it? If yes, then you’re in the right blog post. In this technical write-up, we’ll explain how to open MBOX file in Outlook easily and safely with the help of step-by-step guide. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to complete this task successfully.

MBOX files are used to store email messages in a single file, acting as a container for all your emails. While, Outlook uses PST files, which not only store emails but also organize contacts, calendars, and other data efficiently within the Outlook environment.

Because PST files are optimized for use with Outlook, many users prefer to import MBOX file to Outlook for better management and accessibility. In this guide, we’ll explore how to convert MBOX folders to PST Outlook easily and securely, ensuring that all your data is preserved.

So, without wasting any more time, let’s begin the technical write-up. Read this write-up carefully until the end to learn all the methods to complete this migration procedure easily and securely.

Why Do Users Want to Open MBOX File in Outlook?

There are various reasons exist for why users want to import MBOX file to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and other editions. In the section below, we have listed some of the common reasons why users wish to complete this task.

Users want to access and manage their email data from various email clients like Microsoft Outlook. By migrating MBOX files, users can merge their email data with MS Outlook to manage and organize all data in one place.
MBOX files are not compatible with Outlook. Users may be concerned about the security of MBOX files and want to migrate to a platform with better security and compatibility, such as Outlook.
Outlook offers advanced features and updates for users. Users may want to take advantage of these features, such as calendar integration, task management, or contact synchronization, by importing their MBOX files into Outlook.
Users may want to preserve their email data and create a backup by importing MBOX files into Outlook, ensuring data availability and minimizing the risk of data loss.

How to Import MBOX File to Outlook Account?

Here we will describe three different methods to upload MBOX files to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and older editions. We will add files through drag and drop and by connecting accounts. All the details and step by step guide are given below:

Important Note: We will use Thunderbird and Gmail as mediator email client. So, download and having an email address is required.

Method 1: Convert MBOX to Outlook through Drag & Drop

Start your Thunderbird account.
Go to Add-ons and install “ImportExportTools NG.”.
Click on the “Tools”.
Choose “Import MBOX file” option.
Choose your MBOX file from the machine.
After uploading files, right click on the folder.
Choose “Tools” >> “ImportExportTools NG” >> “Export All Messages in the Folder” >> “EML format”.
And your all emails will save as .eml format at the selected path.

Now, head to the location where your all files are saving as .eml and click right of your mouse on any needed email, select Open With > Outlook option from the appearing list.

Your EML file will open in Outlook successfully, now follow the same steps again for each .eml file. You can’t import multiple files at once. So, this method will be suitable for small data files.

Method 2: How to Import MBOX File to Outlook using Gmail?

Here you have to follow multiple steps to open MBOX file in Outlook account. Follow steps carefully, one wrong step can lose your data.

Open the Thunderbird application.
Go to “Tools (Menu)” and click the “Account Settings”.
Next, click “Account Actions” and then select “Add Mail Account”.
Here, enter your email credentials and then press “Continue”.
After configuration, go to the “MBOX” file you imported into Thunderbird.
Now, right-click on it and select “Move to.” Then, choose your “Email Account” and the mailbox folders where you want to import MBOX file to Gmail.

Now we will connect similar account into Outlook Account.

Start “Outlook,” go to the “File” section.
Select “Add Account” to start the configuration.
Enter your email credentials and click “Connect”.
Follow the prompts from your email provider and select “Password” to proceed.

Now, Outlook will verify your email information and add your account. After that, you can open all your imported MBOX files directly within Outlook.

Why Manual Methods Are Not Recommended?

Manual methods to import MBOX file to Outlook have several drawbacks, including the risk of data loss or corruption if the process is not executed correctly. As we have seen, these manual solutions involve various technical steps, which can confuse users with less experience. Additionally, this process is very time-consuming, especially for those handling large volumes of emails.

How Import MBOX File to Outlook Using Automated Solution?

As we have seen the manual approaches come with multiple drawbacks, which is not good for the users. Hence, to overcome these drawbacks users can use a reliable, robust, and simple automated solution like Turgs MBOX Converter.

With the help of this utility, you can easily open your MBOX folders to Outlook in bulk at once without facing any restrictions. Additionally, the software provides a user-friendly and simple interface that is easy to navigate. Thus, to import MBOX file to Outlook without encountering file size limitations or data loss issues, simply follow the steps guide below.

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Complete Steps to Open MBOX File in Outlook?

Download, install, and launch the automated MBOX to Outlook Converter on your local system.
Next, upload your MBOX files or folders by using dual options.
Now, choose the required folders or files as per your needs, which you want to import MBOX to Outlook.
Thereafter, select the saving option as “PST” from the drop-down list.
Then, specify the destination location, where you want to save the resultant files. specify destination location.
After applying all the settings, press the “Convert” button to begin the import MBOX file to Outlook procedure.
After the conversion process is completed, a message will pop up, press “OK” to proceed further.
At the end, the software automatically opens the saving location, which you specified earlier.
Now, you have successfully converted MBOX files to Outlook data files. So, now follow the below steps to import the resultant files to the Outlook email client.

<Now, you have successfully converted MBOX files to Outlook data files. So, now follow the below steps to import the resultant files to the Outlook email client.

How to Import Resultant Files to MS Outlook?

Open Outlook on your computer and go to the “File” menu.
Next, select “Open & Export” then press “Import/Export”.
After that, select “Import from Another Program or File” and click “Next”.
Select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click “Next” again.
Finally, view the imported MBOX files in Outlook.

Troubleshooting Guide

Q1: What’s the difference between MBOX and PST files?
Answer:MBOX files only store email messages, while PST files which are used by Outlook can store emails, contacts, calendar entries, and other data. Microsoft Outlook is specifically designed to work with PST files.

Q2: Is there a free method to import MBOX file to Outlook?
Answer:Yes, there’s a free manual method involving Thunderbird and the ImportExportTools NG add-on. This process converts MBOX to EML files, allowing them to be imported into Outlook.

Q3: Can I import multiple MBOX files to Outlook at once?
Answer:With manual methods, you’d need to process each file separately. However, the automated solution that we mentioned above allows batch processing of multiple MBOX files simultaneously.

Q4: Will I lose any data when importing MBOX to Outlook?
Answer:When done correctly, you shouldn’t lose data. Yet, there’s always a risk with manual methods. However, the expert-recommended above-mentioned automated tool ensures data integrity during the conversion process.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have discussed how to import MBOX file to Outlook with complete data easily and securely. Here, we have talked about multiple manual solutions to complete this migration process.

However, as we have seen the manual approaches come with numerous drawbacks, which are not suitable for the user. Therefore, it’s a wise option to go with the automated solution to open MBOX files in MS Outlook. Additionally, the professional solution offers a free demo version of the software to users to try the features and functionalities of the utility.