How to Import MBOX to Outlook – A Complete Steps Guide

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 to Outlook for better management and accessibility. In this guide, we’ll explore how to import MBOX folders in 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 Import MBOX to Outlook?

There are various reasons exist for why users want to convert MBOX folders to Outlook. 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 Open MBOX Files in Outlook Free?

Follow the below steps guide to import MBOX into Outlook freely:

1. Download and install the Thunderbird email client.
2. Next, in Thunderbird, go to Add-ons and install “ImportExportTools NG.”
3. Now, right-click “Local Folders,” select “Import MBOX file,” and choose your MBOX file.
4. Then, open the imported folder, select all emails, right-click, and select “Save as” to save them as EML files.
5. In the end, create a folder in Outlook for the emails.
6. Right-click each EML file, “Open with Outlook,” and use “Move” to transfer to the new folder.

Import MBOX into Outlook Manually

To manually import MBOX to Outlook, you’ll need to use both Thunderbird and Outlook, connecting each with the same email account via IMAP. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Thunderbird application.
2. Now, go to “Menu Bar” and click the “Account Settings”.
3. Next, click “Account Actions” and then select “Add Mail Account”.
4. Here, enter your email credentials and then press “Continue”.
5. Then, go to the “MBOX” file you imported into Thunderbird.
6. Now, right-click on it and select “Move to.” Then, choose your “Email account” and the mailbox folders where you want to import the MBOX file.
7. Next, start “Outlook,” go to the “Menu” tab, and then to the “File” section.
8. Select “Add Account” to start the configuration.
9. Enter your email credentials and click “Connect”.
10. 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 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 to Open MBOX Files in 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 import 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 files into Outlook without encountering file size limitations or data loss issues, simply follow the steps guide below.

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How to Import MBOX to Outlook Easily?

1. Download, install, and launch the automated MBOX to Outlook Converter on your local system.
2. Next, upload your MBOX files or folders by using dual options.
3. Now, choose the required folders or files as per your needs, which you want to import MBOX to Outlook.
4. Thereafter, select the saving option as “PST” from the drop-down list.
5. Then, specify the destination location, where you want to save the resultant files.
6. After applying all the settings, press the “Convert” button to begin the conversion procedure.
7. After the conversion process is completed a message will pop up, press “OK” to proceed further. 
8. 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. 

How to Import Resultant Files to MS Outlook?

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

FAQs

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 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 and import process.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have discussed how to import MBOX 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.