Import Outlook Express DBX to Roundcube: Step-by-Step Guide
Importing Outlook Express DBX files to Roundcube requires converting the DBX format to IMAP-compatible emails. The Turgs DBX Converter connects to your Roundcube account via IMAP and transfers all DBX emails directly, preserving folder structure and attachments. Free trial migrates 25 emails per folder.
Outlook Express stores your emails in DBX files. Roundcube is a web-based IMAP client.
The two formats are completely different and there is no direct import path between them. You need a converter that reads DBX and writes to Roundcube via IMAP. This guide covers how to import Outlook Express DBX to Roundcube step by step.
What Is a DBX File?
DBX is the email storage format used by Outlook Express (Windows XP and earlier). Each folder in Outlook Express (Inbox, Sent Items, custom folders) is stored as a separate DBX file. The default location is usually:
C:Documents and Settings[Username]Local SettingsApplication DataIdentities{GUID}MicrosoftOutlook Express
DBX files cannot be read by modern email clients without conversion. You need a tool that understands the DBX format and can extract the email data.
How to Import DBX to Roundcube
Download and install the Turgs DBX Converter on your Windows PC. The free trial migrates 25 emails per folder so you can verify the Roundcube import before purchasing.
Step-by-Step: DBX to Roundcube Migration
Step 1. Launch the Turgs DBX Converter. You see the main interface with the file loading panel.
Step 2. Choose how to load your DBX files. You can use Add Files to select individual DBX files or Add Folder to load all DBX files from your Outlook Express folder at once.
Step 3. Select the DBX files you want to import to Roundcube. Tick the checkboxes next to the folders you need.
Step 4. From the saving options, choose IMAP or Roundcube as the destination. Enter your Roundcube server address, email address and password.
Step 5. Set the destination folder path in Roundcube where the emails will be imported.
Step 6. Click the More Options button if you need to configure advanced settings such as date filters or folder mapping.
Step 7. Click Import to start the migration. You see a live progress indicator showing how many emails are being transferred.
Step 8. Browse to the destination folder in the file system to verify the imported emails if needed.
Step 9. When the migration is complete, a confirmation message appears. Log into Roundcube webmail to verify your emails arrived in the correct folders.
What Gets Preserved in the Migration
- Folder structure. Each DBX file becomes a folder in Roundcube with the same name.
- Email metadata. Sender, recipients, subject and date all carry over correctly.
- Attachments. All file attachments embedded in the original Outlook Express emails transfer intact.
- Email body. Plain text and HTML formatted emails both convert correctly.
If you are migrating from other legacy email clients, the guide on importing MSG files to Thunderbird covers a similar conversion workflow. And if you need to export from Roundcube to another platform later, see the guide on migrating ISP email to Gmail.
Are you migrating from an old Windows XP machine, or accessing archived DBX files from a backup?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import DBX to Roundcube directly without intermediate files?
Yes. The Turgs DBX Converter connects to Roundcube via IMAP and transfers emails directly. No intermediate MBOX or EML file is required, though the tool also supports exporting to those formats if you need them.
Where are Outlook Express DBX files stored?
The default location is C:Documents and Settings[Username]Local SettingsApplication DataIdentities[GUID]MicrosoftOutlook Express on Windows XP. On Windows Vista and later, Outlook Express was replaced by Windows Mail, which uses a different format.
How do I find my Roundcube IMAP settings?
Contact your hosting provider or check your cPanel email account settings. Roundcube uses standard IMAP. The server address is typically mail.yourdomain.com on port 993 with SSL/TLS.
Will the migration work with large DBX files?
Yes. Outlook Express DBX files can reach up to 2 GB before they corrupt. The Turgs DBX Converter reads DBX files up to this limit and extracts all readable emails even from partially corrupt files.
Can I migrate from multiple Outlook Express identities?
Yes. Each Outlook Express identity stores its DBX files in a separate folder. Load each identity’s DBX folder separately and import them into the corresponding Roundcube account.
Does the tool support Windows Vista or Windows 7?
Yes. The Turgs DBX Converter runs on Windows XP through Windows 11. DBX files from any Outlook Express version can be processed.
