How to Convert MBOX to EML? – Top Solutions

Are you looking for solutions to convert MBOX to EML? You have arrived at the right blog post! We will explore the best methods for data conversion and the reasons for the MBOX to EML file conversion. Read this blog post until the end to learn about the entire data export process!

The MBOX file format contains emails in a single file and finds usage in email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail. It sequentially lists emails and is easily editable on Microsoft Notepad and other text editors. On the other hand, EML file is a plain text email file format containing the email content besides the date, sender, and receiver details. Similar to the MBOX file, EML file finds usage in Mozilla Thunderbird, but for saving individual emails to the computer. Microsoft Outlook is another email client that has EML file compatibility.

Reasons for MBOX to EML File Conversion

Many reasons necessitate MBOX to EML data export, and we will mention some of them in the following points:

• Broader Compatibility: EML file format finds compatibility with more email clients compared to the MBOX format. Moreover, email users can easily access the EML file on Windows and Mac platforms compared to the MBOX data format. Email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, and Apple Mail support EML files, while the MBOX finds major usage in Thunderbird and Apple Mail.
• Email Management and Easy Sharing: Another reason to convert MBOX to EML relates to email accessibility and easy sharing. Since EML files store emails individually, it becomes easier to share specific emails without requiring to share the entire mailbox just like the MBOX files. Moreover, you can open, view, and manage/edit EML files without extracting them from a larger data file as compared to the MBOX files.
• Data Backup and Compliance: Many email users export MBOX data file to EML due to better email backup and compliance facilities offered by the latter. Since every email gets stored in a single file in EML format, it becomes simple to backup specific messages without backing up the entire mailbox. Moreover, EML data file offers long-term data storage and legal compliance facilities due to their easy handling and email retrieval, which makes them crucial for legal proceedings.

These reasons explain the requirement for MBOX to EML file conversion. We will now explore the solutions in the next section, so keep reading!

Read More: How to Bulk Convert Outlook MSG to EML File Format?

How to Convert MBOX to EML? – Top Methods

We will now explore the solutions to export MBOX data file to EML in this section, beginning with the manual data conversion method, followed by the professional solution.

Manual Solution

The manual solution here involves three approaches – Drag & Drop, Save As, and the ImportExportTools NG add-in – all for the Thunderbird application.

Workaround 1: Drag and Drop Method

• Open Mozilla Thunderbird on your Windows computer.
• Go to the MBOX folder and select all the emails using the Ctrl + A command.
• Drag and drop the emails to a new folder on your computer.
• Mozilla Thunderbird will save them in EML format.

Workaround 2: Save As Feature

Another method to export MBOX data file to EML is to use the Save As feature for the data conversion process.

• Open the Thunderbird app and go to the MBOX folder.
• Select all emails using the Ctrl + A command and right-click on them.
• Now, click on Save As and select a folder to convert them in EML format.

Workaround 3: ImportExportTools NG add-in

The last approach to convert MBOX to EML involves uploading the MBOX file through the ImportExportTools NG add-in (not incorporated into the Thunderbird app) and convert it into EML.

• Install the ImportExportTools NG add-in and restart the Thunderbird app.
• Now, right-click on the Local Folders and select the ImportExportTools NG menu.
• Select the Import MBOX Files option and click on the Individual MBOX Files option.
• Browse your computer to add the MBOX file.
• Right-click on the added MBOX file and select the ImportExportTools NG menu once again.
• Next, click Export All Messages in Folder and choose EML Message Format.
• Now, you have to pick your desired option from either Messages and HTML Index or Messages and Index with Subfolders.
• Finally, select the desired location and convert MBOX to EML using the Select Folder button.

These workarounds for MBOX to EML file conversion look simple to shift MBOX data to EML and many users will attempt any of them for a swift data conversion. However, these approaches present certain limitations, and we will mention them in the next section.

Why Manual Methods Fail to Convert MBOX Data to EML?

• These workarounds are time-consuming due to the time taken for data conversion according to your MBOX database size.
• The third workaround involves technical prowess for the data conversion process.
• There is a possibility of data hierarchy or structure loss using these methods to export MBOX data file to EML.

These drawbacks restrict the usage of the manual workarounds. We will now explore the best data conversion solution in the following section, so keep reading!

Read More: How to Convert MBOX to PST? – Detailed Solutions

Professional Method for MBOX to EML Mailbox Conversion

Now that the manual workarounds are unreliable to convert MBOX to EML, we will discuss the perfect method for data conversion – automated software. The software we mention here works to convert your MBOX file data to EML with complete data structure intactness. The SysTools MBOX Converter Software is your best choice with a range of high-end features for error-free MBOX to EML file conversion.

Download Now Purchase Now

Export MBOX data file to EML with the Software

1. Install and run the tool on your Windows OS computer.

2. Now, click the Add File button to add MBOX file(s).

3. Choose the preferred option – Default Profile Configured or Select File(s)/Folder from the File System.

4. Next, click Export or Export Selected button to convert MBOX to EML.

5. Then, select the EML format as the resultant file export format.

6. Click the Advanced Settings button and select Naming Convention and Date Filter as per your preference.

7. Next, click the Browse button to select the desired location.

8. Check the Maintain Folder Hierarchy button to ensure intact file structure during the conversion process.
9. Finally, export MBOX data file to EML by clicking the Export button.

10. Open the destination folder to view the converted EML files.

Conclusion

We explored the solutions to convert MBOX to EML in this blog post, besides the reasons for the email data conversion. The reasons listed here compel email users to move their MBOX data to the EML format. The manual workarounds mentioned here look easy for MBOX to EML file conversion but pose limitations. Hence, the automated software discussed in the blog is an excellent solution to convert the MBOX data file to EML with intact data structure and no alteration.