Convert MBOX to MSG – Recommended Solutions
Have you ever experienced email management issues during a switch between different email file formats? If yes, then your struggles may be between the MBOX and MSG data switch. MBOX is a file format used by email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail to store emails in a single textual file. It lists one email after another and can be easily edited on text editors like Microsoft Notepad.
On the other hand, MSG file finds usage in Microsoft Outlook for data export outside Outlook itself. This file format has a structured data set, including the sender, subject, date, and recipient of the email, besides other details like attachments, contacts, calendars, etc. If you are looking for solutions to convert MBOX to MSG, read this blog post to know them besides the reasons for the data export!
Why Email Users Look to Export MBOX Data to MSG?
There are many reasons for converting MBOX email file data to MSG, and we will mention some of them in the following points:
a. Outlook Compatibility: The first reason for the data conversion is that the MSG file is compatible with Microsoft Outlook, while the MBOX file isn’t. Shifting your MBOX file data to the Outlook-friendly MSG format ensures your emails, contacts, and other email data get easily transferred without any hassles. Moreover, this data export process ensures email consolidation under one place.
b. Email Security: Another reason to convert MBOX to MSG relates to email safety. Since MBOX files pose data risks like lack of encryption and malware vulnerability, email users minimize or completely avoid using them for email data management. On the other hand, MSG files offer data integrity, email encryption, and DLP (Data Loss Prevention) integration, making them more secure for email data storage. Moreover, Outlook’s multi-factor authentication, anti-spam and anti-malware filters enhance the security of the MSG files.
c. Data Search and Management: The third reason to export MBOX data to MSG is data management and searching. Since MBOX files store emails in a single file, finding and managing emails becomes a laborious task. Meanwhile, MSG email data gets stored in individual files, which makes email searching and management easier for users.
These reasons highlight the importance for MBOX to MSG data conversion, and the following section explores the solutions for the same. Read this blog till the end to perfectly understand the data conversion methods!
How to Convert MBOX to MSG?
The reasons mentioned in the previous section compel MBOX file users to convert their data to MSG format. This section will explore two solutions – manual and automated – for data conversion.
Manual Method For MBOX Data Transfer to MSG
The manual process to export MBOX data to MSG involves using the Mozilla Thunderbird app simultaneously with the Outlook app. Moreover, this process also includes the usage of the ImportExportTools NG add-in on the Thunderbird app for converting the MBOX data to EML and then uploading the EML data to Outlook. At last, you have to save this EML data to MSG to convert MBOX to MSG. We will mention the entire conversion method in two steps.
Step 1: Convert MBOX to Email Format
1. Download the Thunderbird app or open it if already installed.
2. Select the MBOX data folder, right-click on it, and select the ImportExportTools NG menu.
3. Now, click on the Export All Messages in Folder menu and select the EML Message Format option.
4. Then, select either Messages and HTML Index or Messages and Index with Subfolders.
5. At last, choose your preferred location and click Select Folder to convert MBOX data to EML.
Step 2: Change Step 1 Output File to MSG Format
1. Now, open the Outlook app on your computer.
2. Next, navigate to the EML folder and select all the converted EML files.
3. Use the Drag & Drop or Copy & Paste method to add the EML files to the Outlook app.
4. Go to File, click on the Save As option, and select the Outlook Message Format (.msg) to save one EML file in MSG format.
5. Repeat the same process for other emails.
This MBOX to MSG data conversion process looks simple but presents many limitations. We will mention them in the following section.
Drawbacks of the Manual Method
Even though the manual solution to export MBOX data to MSG looks easy for data conversion, it has limitations that restrict its usage. We will mention them in the following points:
a. This process is time-consuming due to the steps involved in the entire data conversion process.
b. Another drawback is the possible email data alteration or loss.
c. It doesn’t have any bulk data conversion facility.
d. You must have technical knowledge to use this method to convert MBOX to MSG.
Now that we have learned the drawbacks of the manual solution regarding MBOX to MSG data export, we will explore the best method for data transfer in the next section.
Professional Solution For MBOX to MSG Data Conversion
Since we can’t rely on the manual solution to convert your MBOX file to MSG due to its restrictions, we present the perfect method for the data conversion process – automated software. The SysTools MBOX Converter Tool has many robust features for a seamless and error-free MBOX data conversion to MSG. You can convert email data from multiple MBOX files to MSG format with intact data and folder structure. Moreover, it supports MBOX files from various email clients, like Thunderbird and Eudora. This software is compatible with all Windows versions, making it a reliable medium to export MBOX data to MSG.
Steps For MBOX to MSG Data Export Process
1. Download the software on your computer.
2. Run it and click Add File to add the MBOX file(s).
3. Select the desired file addition option from Default Profile Configured or Select File(s)/Folder from the File System.
4. Click Export or Export Selected to begin the process to convert MBOX to MSG.
5. Next, select MSG as the resultant file format.
6. Now, click on the Advanced Settings button and use the Naming Convention and Date Filter options.
7. Click Browse to select the location for the resultant MSG file(s).
8. Check the Maintain Folder Hierarchy button and click Export to export MBOX data to MSG.
9. Go to the selected location to view the converted MSG file(s).
Note: You can download the demo version and test the software’s performance by exporting twenty-five items from the MBOX file per folder to the MSG format. Once you have decided to convert the entire MBOX data file, buy the full version and convert multiple MBOX files to MSG with total comfort.
Conclusion
We discussed the solutions and reasons to convert MBOX to MSG in this blog post. The reasons mentioned here necessitate urgent MBOX data file conversion to MSG format. The manual solution listed in the blog looks easy to work with, but it has certain drawbacks that restrict its usage. Hence, the automated software described here is the perfect method to export MBOX data to MSG with an intact data structure and no data loss.
