How to Open MBOX files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007?

Complete Guide on How to Open MBOX in Outlook

This article provides detailed information on how to view MBOX files in Outlook and what is the need for the same? MBOX is the basic file format for Mozilla Thunderbird, Entourage, Mac Mail, Eudora, Spicebird, Berkeley, MailCopa, The Bat!, PocoMail, EarthMail, etc. All the messages for each MBOX are stored as an individual, lengthy, text files in a series of concatenated emails, starting with the header of the messages. MS Outlook is one of the widely used email application that uses PST and OST files to store emails. MBOX files and Outlook PST files are completely different file formats. MBOX file format is supported by so many email applications, but PST is only supported by MS Outlook.

User Query: "I was using Thunderbird as it was completely free. But later I started using Outlook as some of my needs would be better satisfied using the same. But the problem is that now I want to read MBOX files in Outlook. Is there any reliable solution for this?"

Need: Open MBOX in Outlook

With the increasing popularity of Microsoft Outlook, one of the most common scenarios is how to open MBOX files in Outlook 2013. Even after MBOX being a flexible file format and supported by various email applications,   users are often in search of how to view MBOX files in Outlook as it provides so many attractive features to its users and PST is a well organized and secure way to store essential data. Apart from this, there are some more reasons that take a way on the need to open MBOX in Outlook.

• MBOX files include only email messages in order while MS Outlook mailbox, users can store emails, contacts, journals, notes, calendar events, etc.
• It is not necessary to have an Internet connection to access previously downloaded emails and users can even work offline with the help of Outlook.

Manual Solution: Open MBOX in Outlook

How to view MBOX files in Outlook using the manual method? It would require many email applications. Take the backup of MBOX files before starting the process

Step 1:  In AppleMail
• Launch AppleMail and click on File>>Import Mailboxes
• Choose the program from where the data is to be imported, under Import data from:
• Click on Continue button and give location where MBOX files are stored on system
• Choose MBOX data files that you want to import and click Choose
• Select desired items and click Continue
• Click on Done and browse the Import section in the mailboxes list

Step 2: In Eudora

• Add MBOX file extension to the file that is imported.
• Move this to Eudora directory. Default location of the file is
“C: Documents and Settings<user>Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora”
• Open Eudora and double-click on the test MBOX.mbx and close the application

Step 3: In Outlook Express

• Launch Outlook Express
• Go to File >> Import >> Messages
• Choose Eudora from the list of email applications and choose Next
• Browse the location to select the .mbx file and click OK
• Click on Next >> Next >> Finish

Step 4:  In MS Outlook

• Go to File>>Open, in MS Outlook
• Now, from the available list choose Import and then Import and Export Wizard
• Choose Import Internet Mail and Addresses and click Next
• Choose Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x or Window Mail
• Make sure that the option of Import Mail is checked and click Next
• Now the users can open MBOX in Outlook

Limitations of Manual Method

In the above procedure to open MBOX file in Outlook 2010, many email clients take part to perform the MBOX file conversion, and this leads to the drawbacks such as:

• Data loss
• Data corruption
• Lengthy and tedious process

Automated Solution: Open MBOX in Outlook

Since the manual method has a risk of data loss and as it engulfs a lot of time, users often rely on third-party solutions for an easy, safe, and fast process. One such efficient & reliable method is provided by DataHelp that allows users to convert emails from MBOX to PST. It converts MBOX files of more than 20 email clients to MS Outlook PST.

Use DataHelp MBOX to PST Converter to quickly generate Unicode PST files for Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 & 2003. You can directly generate a single Outlook data file for all the MBOX files or create one PST separately for each MBOX. You can even drag and drop the mailbox files directly on the software interface to add and process them.

Steps to Open MBOX file in Outlook:

1. Run the DataHelp tool and "drag and drop" the MBOX file onto the software interface.

2. Once the files are added, click "Convert" button at once.

3. "Browse(..)" the location to save the Outlook data files and click "Ok" button.

4. The software will convert the files and show the confirmation window.

5. Now, use the "Import/Export" option of Outlook and import the PST files in your Outlook application.

This blog is for Windows users only. For Mac users, please read the article to migrate MBOX to Outlook on Mac.

Bottom Lines

MS Outlook has several eye-opening features that attract the users of other email clients to choose it over theirs. There are a couple of methods available on how to view MBOX files in Outlook 2010. Therefore, in the above article, we have discussed manual methods and an expert solution that open MBOX in Outlook and move the data.