OST and MBOX files are completely different in terms of platform suitability. Microsoft Outlook exclusively stores mailbox data in the OST file format for offline access. On the contrary, many well-reputed email clients (including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, etc.) store mailbox data in MBOX files.
Therefore, you can’t directly migrate from Outlook to any other email clients that support importing only the MBOX format. In such cases, OST to MBOX conversion is the best way to migrate your mailboxes. In this article, I’ll provide you a step-by-step guide on converting your OST files to MBOX format. Keep reading!
Common reasons: Why should you convert OST to MBOX?
- Only Outlook supports the OST format. But the MBOX format is supported by multiple email clients, including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, and others.
- In the case of migrating email data, the MBOX format is more convenient.
- MBOX files are easier to access in Windows or non-Windows OS. But without the Outlook for Windows application, you can’t access OST files.
- If Outlook or the Exchange server becomes corrupted, you can recover and view email data in other clients by converting OST to MBOX.
Complete guide on how to easily convert OST to MBOX.
Basically, OST to MBOX conversion isn’t a straightforward process at all, except if you use any professional converters. For your better understanding, here I am describing the manual procedure in four easy steps:
Step 1: Change the OST file extension to PST.
Generally, Microsoft Outlook allows you to import only PST files. So, if you try to import OST files, Outlook won’t recognize the file. In this case, you can change the OST file extension to PST.
- Locate the OST file, right-click on it, and select the “Rename” option.
- Click “Backspace” from your keyboard and delete the “OST” extension.
- Now, type the “PST” extension and hit the “Enter” button on your keyboard.
Step 2: Import the PST file on your Outlook app.
- Open the Outlook app and go to the “File” tab at the top-left corner of the dashboard.
- Select the “Open & Export” menu from the sidebar and then click on the “Import/Export” option.
- Under the “Choose an action to perform” section, choose the “Import from another program or file” option and click on the “Next” button.
- In the “Import a File” window, choose the “Outlook Data File (.pst)” option and click on “Next.”
- Now, click on the “Browse” button and choose the PST file from your device. Under the “Options” section, select the “Do not import duplicates” option (This option prevents importing any duplicate items.) and click on the “Next” button.
- Select the folder that you want to import. Check the “Include subfolders” checkbox and click on the “Finish” button.
- Step 3: Configure the same Outlook account on Mozilla Thunderbird
- On your Thunderbird dashboard, click on the “Local Folders” icon.
- Under the “Sign Up Another Account” section, click on the “Email” button.
- Enter necessary credentials (email, password), and click on the “Continue” button.
- Afterward, select the IMAP or POP3 protocol according to your email account and click on the “Done” button.
- Once Thunderbird successfully finishes configuring your email account, click on the “Finish” button.
Step 4: Using Thunderbird, export your mailbox in MBOX format.
- Before you start, you need to add the “ImportExportTools NG” extension on your Thunderbird app. After you add the extension, follow the steps below:
- Right-click on the folder that you want to export.
- From the drop-down menu lists, select the “ImportExportTools NG” extension option. Again, from the drop-down lists, select the following options:
- Folder Export (mbox) > As mbox File
- That’s it. This way you can manually export emails of your OST files to MBOX format.
Easy solution for OST to MBOX conversion
In order to easily and instantly convert your OST files, you can use the Regain OST to PST Converter software. This software allows you to convert your OST files into multiple formats and offers more advanced features at a budget-friendly price.
- First, install the software and run it as an administrator on your local device.
- Click on the “Add File” button and select the OST file from your local directory.
- After that, the software will scan your OST files and preview the available folders. Select any folders and click on the “Export” button.
- Specify a destination on your local device, select the “MBOX” format, and click on the “Convert Now” button.
As a result, your OST file will be converted into MBOX format and saved on your device.
Conclusion
I have described both the manual and automated tool OST to MBOX Converter to successfully convert your OST files to MBOX format. Now, you can use any method according to your needs. But before you start, make sure to take a backup of your OST files. It will be an easier recovery option in case you make any mistakes in the conversion process.