How to Export MBOX Files to MSG Format: A Complete Walk-Through

In both personal and professional spheres, email correspondence is rather important. MBOX and MSG are two widely used file formats for email message storage. Backup requirements and long-term storage can enable MBOX to be turned into MSG form. This helps recovery and organization inside Outlook or any compatible email client to be easier.

Outlook is generally used by most people for both personal and professional purposes. They thus choose MSG above MBOX. Although this process is challenging, particularly for large conversions, numerous methods are easily available to simplify the tasks. We will go over in this blog a quick and easy method to mass convert MBOX files to MSG formats, therefore saving time and effort.

What are MBOX and MSG formats?

MBOX

MBOX is a commonly used file format for storing email messages. It organizes multiple emails within a single plain text file, with each message separated by a designated marker.

MSG File

Microsoft Outlook and Exchange employ a proprietary file format called MSG File to save individual emails together with attachments and information. Every MSG file, among other things, can represent sender, recipient, subject, date, and message body and represents one email correspondence.

Looking at the need: Why turn MBOX become MSG?

MBOX enables the conversion of MBOX files to MSG format, facilitating email data conversion. There are several reasons why MBOX files may need to be converted to MSG format, including the following:

• Created for Microsoft Outlook, MSG files are highly compatible with it. Outlook users who rely heavily on the program may prefer the MSG format due to its seamless integration and compatibility.
• MSG files support Outlook-specific features such as embedded objects, rich text formatting, and email attachments. For those who primarily use Outlook, the MSG format may be more suitable.
• Managing MSG files can be simpler and more intuitive compared to the MBOX system, which often requires additional tools or software for access and management.
• Microsoft Outlook is commonly used in business environments. Employees may need to use the MSG format to maintain consistency and adhere to corporate guidelines.
• Security: MSG files, especially within the Microsoft ecosystem, may offer enhanced security options and features, which is often a top priority for users or businesses.
• When switching from one email client to another, users may choose the MSG format for a smoother transition—particularly if they are moving from a client like Microsoft Outlook, which natively supports MSG files.
• In terms of file structure, attachment management, metadata preservation, searchability, and security, MSG files often outperform MBOX. Now, proceed to the next section to learn how to complete the conversion process.

Export MBOX Files to MSG Format: Manual Conversion Guide

If you have an email client that supports MBOX, you can export each email message as an EML file. Import the EML file into an Outlook folder to generate MSG files. Once the Outlook folder has loaded the emails, you can convert the MBOX file into MSG using MS Outlook.

Step 1: Import EML Files into Outlook

If you're using Thunderbird on your PC, follow these steps:

• Select the file or folder you want to export to MSG.
• Right-click the selected files and choose "Save As."
• In the next dialog box, choose EML as the file format.
• Browse to a location to save the exported EML files and click "Save."

Now Export EML Files to MSG Using Outlook:

• Open MS Outlook.
• Navigate to the folder where Windows Explorer saved the EML files.
• Select the EML files you want to convert.
• Drag the EML files into any Outlook folder of your choice.
• Once the EML files are successfully imported, select the emails you want to convert.
• Finally, right-click the selected emails and save them as MSG files.

These steps will enable you to convert MBOX files into MSG format. However, this method is time-consuming and may result in data loss.

Below, we cover two more efficient methods for completing the conversion process. First, we discuss the manual Outlook approach. Then, we introduce an automated solution.

Automatic Method for Exporting MBOX Files to MSG Format

One effective method to export MBOX files to MSG format involves using a dedicated MBOX converter tool. This method allows for bulk conversion of MBOX emails to MSG format while retaining all attachments and metadata. Additionally, users can preview all MBOX file contents before conversion. This approach also supports converting MBOX files into other formats like PST, PDF, EML, and more, ensuring flexibility in how the data is handled. Users can even integrate MBOX files into IMAP accounts such as Office 365, Gmail, Hotmail, and AOL. The process is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it accessible for users who want to convert MBOX files securely and efficiently.

Basic Guide for Exporting MBOX Files to MSG Format

• Download, install, and run the MBOX converter tool on your computer.
• Select the MBOX file or files you want to convert and add them to the tool.



• The selected MBOX files will appear on the preview panel for review.



• Choose the desired path where you want to save the converted files.



• Finally, click the Convert button to begin transforming MBOX files into MSG format.

These steps will enable you to export your MBOX files to MSG format efficiently. While a technical understanding can help with manual methods, direct conversion by hand is not feasible and often requires a two-stage process. Read on to learn more about how to approach manual conversion.