A Complete Guide to Converting PST Files to MBOX

The PST file forms the basic building block of the Microsoft Outlook program. Outlook depends primarily on this data source file. MBOX files are the main data source used by many well-known email applications like Gmail, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail. Both of these two usually used email management systems have different designs. Whereas MBOX is a widely used open-source format fit for many email applications, Outlook stores contacts, emails, and other data in the PST (Personal Storage Table) format.

Strong criteria control the exchange between these two forms. The fundamental reasons can be wide usability, cross-platform compatibility, or the change between email providers. Since MBOX and PST formats are essentially different from one another, exporting Outlook data to an MBOX file calls for particular processes and tools. This article investigates the approaches, tools, and best practices for converting PST files to MBOX format so enabling a flawless data migration free of loss or corruption.

For MBOX and PST files?

Personal Storage Table, or PST, is the file format Microsoft Outlook uses to hold contacts, calendars, tasks, schedules, emails, and other data. Microsoft Outlook specifically uses this file type for POP accounts. Usually kept local on the user's computer, PST files are used for archiving or preserving email data.

Mail Box, or MBOX for short, is a commonly used file format for email correspondence housed inside one text file. It arranges emails in a sequential fashion, therefore placing each message next to its predecessor. Many cross-platform and open-source email programs like Gmail, Apple Mail, and Thunderbird support the MBOX format.

Why convert PST to MBOX?

PST should be converted to MBOX for numerous benefits. People are realizing MBOX is a more flexible and generally utilized format across several platforms as web mails are becoming more and more used and demanded for. Thus, it is a question that has to be addressed turning PST into MBOX.

1. On several platforms, including Gmail, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail, MBOX is a rather popular format. Whereas PST is a domestic Microsoft Outlook file inaccessible on any other platform.

2. MBOX operates on open-source systems dedicated just for email service provision. Outlook, meantime, is more than just an email tool. This is business software with far more capabilities than just calendars, task and schedule organizing. PST files would thus be far more complicated and weighty than MBOX for management.

MBOX files feature a simpler file structure whereby the emails are kept in plain text form using basic simplicity. Consequently, they can be readily comprehended since PST files hold the data in a sophisticated binary structure that cannot be understood without running a program. Consequently, we observed that MBOX is more adaptable to fit the solutions of most of the arguments whereas PST cannot be regarded as appropriate for that.

Methods of PST conversion to MBOX

Though there are several approaches to do the conversion, they may be mostly categorized as Manual and Automated. While automated approaches concentrate on using other tools to rapidly complete the process, manual approaches concentrate on exploiting the resources provided in the email software itself.

Manual Approach: Leveraging Google Takeout

First the PST files should be imported into the Gmail account, then exported from there using Google Takeout to MBOX.

1. Activate IMAP in the Gmail account in first step.

2. Go to Outlook and set the Gmail account there second.

3. Make a folder in Outlook and import in third step.

4. After opening the Gmail account, look for the pst emails.

5. Visit Google Takeout now. Using "Select data to include," first click Deselect all then check Gmail.

6. Click the down arrow next to "Mail" in step six to select particular labels—or leave it to export everything.

7. The seventh step is selecting a file type (.zip or.tgz) and size. Change Next.

8. Click Create Export. The amount of your Gmail data will determine whether this process takes several hours or days.

9. When the export is ready, you will get an email including a download link. Get the file in MBOX format including the Gmail data.

This is how the manual approach using Google Takeout Converts PST to MBOX files. The thing to observe, though, is that this hand approach is really complicated and time-consuming. Could someone not technical readily carry out the procedure? Another problem is that the process runs a great risk of malfunction as any little error might cause insufficient data transfer.

Professional Solution to Covert PST file into MBOX

An automated approach is applied to eliminate any possibility of failing. We will readily convert PST files to MBOX using a PST converter tool, free from configuration concerns or other problems.

Method: Automated Softaken PST Converter Software In a few steps, we can readily convert PST files to MBOX with a PST converter program. Let's observe how.

Open PST Converter program first. To add your PST file to the programme click "Add Files".

Double-click the Inbox to view the emails first. If you wish to convert only particular emails, you can choose the ones here. Otherwise, click Next.

Choose the MBOX option inside the Select Import choice in step three. Filters let you sort the emails by date as well. If you wish the MBOX file saved anywhere, enter the Save Path. To start, click Next.

Your conversion procedure starts in step 4. You will be informed once finished by a message. Navigating to the location you entered will let you view the MBOX files. We will save your emails in the Inbox. mbx file tucked within the Inbox folder.

Ultimately

Although it is doable, manually Converting PST to MBOX can be a time-consuming and tiresome chore. This chore is much easier if one uses a specific conversion tool. Although there could be some expenses involved, these tools provide speed, simplicity of use, and little danger of mistakes—all of which are quite valuable, particularly for high volume conversions.