How to Import MBOX to Outlook Classic & New? 2026 Guide
Important: You cannot directly open MBOX in MS Outlook.
MBOX is a universal file format that contains a large number of email messages in a single file in rich text format. Although it is compatible with multiple applications like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and can be exported from Google Takeout. They are not compatible with Outlook New or Classic.
Microsoft Outlook natively supports only PST (Outlook Data File) and EML. This makes importing MBOX files in Outlook a complex task for users.
Default location of Outlook Files: C:\Users\<YourUserName>\Documents\Outlook Files\<YourOutlookProfileName>.pst
Here you will learn step-by-step methods to transfer emails from MBOX to Outlook for any source(Entourage, Apple Mail, Google Vault, PostBox, Horde, etc.) with ease.
Why Open an MBOX File in Microsoft Outlook? Essential Reasons
There can be several reasons to import MBOX to an Outlook account:
- Users need to upload MBOX to Outlook when migrating email clients or services.
- Move emails from a Mac PC to a Windows desktop.
- To open and access data from an orphaned MBOX in Microsoft Outlook.
- To further migrate backed-up MBOX emails to Exchange Online or the server.
Additionally, importing local MBOX files into Outlook allows you to use Outlook’s advanced features, such as built-in anti-spam protection. It also offers improved email management and organization.
Import MBOX to Outlook on Windows By Converting to PST
Outlook natively supports Outlook Data Files (PST) for direct & easy import with complete folder hierarchy.
4n6 MBOX Converter Tool is a dedicated Windows-based software that lets you bulk convert MBOX files to Outlook PST formats with attachments.
Reduce the risk of data corruption & make the import MBOX to Outlook process faster with an easy-to-use interface & free version of 4n6 MBOX to Outlook Converter.
Download the Tool today.
How to Open MBOX File in Outlook Without Thunderbird?
The import MBOX to Outlook Windows process is almost similar for all versions, like 2021, 2019, 2016, 2007, etc.
Follow the quick steps to import MBOX to Outlook using MBOX to Outlook Converter:
- Firstly, free download and install the software in order to import MBOX to Outlook.
- Choose the Email Data Files and then hit the MBOX files option and choose the MBOX files/folder.
- Hit the Export button and choose a PST as the Saving option (in order to import the MBOX file to Outlook).
- Enter the destination location and hit the Save button to import MBOX to Outlook 2019..
After converting MBOX files to PST, you need to import them to the Outlook account. Follow the procedure below:
- Open the MS Outlook application on your computer.
- Go to File >> Click on Open Outlook data file. That’s it.
Now, you can add MBOX files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier editions with ease.
How to Import MBOX in Outlook for Free? – Using IMAP Account
This method works on both Mac & Windows to add MBOX in Outlook.
Using an MBOX-compatible desktop email client, Apple Mail on Mac and Thunderbird on Windows, transfer MBOX emails to an IMAP account. You further configure this IMAP in Outlook to access the MBOX emails. Below are the exact expert-tested steps you need to follow.
Import MBOX in Outlook Mac Using Apple Mail:
- Open Apple Mail.
- Configure any IMAP account (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com, etc.)
- Click on File >> Import Mailboxes.
- Choose “Files in MBOX format.”
- Select the files from your Mac desktop and press Open.
- Drag and drop MBOX files to the newly configured IMAP account.
- Open Outlook.
- Click on File >> Add account.
- Configure the same IMAP account in Outlook to open MBOX in MS Outlook.
Import MBOX to Outlook Using Thunderbird:
- Open Thunderbird
- Click on the Hamburger Menu >> Add New account.
- Configure any IMAP account.
- Go to Themes & Add-Ons.
- Install the ImportExportNG add-on.
- Go to the Local Folder and right-click.
- Choose ImportExportNG >> Import MBOX >> Directory (for bulk import).
- Choose the MBOX file and open it.
- Drag and drop, or Right Click >> Move to the newly configured IMAP account.
- Open the Outlook desktop and go to File >> Add account.
- Configure the same IMAP account in Outlook.
You have now successfully imported bulk MBOX files into Outlook.
Import MBOX Files in Outlook – By Manually Converting to EML
Outlook for Windows supports both PST and EML email import directly. Using Thunderbird with ImportExportNG is a free yet manually intensive way to open MBOX in Outlook.
- Download, install, and set up the Thunderbird client on your computer.
- Now, open the email app and configure your email profile in it, like Gmail and Yahoo.
After your email account setup, you’ll need to import MBOX files into Thunderbird.
Once you are done with this stage, you need to move to the next stage, where you need to convert MBOX to EML – an Outlook-compatible file format. Please follow the following steps
- Go to the Tools menu and click Add-ons.
- Search for “ImportExportTools” and install
- Then restart
- Right-click the MBOX folder that you imported into Thunderbird in the previous step.
- Choose “ImportExportTools” then “Export Folder“.
- Select “Export all messages in the folder” and choose a location to save the EML file.
Once you have completed this second stage, you need to move on to the next and final stage. Here, you need to import EML to Outlook, finally. Follow the process below.
- Open Microsoft Outlook
- Create a new folder to import all EML files.
- Now, just drag and drop all the files into the newly created folder in Outlook.
So, that is how you may import MBOX to Outlook using the manual method. However, this manual method has some limitations that you must review.
Choose the Right Way to Import MBOX in Outlook for Your Needs
Quick-comparison to understand the functionality of the manual & tool-based approach to upload MBOX files in Outlook.
| Factor | Using Thunderbird | Via IMAP + Email Client | 4n6 MBOX to Outlook Converter |
| Ease of use | Difficult | Error-prone | Easy to use |
| Risk of data loss | High chance of missing emails or attachments | Possible sync failures | No data loss |
| Folder hierarchy | Lost | Depends on IMAP account | 100% preserved |
| Bulk import | Fails for large MBOX files | Slow and unreliable | Built for bulk import |
| Corrupted MBOX handling | Fails | Fails | Handles minor corruption |
| Platform support | Windows | Mac & Windows | Windows |
| Cost | Free | Free | Paid (free trial available) |
More About 4n6 MBOX to Outlook Converter
- The tool can convert MBOX to multiple formats like EML and PST, with 10 other formats, for easy Outlook import.
- Allows you to add MBOX email to Outlook with all attachments, folder hierarchy, and headers, etc.
- Preview MBOX files before importing in Microsoft Outlook.
- No need to setup additional email client to import MBOX to Outlook.
- The software has no file size restrictions for the conversion process.
- Allows you to export individual or batch MBOX files to an Outlook data file.
- A freeware demo version is available for testing this software’s capability first.
In Conclusion
Transferring from one email client to another is always a laborious task. An incorrectly done data conversion can result in serious problems, including data loss and complete corruption. As a pioneer, 4n6 Software has developed such a powerful solution that it will help users import MBOX into Outlook on Windows. We have offered you both a manual and a professional solution. Choose your preferred one.
FAQ: Import MBOX in Outlook
Q) What is the default location of the PST file for Outlook 2019 on Windows 7?
A) C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\<YourOutlookProfileName>.pst
Q) Can Outlook import MBOX files?
A) No. Outlook cannot directly import MBOX files. You must convert MBOX to an Outlook recognizable file format.
Q) How to add Gmail MBOX to Outlook?
A) You may either use Thunderbird or our professional software to import a Gmail MBOX file into Outlook.
Q) Can I consolidate multiple MBOX files into Outlook at once?
A) You may use the professional 4n6 software to import multiple MBOX files to Outlook in a single operation.
