How to Import an MBOX File into Outlook? – Step-by-Step Guide

Ritu Roy | Email Backup Email Conversion email migration How to's Software Technology | 4 minutes read | Modified on: 10-04-2025

Summary – This article explains the manual method to import emails from MBOX file to PST Outlook. The process is separated into four main steps. Read out this post to know how to import an MBOX file into Outlook PST with attachments.

Introduction – MBOX File & Microsoft Outlook

MBOX format was considered as one of the best file formats as it could be accessed by a number of email client applications such as Apple Mail, Opera Mail, SeaMonkey, Mozilla Thunderbird, Pocomail, Eudora, Entourage, ClawsMail, Netscape, Spicebird, etc.

But now, because of the improving popularity of Microsoft Outlook the saves data in PST file and offers extensive features and benefits, conversion from MBOX mailbox to PST file has become mutual with SMBs and enterprises.

Microsoft Outlook does not prefer MBOX file format to save data. Therefore, if you need to access MBOX mailbox emails in Outlook PST, it is important to import an MBOX file to PST, which can be easily viewed in Outlook.

How to Import MBOX to Outlook PST? – Manual Method

Take an example, you are a Mac user (using Mac Apple Mail) and require to view or access the mailbox data into Outlook configured on another Windows machine. In such type of situation, you may need to move Apple Mail MBOX email to PST Outlook format.

Even though the MBOX File to PST migration procedure is very simple, but you need to have complete technical knowledge. A one fault can lead to data loss. And the data item’s reliability may also be sake.

Also you should keep the backup of MBOX mailboxes before importing into PST file to deal with the risks of file corruption or deletion.

Next, if you need to free import MBOX mailbox to PST file format, but do not have any idea how to achieve the same, follow the manual process below:

Step 1. Open your Mac Machine and Apply the Following Steps:

1. Initially, you need to export Apple Mail to MBOX:
2. Open Apple Mail on your Mac system.
3. Tap the File menu andpressthe Import Mailboxes option.
4. Next, under ‘Import data from:’ choose the program from where you need to import data such as Files in mbox format.
5. Press on Continue to proceed further.
6. After that, give the location where MBOX files are kept on the system.
7. Pick the MBOX files which you need to importand click the Choose button.
8.  After that, choose items that you wish to import and then click on Continue button.
9. Finally, press on the Done and browse the import section in the mailboxes list

After that, you need to configure Eudora (windows version), as MBOX files cannot be directly imported to PST as Eudora is important for finalising the MBOX file creation.

Step 2. Open your Windows Machine and Apply the Following Steps:

1. To start the process, you will require to add MBOX file extension to the file just imported. For example, ProjectMBOX requires to be altered to ProjectMBOX.mbx
2. Transfer the file ProjectMBOX.mbx to the Eudora directory where the files are saved by default in the application:

“C: Documents and Settings <user>Application Data\Qualcomm\Eudora”

• Next, open the Eudora application and double-click on the ProjectMBOX.mbx. Then, close the application.

Step 3. In Outlook Express:

Now, you will need Outlook Express to import emails from Eudora.

1. Open Outlook Express application
2. Press on the File, then click on the Import and choose Messages.
3. Select Eudora Mail from the list of email clients and then select the Next option.
4. Choose the destination path to select the ‘.mbx file’ and then hit on the OK
5. Click on the Next, again press the Next and then Finish.

In Outlook Express application, the imported mailbox can be accessed in the Local Folders

Step 4. In MS Outlook:

In the last step, you require to import emails from OE to Outlook.

1. In Microsoft Outlook, go to the File menu and ht on the Open.
2. From the list of options, choose Import and then Import and Export wizard.
3. Then, choose Import Internet Mail and Addresses option and hit on Next.
4. Pick the option Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x or Windows Mail.
5. Confirm that the Import Mail option is checked and then click on Next.

Drawbacks of Manual Method:

• This process is very lengthy and time-consuming.
• It requires complete technical knowledge about the supportable applications.
• It has great chances of data loss throughout the process.
• It is not capable to import bulk data from mailbox to PST at once.

An Alternate Solution to Import MBOX Folder to Outlook PST

If you are facing issues while using the manual method to resolve the problem of how to import an MBOX file to Outlook PST, then you can use an alternate way, i.e., MBOX to PST Converter. It helps all users, including technical and non-technical users, to easily save MBOX emails in PST for Windows Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, or any earlier version. It gives only a few steps to import MBOX in Outlook PST in any single and batch modes with attachments.

Final Words

When the need is to free import MBOX file to PST, you can follow the manual method. Confirm that you have all the resources and technical knowledge to achieve the conversion accurately. And also ensure that you can spend time importing MBOX email to PST file.

If not, you can go with the alternate solution – CubexSoft MBOX Converter, which helps in quickly moving MBOX emails to an Outlook PST file with a successful result.