Convert OST to MBOX

Information recovery from orphaned OST. Bulk OST to MBOX transfer. Mail migration from Outlook to other email systems while preserving the message properties and the original folder structure.

Features:

• Supports all OST file types and all versions of Windows and Outlook 2007 and later.
• Restores the data from the Outlook BAK file created with ScanPST.
• Retains folder structure.
• Maintains data integrity:
  • Exports messages from OST files as original, along with images and attachments (all types).
  • Preserves message properties, source formatting.
• Impose no restrictions on the size of OST files to convert.
• Quickly handles large OST or where several files must be converted at once.
• Requires no connection to Exchange Server or IMAP mailbox.
• Converts orphaned or archived OST.
• Selectively saves mail from OST to MBOX format. Allows you to select specific messages for conversion.
• Optionally skips empty and system folders during conversion.
• Allows you to name MBOX files, save them to an existing folder, or arrange the final files into folders by date, sender and recipients, subject, source folder, or mailbox name.
• Automatically converts OST to MBOX on schedule and performs batch conversion via the command line.
• Launches from Outlook or standalone application, and command line.
• Generates a report upon the process completion.

Why convert OST to MBOX?

OST is an internal MS Outlook format that is a local copy of the mailbox synchronized with the server. It is a temporary file that cannot be opened on another computer, another account, or another version of Outlook.

The MBOX format is compatible with many email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, PocoMail, The Bat!, Entourage, and others. It is often used for mailbox migration and backup.

By saving data from OST to MBOX with our converter, you can:

• Restore emails from an archived .ost file or a data file created in another account.
• Convert messages from an orphaned OST.
• Make a backup copy of an Outlook mailbox in a common format.
• Migrate messages from an Outlook account with an OST data file to another email application that supports MBOX format (Mozilla Thunderbird, Mac / Apple Mail, and others).
• Selectively or completely save messages from .ost file to view them later in another email program or forward them to another user.

How to move data from Outlook OST file to MBOX format?

You can save information from OST to MBOX only by using a special tool, which is this OST to MBOX converter. Selecting the necessary messages and organizing them into final folders is automated. Discover additional features for even more productive work:

• To convert, you need not log in to the account where the source OST was created.
• Advanced settings allow you to pre-select messages by type, period, and other parameters.
• The utility contains built-in macros for the convenient automatic organization of the resulting MBOX files.
• The command-line app provides options for batch conversion of several data files in one operation and scheduled conversion.
• A simple, intuitive interface makes the conversion process simple for any user.

How to selectively export data from OST to MBOX

To save the emails from OST to MBOX format, set up the utility in the following way.

1. Specify the source .ost file or folder with files to convert.
2. On the Advanced tab, select the period for which you want to convert the emails. Specify an interval in the drop-down list, select additional options if necessary.
3. Use the Message Filter to convert:
   • all messages
   • received messages,
   • sent messages.

How to customize the names of end folders and files

1. On the General tab, indicate an existing folder for the resulting MBOX on your disk or network share. Or apply a template for naming new folders and files:
   • by date, time or year;
   • by email address or name of the sender;
   • by email address or name of the first recipient;
   • by subject;
   • by Outlook folder name;
   • by the name of the mailbox or data file;
   • naming folders by the current date/time.
   You can use regular expressions to use only necessary parts of the subject, email text, and any other message fields in the names of the target folder and saved files. It is possible to save the final MBOX in separate folders for each converted OST and keep the original folder structure.
2. Overwrite the MBOX files to avoid duplicates when converting the same OST file again.
3. To skip empty folders and "Deleted Items" from the source OST, check the desired option.

How to save messages from an archive OST?

To save messages in MBOX format from an OST disconnected from the mail server, you need no extra actions. This converter works with disconnected OSTs in the same way as described above.

How to transfer multiple OST to MBOX or convert OST on schedule?

Extract the required emails from multiple data files at once and perform batch conversion. A special command-line application allows you to pre-configure:

• automatic bulk conversion from OST to MBOX,
• scheduled transfer of data,
• selective mail conversion,
• locations to save the final files,
• and other scenarios.

Contact our technical support and we will help you to write your OST to MBOX conversion script for your specific tasks.

Launch multiple command-line apps to perform mass conversion even faster.

FAQ

Can I transfer Microsoft Outlook emails from Exchange mailbox to Mozilla Thunderbird?

Yes, you can import messages from an Exchange data file into Thunderbird using the "Convert from OST to MBOX" utility:

1. Launch the utility.
2. Select the .ost file.
3. On the Advanced tab, configure the settings for the selection of messages to be imported.
4. Specify the folder to save the final MBOX on the General tab.
5. Click the Run button.

Once the MBOX file is created, it can be imported into the Mozilla Thunderbird app with the "Import / Export" add-ons.

Should I open an MBOX-supported client to convert OST to MBOX?

The conversion does not require the installation of a mail application that uses the MBOX format. It's also unnecessary to open Outlook, you can run the utility offline.

Can I convert OST to MBOX online?

Online mail conversion does not ensure the confidentiality of your conversations or the integrity of the source data. Besides, you may encounter limitations on the size and number of exported files. Online conversion of large databases can be time-consuming. Don't take risks and waste time and effort, use reliable tools to convert your emails. We do not recommend using third-party online services for mail conversion, as all your mail may be exposed to others.

What are the limitations when converting OST to MBOX?

The converter imposes no restrictions on the number or size of the converted data files. You can convert an unlimited number of folders or files as often as you want.

When converting, the utility saves all email data, such as

• message subject,
• dates of sending and receiving,
• sender and recipient addresses,
• attachments,
• message text with HTML markup and pictures,
• internet headers.

MBOX is a format for storing emails, it does not store contacts, calendars, tasks, and other Outlook items. To save Outlook mailbox items in one data file, use the "Convert OST to PST" utility.