Email Converter

Expert Methods to Convert MBOX to MSG with 100% Accuracy

Abhishek Pandey
Abhishek Pandey September 30, 2025
5 min read
Summary: Need to convert MBOX to MSG format for better accessibility and data management? Find the best manual method to convert your MBOX files into MSG format while keeping everything intact. Additionally, we’ll also discuss an automated MBOX to MSG Converter tool for instant and 100% secure conversion of files.

Converting MBOX to MSG is essential for switching email clients, ensuring compatibility, or migrating data. MBOX stores entire mailbox information within a single file, whereas MSG stores single email message information. By converting MBOX files to MSG, users can improve email management, enhance productivity and boost workflow. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why conversion is needed and the methods available to make the process smooth and efficient.

Understanding the Need to Convert MBOX to MSG files

Before moving to the methods to convert MBOX files, first, let’s understand the need to convert MBOX to MSG files:

  • Easy-to-handle file format
  • Stores individual email messages
  • Improved data management facility
  • Compatibility with Microsoft Outlook
  • Best for email backup and archiving
  • Offers the best data security through Outlook
  • Stores emails from various platforms
  • Retains email formatting and metadata
  • Helps in optimizing storage space

Top Manual Method- How to Convert MBOX to MSG files?

To convert MBOX file to MSG format, you need to perform the method in multiple parts. For a 100% error-free process, follow the below mentioned steps carefully:

Part 1. Add ImportExportTools NG add-on

The first part is to add the ImportExportTools NG add-on to the Thunderbird email client. Follow the steps below carefully to do so:

Step 1. Open Thunderbird and click on the three bars located at the top right, then select the Add-ons and Themes option.Open Thunderbird and click on Add ons and Themes option

Step 2. Find ImportExportTools NG and hit Enter.Find ImportExportTools NG

Step 3. You’ll see the Add to Thunderbird option, tap on it, and it will get added to your Thunderbird.click on Add to Thunderbird option

Note: You can skip this part if you already have MBOX files in Thunderbird.

Part 2. Import MBOX file in Thunderbird

Once you have successfully added the extension, you need to import the MBOX file into Thunderbird. Here are the steps to do so:

Step 1. Create a new folder and right-click on it, then select ImportExportTools NG >Import mbox Files >All mbox Files from directory.Create a new folder and right-click on it

Step 2. Choose the MBOX folder to import and click Select Folder.click Select Folder

Part 3. Export MBOX emails in EML format

With the ImportExportTools NG add-on, you can export MBOX email messages in EML format. Follow the steps below to export data:

Step 1. Select all email messages to export and right-click on them, then select Export Message As >EML Message Format >Message (Attachments Embedded).select Export Message As EML

Step 2. Provide the destination and click Select Folder.Provide the destination

Part 4. Drag & Drop emails and save in MSG

After exporting MBOX emails in EML, now you can convert them to MSG with the help of Outlook. To convert the emails to MSG, use the following steps:

Step 1. Launch Outlook, select all the required emails saved on your system. Then drag and drop those emails in Outlook.Launch Outlook and drag and drop emails

Step 2. Select the emails that you dropped in Outlook and click on the File option.click on the File option.

Step 3. Here, click on the Save As option.click on the Save As option.

Step 4. Select Outlook Message Format- Unicode (*.msg) in Save as type and click Save.Select Outlook Message Format as Unicode

Automated MBOX to MSG Converter tool (Recommended Solution)

The above-mentioned manual method can work if you have a few emails to convert to MSG. However, if you want to convert an entire MBOX mailbox to MSG, these methods will cause data loss, corruption and other severe issues.

For 100% secure and accurate MBOX to MSG conversion, we recommend using a third-party MBOX to MSG Converter tool. EmailXport MBOX Converter is the best software to convert your files without data loss into MSG while preserving all email elements in the original hierarchy. This MBOX Converter tool can turn a complex conversion into a simple process.

It comes with filter options like exclude deleted or empty folder items, date filter, item type filter, etc., to make conversion hassle-free. You can seamlessly convert MBOX to MSG with EmailXport MBOX Converter software guide within a few easy clicks. Download the free trial version to check its features without paying anything.

Conclusion

As discussed, the manual methods are inefficient to convert MBOX to MSG files. However, it is suggested to use our recommended MBOX to MSG Converter software for 100% error-free process. It supports batch conversion and supports MBOX files from more than 20 email clients, allowing users to convert MBOX to MSG without worrying about format compatibility.

FAQs

Q. How to convert MBOX to MSG files manually?

A. To convert MBOX to MSG manually, you need to follow a long process in multiple parts. First, add the ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird, then import the required MBOX file in Thunderbird. Once the file is imported, export it in EML format, then drag & drop it into Outlook, and later save the file in MSG using Outlook.

Q. How can I convert bulk MBOX to MSG files?

A. To convert bulk MBOX to MSG files, you need to use an automated software like the EmailXport MBOX Converter tool.

EmailXport MBOX Converter