Switching from Gmail to Outlook sounds simple until you try it. Google lets you download your entire gmail email history through Google Takeout, but the file you get is in MBOX format. Microsoft Outlook cannot read MBOX files. You end up stuck with years of emails locked in a format your new email client refuses to open.
The same problem hits Thunderbird users, Apple Mail users, and anyone else moving away from MBOX-based email programs.
Your data exists. You just cannot access it where you need it. That is where MBOX to PST conversion tools come in. In this review, we look at Stellar Converter for MBOX and whether it solves this problem.
What is an MBOX File?
MBOX is a file format that stores email messages in a single text file. Each email sits one after another inside the same container. Many popular email programs use this format. Gmail exports your data as MBOX through Google Takeout.
Mozilla Thunderbird stores emails in MBOX. Apple Mail, Eudora, SeaMonkey, and Opera Mail all use variations of this format.
The format works well for storage and backup. The problem starts when you want to move those emails into Microsoft Outlook. Outlook uses PST files instead. The two formats do not talk to each other.
Why Convert MBOX to PST?
People convert MBOX files for several reasons. You might leave Gmail for a corporate Outlook account. Your company might retire Thunderbird and standardize on Microsoft 365. You might have old email archives from years ago that you need to access in your current Outlook setup.
Whatever the reason, conversion becomes necessary when your emails live in one format and your email client speaks another.
A proper conversion keeps your folder structure intact, preserves attachments, and transfers all message details like sender, recipient, date, and subject.
How to Convert MBOX to PST Manually?
Outlook does not import MBOX files directly. The manual workaround involves using an intermediate email client. Here is how it works:
- Step 1: Install Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer and set up a dummy email account.
- Step 2: Import your MBOX file into Thunderbird using an add-on like ImportExportTools NG.
- Step 3: Configure Thunderbird to connect to your Outlook account via IMAP.
- Step 4: Drag emails from your local MBOX folders to the Outlook IMAP folders.
- Step 5: Open Outlook and wait for the emails to sync from the server.
- Step 6: Export the synced emails to a local PST file using Outlook’s export function.
This method works for small mailboxes. You avoid spending money on software. You use tools already available.
Drawbacks of Manual Methods
The manual approach falls apart with large email archives. Google Takeout files can run several gigabytes. Dragging thousands of emails through Thunderbird and syncing them via IMAP takes hours. The process often fails midway.
You also lose control over duplicates. If you run the process more than once, you end up with repeated emails. There is no built-in filter to catch them. Folder structures can get scrambled during the transfers. Attachments sometimes fail to sync properly.
For a handful of emails, manual conversion works fine. For anything larger, you need a tool built for the job.
Convert Faster With Stellar Converter for MBOX
Stellar Converter for MBOX handles direct conversion from MBOX to PST without intermediate steps. The software reads your MBOX file and saves it in a format Outlook can import. No Thunderbird. No IMAP syncing. No dragging emails folder by folder.
The tool supports MBOX files from over 17 email clients. These include Google Takeout, Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Entourage, Eudora, PocoMail, SeaMonkey, Netscape, Opera Mail, and others. It recognizes MBOX, MBS, MBX, and RGE file extensions.
Key Features
- Handles Multiple Email Clients: The software works with MBOX files from Gmail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, and 13 other email programs. You select your source client and the tool adjusts its processing accordingly.
- Preserves Folder Structure: Your original folder hierarchy transfers to the PST file. Subfolders stay organized. You do not end up with a flat pile of emails.
- Free Preview Before Saving: The demo version lets you scan and preview your entire mailbox. You see emails, attachments, and folder structures before you pay. This confirms the software reads your data correctly.
- Multiple Output Formats: Beyond PST, you can save emails as MSG & EML. The Technician version adds direct export to Office 365 accounts and gives more saving features: RTF, PDF, or HTML.
- Date Range Filters: You can limit conversion to emails from a specific time period. This helps when you only need recent messages from a large archive.
- Sender Exclusion: Filter out emails from specific senders before saving. This removes unwanted messages during conversion rather than after.
- Auto Split for Large Files: The software splits PST files at roughly 45 GB. Large Outlook files slow down performance. Automatic splitting prevents this.
- Find Feature: Cannot locate your MBOX file? Point the tool at a drive and it searches for compatible files automatically.
How to Convert MBOX to PST with Stellar?
Step 1: Download and install Stellar Converter for MBOX from the official website. The installer requires about 250 MB of disk space. Launch the application after installation completes.
Step 2: Select your email client from the list on the home screen. Choose Gmail for Google Takeout files, Thunderbird for Mozilla exports, or the appropriate option for your source program.
Step 3: Click “Select File” to browse for your MBOX file. If you cannot find it, use the “Find” button to search a drive or folder. The software locates MBOX, MBS, MBX, and RGE files automatically.
Step 4: Click “Convert” to start the scanning process. The software reads your MBOX file and displays the contents in a three pane preview window. Folders appear on the left. Emails list in the middle. Full message content shows on the right.
Step 5: Browse through the preview to verify your data. Check that folders appear correctly. Open a few emails to confirm attachments and message details transferred properly.
Step 6: Click “Save Converted File” when ready. Choose PST as your output format. Select whether to create a new PST file or append to an existing one.
Step 7: Apply filters if needed. Set a date range to include only certain emails. Exclude messages from specific senders. Enable auto-split if your mailbox is large.
Step 8: Choose your save location and click OK. The software creates your PST file. A progress bar shows the conversion status. Once complete, import the PST into Outlook through File, Open, and Import.
System Requirements
The software runs on Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and in 64 bit versions only. You need an Intel-compatible 64-bit processor. The minimum memory requirement is 4 GB, although 8 GB works better for handling large files. The program needs 250 MB for installation, plus space for your converted files.
Outlook compatibility covers Office 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010
Pricing
The Corporate edition costs $39 and covers individual use. The Technician edition runs $99 and adds Office 365 export plus features for IT professionals handling multiple migrations. Both versions include a 30 day money back guarantee.
The free demo lets you convert and preview your entire mailbox. You only pay when you need to save the output.
Why Choose Stellar Converter for MBOX?
Here are some of the key reasons to choose Stellar Converter for MBOX for converting your MBOX files to PST format:
- Simple 3-step process– Very easy to use. Even a novice user can quickly convert MBOX to PST format.
- Specialized MBOX Converter– Designed specifically to convert different kinds of MBOX files from multiple email clients.
- Retains folder hierarchy– The folder structure of MBOX is replicated identically in the resulting PST file.
- Technical support– Backed by the Stellar technical support team to resolve any conversion issues.
- Trusted by millions– Stellar is a trusted name with over 30 million satisfied customers worldwide.
- 30 years of experience– Developed by experienced engineers with expertise in email conversion & recovery.
- Cost-effective pricing– Low one-time cost provides unlimited usage and free technical support.
- Free Trial – Test & evaluate the software by showing a Preview of emails with To, From, Cc, and Bcc.
For users migrating from Thunderbird, Google Takeout, Eudora, or other MBOX-based clients to Outlook, this software provides an efficient way to convert existing mailbox data to the PST format accessed by Outlook. It saves a lot of manual time and effort during email migration or backup process.
Overall, Stellar Converter for MBOX is the most convenient tool for converting MBOX files into PST format while retaining the full integrity of the mailbox data.
Final Words
We tested Stellar Converter for MBOX with Google Takeout files and Thunderbird archives of various sizes. The software read the MBOX data correctly every time. Folder structures transferred intact. Attachments and message details came through without issues. The preview feature made it easy to verify results before saving.
Conversion speed depends on file size. Small mailboxes finish in minutes. Multi-gigabyte archives take longer. The interface stays responsive throughout the process.
For anyone moving from Gmail, Thunderbird, or other MBOX based email to Outlook, this tool handles the job cleanly.
The demo version lets you confirm compatibility with your files before you spend anything. Based on our testing, the software earns a solid recommendation for MBOX to PST conversion needs.