Two Free Methods to Convert MBOX Files to EML Format

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: February 25th, 2022 • 7 Min Read

 

Ever thought to retrieve all email header information within an email message? Well, this particular query is highly demanded by forensic and legal practitioners. The formatting of the EML file is made in such a way the sender can share a particular email with the recipient without revealing the data in any other file format which may influence the confidentiality of that email.

An EML file stores one email message. Whereas, the MBOX file stores multiple email messages in a single file. If lost, it can ultimately result in the loss of entire mailbox items. Hence, if you want to switch this file format, here are a few tips to convert MBOX to EML that are sure to help.

Outline of MBOX and EML File Extension

MBOX:-  MBOX is an email storage file format utilized for storing the bulk of email messages. This file format stores email messages of a complete folder in a single database file and all new emails are attached to the end of the file. It was originally produced for the Unix system. But now various mail services (both operational and non-operational) support this file extension such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora Mail, Entourage, etc.

EML:- This file format is extensively used even by those who don’t have an email client installed on their system. It’s because if we compare it with MBOX, many more email applications support EML format. EML is a file format that saves a single email in one file.

Why Users Demand MBOX to EML Converter – User Queries

Many users try to convert MBOX database to EML on their own using manual techniques. These approaches often boil down to technical issues or conversion problems. We have taken some user queries from community forums:-

Query1:

1st user query

Query2:

2nd user query

Manual and Automated Methods to Convert MBOX to EML

You can achieve this conversion using three methods. The first method requires you to have the Mozilla Thunderbird email client installed on your system. Only then will you be able to convert your MBOX files to EML for free. If you have orphan MBOX files, then opt for the professional solution i.e., the second method.

(i) Free Solution to Convert MBOX File to EML

Often when a person tries to find a standard solution for email conversion, then a dilemma arises. Because such approaches have certain shortcomings. Try this manual method to convert MBOX data to EML format. Please note that this method requires Mozilla Thunderbird.

  • First of all, open the Thunderbird application.
  • Open the MBOX folder which you want to convert.
  • Select the email, right-click on it, and select the Save As… option.

click the save as option

  • Browse the location where you want to save the file.

choose the destination location for eml files

  • Hit the Save button (If you selected multiple emails, here the button will be Select folder).

all eml files are successfully saved

Now, you have the email message with .eml file extension. But, as we said above it is only applicable for saving Thunderbird MBOX. It simply is a free Thunderbird to EML conversion method.

Hence, it’s not relevant to MBOX files not associated with any email client. But, don’t panic!! Read the next section to get over this problem.

(ii) Another Free Solution for Mac Users

This free method is for Mac users. If you are using the Mail app, and wish to convert Apple Mail MBOX to EML, then this method is for you. Again, if you have an orphan MBOX file, then please opt for the third solution i.e., the professional method.

  • Open Mail app on your system.
  • Select the MBOX email message.
  • Click the File menu button and select the Save as button.

select save as option

  • Select Raw message source and click the Save button.

select raw source

This will save the MBOX email in EML format. Alternatively, you can also drag and drop the email message to the desktop. Anyhow, this completes the conversion process.

Professional Tool – MBOX to EML Converter

With the free version of MBOX Converter, users can export the first 25 emails from any folder completely for free. Users can load the MBOX mailboxes in the application window in two ways, using MBOX files or MBOX folders. The application is easy to install and use on a Windows computer.

In the meantime, you can opt for the full version to convert as many mailbox files as you like. It supports batch conversion of multiple emails at once while preserving the email attributes.

Download for Windows     Download for Mac

Stepwise Procedure to Convert MBOX Files to EML

You can follow these simple steps to understand the full functionality of this program.

1: Start MBOX to EML Converter and choose one option from Select Files or Select Folders for adding mailboxes (MBOX) in the software catalog.

Start MBOX to EML Converter

2: Now you can see your selected MBOX files in the software panel, choose desired mailbox files and press the Next button.

select MBOX files

3: The tool offers several saving formats, choose EML as saving format because in this blog post we are especially discussing the process to convert .mbox to .eml extension.

choose EML as saving format

4: Select file naming option as per your need for storing resultant emails by subject, date, from, auto increment, etc. and hit on Next button.

apply file naming option

5: Now, the conversion process is running, please wait.

conversion process is running

6: Once the software successfully converts MBOX to EML files, click the OK button.

conversion is successful

7: After completion, it will maintain the folder structure and automatically open the destination path. Here is your resultant data in .eml format.

your resultant data

This ends the process to convert MBOX to EML format.

From the above, we can easily conclude that this is one of the best solutions available in recent times. Also, it is very comfortable for non-technical users. It is not necessary to have advanced technical knowledge or guidance to perform the MBOX data to EML conversion process. 

Summary of Benefits and Features of Tool

The application proves to be the best and most powerful utility for converting selective or multiple MBOX files into EML file format. Some key features of this toolkit are as follows:

  • It supports MBOX files of all origins, whether orphan or associated with an email application.
  • The tool offers dual ways to add MBOX file(s).
  • Users can batch convert multiple mailbox files to EML without any restrictions.
  • The utility provides the ability to transfer emails with all properties such as To, Cc, Bcc, E-mail headers, etc. into the EML file format.
  • Provides naming convention.
  • It previews all the MBOX emails within its interface before conversion.
  • The software also asks to keep or ignore the hierarchy of internal system folders during the export process.

Ending Notes

The MBOX to EML converter is one of the best ways to get intended results. You can download and try the free trial version. It will convert the first 25 email messages from MBOX format. After receiving the desired results, you can purchase the license to complete the conversion.

Of course, you can use the aforementioned manual methods to convert MBOX files to EML for free. They are quite easy and convenient to use if you have the associated email applications.