PCV to PST Conversion – Import MozBackup File in Outlook

MozBackup creates a PCV file when taking backup of an email client like Mozilla Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, etc. This PCV file is the proprietary format of MozBackup, so other applications do not support it. We will be addressing a query that requires PCV to PST Conversion since the user wants to open this MozBackup file in Outlook.

The query is as follows:

Source: Microsoft Community Forum

As for the answer, first, you need to understand that Microsoft has no obligation to keep track of all the email formats used globally and provide a way to import them into Outlook. After all, PCV is the proprietary format of the MozBackup application. It is neither a practical nor reasonable scenario.

Logic Behind PCV to PST Conversion

MozBackup allows you to create a backup of several email clients like:

• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Mozilla SeaMonkey
• Spicebird Mail
• Netscape Mail
• Postbox Mail

What it actually does is compress the profile folder that contains all the mailbox data like emails, contacts, calendars, etc. And later save them in their own PCV format.

This PCV file is simply a modified ZIP file. So, it is easy to extract data from the PCV file and import MozBackup to Outlook. All you need to do is use a PCV to PST Converter.

Note: The reason we are suggesting a converter is that Outlook does not support the MozBackup PCV files. And there are no official Microsoft tools to get this done. Read the article to understand how easy our method makes the entire conversion process.

How to Convert MozBackup PCV to Outlook PST?

PCV to PST Conversion involves 3 simple steps:

• Step 1: Decompress the PCV file to get the mailbox
• Step 2: Convert extracted mailbox to PST
• Step 3: Import PST file in Outlook

The last step is not mandatory. If you want to access the converted data in Outlook, you will need to import them into it. The last step contains the import instructions.

Let’s get started now.

Step 1: Decompress the PCV file to get the mailbox

Before starting, make sure to copy the PCV file and keep it as a backup of the original elsewhere. Just for future sake. Once done, follow the given instructions.

• Select the PCV file, right-click on it.
• Then, click on Properties in the given list of options.
• Select .pcv, and replace it with .zip. Don’t worry, PCV is nothing more than a modified ZIP, so this step will not change anything.

• Then, click the OK button.
• You will get a prompt asking for extension change confirmation. Click the Yes button.

• Now, the file has become a ZIP file.
• After that, use a tool like WinZip, WinRAR, 7zip, or others to extract the data from this ex-PCV file.

• That’s it.

After extraction, you will get a profile folder that contains all kinds of files. We will focus on the main files that contain email messages i.e., the MBOX file (having no extension).

This file will be present in Mail and ImapMail folders. You may also come across SBD folders inside them containing more no-extension MBOX files. This folder is responsible for maintaining the folder structure.

Step 2: Convert extracted mailbox to PST

In this section, we will be using MBOX to PST Converter to perform PCV to PST conversion. You are already aware of the no-extension MBOX files like Inbox, Sent, etc. We will simply add the folder containing all these files and sub-folders into the software and easily convert MozBackup to Outlook PST format.

The steps are as follows:

• Launch the tool on your system and click on the Select Folders

• Browse and add the folder containing all the MBOX files, then click Next

• After that, select PST from the list of given options.

• Apply other settings as per requirements, and select the destination path where you want to save the PST file.

• Once done, click on Ok It will automatically open the folder containing PST files.

• That’s it.

This completes the PCV to PST conversion. You can use the PST file as per your requirements.

If you want to import this file in Outlook so as to read MozBackup emails in Outlook, you can get the relevant instruction in the next section.

Step 3: Import the Resultant PST file(s) in Outlook

• Run Microsoft Outlook on your Windows system.
• Click on the File menu, select Open & Export, then click Import/Export

• Choose Import from another program or file, then again click on Next

• After that, click Outlook data file (.pst) and then again click on Next

• Click on Browse, select the PST file, then click on Next

• Finally, click the Finish

It’s done. With this, you have successfully imported MozBackup to Outlook.

Final Thoughts

The article covers the complete process of converting PCV to PST files. It also provides additional steps to import your PCV data into Outlook. The aforementioned solution can easily scan and convert the MozBackup files to Outlook supported format. The generated PST file is supported on Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 & 2003.