How to Convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX File Quickly
Earlier times Windows Live Mail (WLM) was very much in use as a desktop email client, mostly for Windows users. However, it’s now outdated and discontinued by Microsoft; now most of the users are in search to convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX file as MBOX file format is supported by different email clients such as Thunderbird, Eudora, etc.
In this article, we’ll discover why users are searching to export WLM to MBOX with both manual and automated methods, so that you can access your file effectively. But first, let’s know about file formats
What are Windows Live Mail (WLM) and MBOX Files?
Before we get to the solution, let’s quickly understand what these files are:
- Windows Live Mail (WLM) stores emails in .elm file format, which is a single file for each conversation.
- MBOX stores multiple emails in a single file, also it is supported by many email clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird.
To convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX format, you must required to convert emails into an .EML file and then convert it into .MBOX files.
Why Need to Export Windows Live Mail to MBOX Format?
Living in a dynamic world also with an increase in demand to have access to files as well as to secure data, now mostly users prefer to use MBOX as a file format. Here are some reasons why to migrate Windows Live Mail to MBOX:
- Compatibility issue: Most email clients don’t accept WLM files, but looking at the MBOX file, it is universally acceptable.
- End of support: MS has already announced the discontinuation of support for WLM, as there is a risk of safety, and it’s less functional.
- Email client migration: if you want to migrate or change to a different email client, like WLM to Thunderbird, then you must required to convert Windows Live Mail to an MBOX file.
- Backup & movability: WLM can’t be moved or backed up easily, while MBOX can be easily accessed.
As a result, users have their growing demand to convert WLM to MBOX as they want to keep their files secure and accessible in the future too.
How to Convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX Format?
The process to export WLM to MBOX can be done:
- Using an Automation Tool, or
- Either use a Manual Method
Let’s quickly discuss their working:
Method 1: Convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX Using an Automated Method
To avoid the issues or errors which we might face while using manual ways, we’ll recommend that you use the SysTools Windows Live Mail Converter Tool as it’s most efficient method to migrate Windows Live Mail to MBOX files
This advanced tool is made to Export WLM to MBOX format, while ensuring the data structure remains intact, including emails, attachments, and other folders. Let’s explore more features
Benefits of this Professional Tool
- It can bulk convert WLM to MBOX files in a time.
- This tool maintains the data structure, formatting intact, according to their original position.
- It also supports attachments, which are attached to emails
- Automatically locates the path directory in your system.
- No installation of Thunderbird or other email client required.
- It’s also compatible with older versions of Windows.
Quickly discuss its working:
Steps to use:
- Download and run the automated conversion tool
- Click Add Files to upload your files from your system.
- Pop-up will come up, which will ask to auto-detect the storage location and browse for the storage location.
- Browse your .EML files by clicking OK, then to Add file.
- It will scan your files by details like folder, size, etc
- Click OK tab as the scanning process is successfully done.
- Press export on top panel, click on MBOX tab to export WLM to MBOX file.
- Then, go to Advanced Settings where you can select the date, subject feature.
- Click on Destination button to save your file where you want.
- Then, finally, you can press on export tab to convert WLM to MBOX.
- Provide the location to save the report in MBOX format.
- Nav to given location, and you can view the data, which has been converted into MBOX file format.
Note: if Windows Live Mail is installed on your system, then you should click on auto option or if not, then you should click on browse option.
Note: This is an automated solution, but most of the users till now accept to use manual method they know, so here is the full explanation of manual method too.
Method 2: Manual Way to Convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX Completely Free
There is no way to export WLM to MBOX data manually, but if you use Thunderbird, which is an email client which supports MBOX format. Let’s follow these steps to convert WLM to MBOX. This will be done in phases like:
#1 Extract EML Files from Windows Live Mail
- Open Windows Live Mail (WLM)
- Select the conversations that you want to export.
- Then, drag and drop into a new folder on your system where these messages will be saved in .EML file format.
#2 Installation of Thunderbird
- Download and run Mozilla Thunderbird on your operating system (Windows)
- Open and make a new folder to keep your messages in.
#3 Import .EML Files into Thunderbird
- Select all EML files by pressing Ctrl+A from your folder, and then drag and drop them to your new Thunderbird folder.
- Your folder which is made in Thunderbird, is now automatically considered an MBOX folder (previously an EML folder)
#4 Locate your MBOX Folder
- Navigate to Thunderbird path directory, which is mostly saved in AppData, to find MBOX folder you made.
Limitations to Convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX Using Manual Method
- If you’ve a large mailbox, then it will be very difficult as well as time-consuming to do.
- Using manual method, there will be no guarantee that your file data remains intact, irrespective of attachments and other formats.
- Also, user is required to have some technical knowledge to operate this.
- Lastly, there is no in-built batch conversion option.
You must require a professional automation solution to export WLM to MBOX, as the manual method takes a lot of time, but this will migrate Windows Live Mail to MBOX in a few steps.
Read Also: How to Import Windows Live Mail to Outlook?
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve discussed how to convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX file format using both manual and automated methods. Converting manually is very risky due to accidental deletion, and is used for a limited number of emails. For a more reliable solution, we recommend that you use the aforementioned tool as it will help you a lot to export WLM to MBOX, while also keeping the data structure and formatting intact.
FAQs on How to Convert Windows Live Mail to MBOX Format
Q.1 Which email client can open or accept MBOX files?
A. Email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora, also Apple Mail can accept to import MBOX file format.
Q.2 Can I export WLM to MBOX file manually?
A. Yes, you can export manually by drag and drop the EML file into Thunderbird folder, but if you want to export large files, then it’s not a reliable solution; you should choose the suggested method above.
Q.3 Do Attachments or Formatting Remain the Same Using Manual Method?
A. No, it will not remain same. If you use a professional solution like mentioned above, then all data structures, including attachments and formatting, will be completely preserved.