How to Import MBOX File to Outlook Classic Versions? – Explained

Outlook can’t open an MBOX file directly because it has no import option for that format. To import MBOX into Outlook, you first convert the file to PST, then bring the PST in through File > Open & Export > Import/Export. SysTools converter for MBOX to PST handles the conversion and keeps attachments and folder structure, and it runs on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7. The steps below show how to move MBOX files to Outlook 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013.

When it comes to email clients, everyone wants a feature-rich and versatile email application to manage personal as well as business chores. Talking about email clients, every email client is compatible with a particular file format. Sometimes, the user needs to open a file from one email client using another email client. This can be a challenging task as the user has to carry out the conversion process. So, learn how to open an MBOX file with Outlook 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013 versions on Windows and Mac OS.

Now, consider the situation in which the user has to import an MBOX file into Outlook. This is a very complicated task for the user, as the MBOX file is not compatible with the Outlook email client. Ultimately, the user has to upload the MBOX file into an Outlook-compatible file format, i.e., a PST file. It can be difficult for users to open MBOX files in Outlook because they cannot find a smart, instant way to convert mailbox files to PST format. In this blog, we explain a reliable way to import MBOX files into Outlook Classic.

Also Read: How to Open PST File without Outlook? 2026 Guide

Method 1: Thunderbird + IMAP Account (Best for Technical Users)

This is the closest thing to a clean manual method, and it answers the Google Takeout question you left hanging.

1. Install Thunderbird and add the ImportExportTools NG add-on.
2. Right-click Local Folders, choose ImportExportTools NG, then import the MBOX file. (Alternative with no add-on: copy the MBOX file, with no extension, into the Local Folders directory of the Thunderbird profile and restart.)
3. Add an IMAP mailbox in Thunderbird (Gmail, Outlook.com, or any IMAP account). Enable IMAP in the account settings first if it’s off.
4. Drag the imported folders from Local Folders into that IMAP account. Thunderbird uploads them to the server.
5. Add the same account in Outlook (File > Add Account). The folders and messages sync down.

Limitation: It’s slow for large mailboxes, IMAP can time out on multi-gigabyte folders, and the mail ends up in an online account, not a local PST. For a Google Takeout MBOX, this is not a usual workaround.

Method 2: Export to EML Then Drag into Outlook

The steps listed below are useful for small MBOX files or a handful of folders. If your file is large, then move to method 4.

1. Import the MBOX file into Thunderbird as above.
2. Right-click the folder, choose ImportExportTools NG, then export all messages in the folder as EML.
3. In Outlook Classic, create a matching folder.
4. Open the EML folder in File Explorer, select the files, and drag them onto the Outlook folder.

Method 3: Mac OS Users Can Use Apple Mail

It requires IMAP configuration and adding the source MBOX file, and then adding the same IMAP account in the Outlook profile. 

1. In Apple Mail, use File > Import Mailboxes and pick the MBOX file.
2. Add an IMAP or Exchange account to Apple Mail.
3. Drag the imported mailbox into that account.
4. Add the same account in Outlook for Mac and let it sync.

Method 4: Import MBOX File in Outlook using Professional Tool

One can rely on SysTools MBOX to PST Converter to open an MBOX file with Outlook. The software permits the user to import MBOX emails into Outlook along with attachments. One can easily convert the mailbox data into PST file format via the software without any email client dependency. Moreover, the user interface of the utility is very easy to understand; the user can easily work with it.

The software is also integrated with the auto-detect feature, which automatically detects the MBOX files of various email clients. One can work with the utility on Windows Operating system different versions, such as Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7. Also, you can run the Mac version on Mac OS 10.8 and above editions. Next, how to import MBOX file into Outlook using this software? Both the brief and elaborate steps are given below:

Steps to Make MBOX File Openable in Microsoft Outlook

Let us first make the MBOX file importable into Microsoft Outlook. Complete step by step guide listed, simply follow:

Download Now Purchase Now

Download Now Purchase Now

Step-1. First of all, you need to download and install SysTools software on your system and launch it.

Step-2. Now, click on the Add File button to load the MBOX file that you want to open in your Outlook account.

Step-3. In the Selection Option, you need to select the Default Profile Configured option or the Select file(s)/folder from the file system option as per your needs. Here, the Select file(s)/folder from the file system option is selected for the orphan MBOX files.

Step-4. After selecting the MBOX file, click on the Next button. The software will show all the MBOX emails in the software’s interface.

Step-5. Click on the Export button. In the Export Options, you can select the Export All Folders or Export Selected Folders option as per your choice. After that, select the PST file format. Click on the Browse button to select the location to save the resulting file according to the requirements.

Step-6. Finally, click on the Export button to begin exporting MBOX to the Outlook PST file.

Step-7. Once the process is completed, you can navigate to the destination location where you saved the resulting PST file to verify the results.

Step-8. After the process is complete, add the resulting PST file to Outlook versions such as 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013. Go to Open & Export -> Import/Export -> Import from another program or file -> Next -> Outlook Data File (.pst) -> Next -> File to import -> Browse PST file -> Next -> Finish. 

Also Read: Import Thunderbird Mail to Outlook in Simple Steps

Watch Video and Import MBOX to Outlook Versions

Open & Import MBOX File in Outlook with SysTools

Many users need to know how to open an MBOX file with Mac / Windows Outlook email client. However, they cannot find a simple yet smart way to do it. Thus, in the above section, we have explained a versatile and all-rounder utility using which the user can easily import MBOX to Outlook without any hassle.

Answering Some Common Queries