Know How to Extract Email from MBOX File in Multiple Ways
MBOX file is one of the widely used file formats supported by a large number of email clients. For example, Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Netscape, etc. The simplified messaging structure for storage location makes MBOX file as a preferred storage format by most of the email clients. In addition, one MBOX file can store thousands of emails and each one is separated by from attributes.
Apart from all this, MBOX is flexible and easily portable in nature. A user can easily share and access it on multiple platforms and devices. However, there are some situations in which users want to extract emails from MBOX file. Like, someone has sent Thunderbird MBOX file and a user wants to access data stored in it. In this case, to access emails stored within the .mbox file, one needs to either import it in some application. Or, extract emails from MBOX file in some easy to readable file format. In order to get an idea about all that, continue reading the blog below:
“One of my friends has given me a MBOX file in a pen drive. It contains some of the important emails, which I need to access anyhow. But, I have no idea how to extract an email address from the Thunderbird folder. Can anyone help me out to extract email from Mozilla Thunderbird as it is really urgent for me.”
As discussed above, there is the number of email clients that extract or save emails in .mbox file format. So, to access MBOX file emails, a user can import MBOX file in any of the supporting email clients. Thunderbird and Apple Mail are the two free email clients on Windows and Mac OS respectively. After importing Thunderbird .mbox file in them, a user can easily extract emails from MBOX file without any hassle.
Different Options to Importing MBOX File
The very first thing that one has to do to extract emails from Thunderbird is import it any of the supporting applications i.e. :
If a user has a Thunderbird application installed on the local machine, then it is easy to importing the MBOX file in it. To do the same, follow the steps mentioned below:
- First of all, open Thunderbird application on your system
- After that, you have to create a New Folder under any existing folder. For example, under Inbox folder
- You have to right-click on the Inbox and choose New Folder option
- Now, give a name to this folder (e.g. ABC) and click on the Create Folder option
- Next, go to the default location of Thunderbird data on the local machine
- Here, you have to open ABC.sbd file and copy your MBOX file in it
- Then, close Thunderbird application and restart it again.
After following all the above steps carefully, you can easily access your MBOX file data in Thunderbird under the ABC folder.
All Possible Ways to Extract Emails From MBOX File
Note: this method uses the Mozilla Thunderbird application. For a method that does not involve Thunderbird, head towards the alternate solution.
When .mbox file is imported in the Mozilla Thunderbird application successfully, a user can easily extract messages from Thunderbird. And, all of them are discussed below:
- Extract all Emails from Thunderbird MBOX
One option to extract emails stored in MBOX file is in EML file format. A user just needs to drag and drop the required emails from Thunderbird to any desired location. It will be extracted in the EML file format. In the case of the number of files, a user has to drag and drop each and every file one by one to a specific location in EML format. - Extract MBOX File in PDF Format
Another option to retrieve emails from MBOX file is in PDF format. For this, a user can take the help of Print service in Thunderbird.
Now, to do the same properly, follow the steps mentioned below:
- To start the process, open Mozilla Thunderbird application on the system
- After that, select the email from MBOX file that you want to extract
- Then, right-click on the email and choose Print… option
- Now, from Name field, choose PDF option from the drop-down menu
- Next, you have to click on the OK button
- Choose any desired location on the location and give a unique to it
- At last, click on the OK button and your email gets exported in PDF format
In the case of the number of emails, a user needs to follow the above steps for each of them. However, bulk migration is not allowed. Apart from EML and PDF format, if a user wants to extract emails from MBOX file in some other format, switch to some other solution.
Alternative Approach to Export Email From Mozilla Thunderbird
SysTools MBOX Converter Software is one such application that allows users to extract MBOX file to multiple file formats. With the help of this tool, a user can view MBOX data within the software interface and export to file formats like PDF, MSG, PST, NSF, HTML and EML. One can choose any of the desired file formats based on his or her preference. In addition, it allows bulk conversion also to save lots of time. A user can easily install this application on any version of the Windows operating system. The software is designed in such a manner that it supports MBOX file of any email client without any restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simply, follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Open Thunderbird and click on Address Book option from the menu bar
2. After that, click on the Tools option and then on the Export.. option
3. Then, click give a name to the file and choose any desired Save as type:
4. Choose the desired location on the local machine and click on the Save button
You can extract emails from MBOX to multiple file formats such as PDF, PST, EML, HTML, plain text, MSG, etc. However, you may have to implement different strategies for each file format.
For manual extraction, the use of an MBOX-supportive email application is required. Mozilla Thunderbird is one such email client which is also available for free.
In case you do not want to use external email client, or cannot find the required file format to do so, you may go for automated solution. It provides MBOX file extraction to PST, PDF, EML, MSG, HTML and NSF.