How to Convert Outlook OST to MBOX Manually? – Top 2 Methods

Are you struggling with OST files and looking for solutions to import OST file to Thunderbird? Then you have reached the correct place. Here, you will find an easy way to convert OST to Thunderbird MBOX. Follow us till the end!!

OST files are supported by Microsoft Outlook for offline storage. It allows them to change synchronization for the next time they connect with the exchange server. But there are many drawbacks of OST files because of which users are migrating OST files to MBOX file format. MBOX is better than OST, and some of the reasons are given below for more understanding. Let’s begin with the reasons for the migration process.

Why Do We Need to Export OST to MBOX?

MBOX is used by 30+ email clients/services. It can store many items such as emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, etc. There are some situations where users need to import the OST folder in Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc., that supports MBOX formats only. So at this time, we need to convert OST to Thunderbird format so that the MBOX file will then open in Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Entourage, etc., email clients. The foremost reasons are listed below:

• When there is Corruption in the OST file during the backup process.
• If the emails are accidentally deleted.
• Unexpected shutdown of Maintenance exchange server.
• Crashing of Outlook and Exchange Server accidentally.
• When the shift takes place from Outlook Email Client to another.
• Switching of Job to another workplace.

After reading all the above-listed reasons users look for the best possible ways to import OST files to Thunderbird. Now, let’s start by converting them.

How to Convert OST to MBOX Manually?

There is no easy solution to import OST to Thunderbird. For this, first, you need to convert OST to PST and then PST to MBOX. Now, let’s begin with the process for conversion.

Method 1: Using Import/Export Option

• Launch the desktop-based Outlook application on your system or PC.
• Navigate to the File menu and click on the Open & Export tab.
• Now, tap on the Import/Export option to import the OST file.
• In the export to a file option, select the export to a file option and press the Next button.
• After that, choose the option Outlook Data File (.pst) and tap on the Next button.
• Then, select the folder from which you want to export the data and click on the Next button.
• In the next step, tap on the Browse button to find a specific place for the exported file.
• Choose the file and press the Open button.
• At last, select the other option as per your choice and hit the Finish button.

Method 2: Save OST Emails to PST Using Archiving Method

Outlook emails from OST files are saved within a separate PST file when the Archiving option is enabled. However, Saving the old mailbox things in the archive folder also helps to keep the mailbox size at an optimal level. Follow the simple measures below:

• Launch the Outlook application on your system.
• Locate the File tab and click on the options tab.
• Now, go to the Advanced tab and tap on the Auto Archive settings.
• After that, pick the number of days for auto-archiving to run to save the archived file, pick the folder and also provide archiving options. Press Ok.

By the above steps, the mailbox items from your OST account will be transferred to the PST file based on your archiving settings. Now, let us import the PST file to Thunderbird (MBOX) so that the you can complete the process to convert OST to Thunderbird.

Importing Outlook PST File to Thunderbird

• Open the Thunderbird application on your system or PC.
• Navigate to Display the Thunderbird Menu icon and click on the Tools option.
• Now, select the Import tab to import the Outlook PST file.
  After that, choose the Mail items and press the Next button.
• Then select the file type as Outlook and press the Next button.
• At last, your PST file is successfully imported. Hit the Finish button.

As we all know, manual methods have some drawbacks due to which users look for alternates to save their PST file to the Thunderbird MBOX file format. We have listed some of the drawbacks.

• The above-given methods consolidate more time and effort of the users.
• It can corrupt or damage your PST file at the time of importing.
• There are chances that all the emails are not successfully transferred.
• Convert OST to Thunderbird manually is not a direct process.

To neglect all the above-listed drawbacks, users are looking for a direct solution that Convert OST to MBOX instantly. In that case, we have introduced the Cigati OST to PST Converter. This utility converts OST to MBOX and many other file formats like PST, PDF, MSG, HTML, DOC, EML, etc. Also, it migrates OST files to Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Thunderbird, Office 365, Live Exchange, GoDaddy, HostGator, etc. Moreover, the software is fully developed with advanced features. You can also convert the OST files in bulk.

Conclusion

All possible manual solutions for OST to PST conversion and then from PST to MBOX have been mentioned here. We also described a straightforward solution to convert OST to Thunderbird (MBOX). If someone faces issues with manual approaches, then the third-party automated tool can be the best option. Furthermore, users can evaluate the software working by installing the free demo version of the utility.

You May Also Read: Export Contacts from OST File

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