How to Convert OST to MBOX format? Complete Solution

Convert OST Files to MBOX: Demand In Real Scenarios

Through this section, understand when IT admins and professionals must get on with .olm to .mbox conversion. 

• Decommissioned Exchange or IMAP Accounts

When a user leaves the company or the Exchange Server shuts down. The IT teams typically find they have OST files tied to expired credentials. Converting the OST file to MBOX provides another way of accessing historical email in open-source clients.

• Moving/Transitioning from MS Outlook to Another Platform

Thunderbird is the most popular option when users decide to switch from Outlook OLM to MBOX. Some other clients that need this file format too are Apple Mail, Entourage, Netscape, Opera Mail, Eudora, etc.

• Forensic or Legal Needs

The users are most likely involved with company data from archived emails from old OSTs. Perhaps a legal team may want to have access to them for discovery or compliance. Or, the client has a legal obligation to preserve old archived emails. With convert OST to MBOX, they get a readable, portable option without relying on Microsoft infrastructure.

“Think beyond just being able to access email. OST to MBOX is a format survival strategy for professionals who find themselves in a lock-out situation with their Outlook. An OST is used when a server is decommissioned or embarking on an open-sourced format transition.”

How Can You Convert Outlook OST to MBOX?

This is a question you all are looking to find solutions for, and this section elaborates on the same. It briefs over a few manual processes and a verified professional tool, which makes the process fast and smooth with accuracy.

Manual Approach to Export OST File to MBOX

Get to learn these two manual solutions below with their step-by-step process and limitations.

Convert OST to MBOX (Outlook + Thunderbird)

This process is divided into two phases; you just need to follow them one by one:

Phase 1: Convert OST File to PST

1. Open an Outlook account that is connected to the cached OST account.
2. Then, begin with Import/Export dialog and select within it, Export to file.
3. Opt for Outlook Data File (.pst) and continue in the interface by clicking Next.
4. Further, select the OST file from the displayed Inbox and choose for subfolders.
5. Click Next and browse a path where you will save this .pst and set the option for duplicates.
6. Finally, click the Finish button and then move to the next phase. 

Phase 2: Convert PST to MBOX File

1. Now, you need to start Mozilla Thunderbird and open its Import feature.
2. After that, selecting Import from Outlook, you need to add the PST to Thunderbird.
3. Then, get the ImportExportTools NG for your profile in Thunderbird.
4. Later, using it, export the imported PST files as MBOX to complete the OST conversion. 

For more details, refer to: Convert PST to MBOX.

Convert OST to MBOX (PST Outlook + GWMMO + Google Takeout)

This method is also divided into three phases for a secure and effective conversion. You can follow the steps from the outlines below:

Phase 1: Convert OST to PST File 

First, using the steps stated above in Method 1 (Phase 1), you need to change OST to PST.

Phase 2: Then, Migrate PST to Google Services

First, you can either import PST to Gmail via an IMAP connection between Outlook and Gmail accounts. 

Alternatively, you can directly import PST to Google Workspace by using these steps:

1. Download, install, and run the GWMMO Tool. It is known as the Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Outlook Tool. 
2. Then, log in to it after allowing all the required permissions, and the import dialog appears.
3. Further, select …From PST File(s) in Step 1, alongwith the new or all data to import option. 
4. Click Next. Proceed by picking the specific emails, contacts, and more components that you want to import.
5. Apply other options and hit Migrate to process and finalize the import. Lastly, click OK.

Phase 3: Convert OST to MBOX without Outlook

1. Now, get started with Google Takeout. And then the first thing to do is click Deselect All.
2. After that, choose for Mail→Next Step→ Apply conditions.
3. In the end, click the Create Export button. After downloading the ZIP file, everything is in the MBOX format.

Why the Manual Methods are not Preferred?

Although you can see above that the processes are too lengthy, whether you go for 1st way or the 2nd. It consumes too much time, effort, and has no assurance. Moreover, these methods are only suitable for a few OST files, i.e., no option for bulk conversions. There are size limitations, and sometimes only one or two files can be exported as MBOX at once. 

Other than that, these methods cannot retain the data integrity and folder structure, even result in missing or corrupted files. Users with no tech knowledge or skill will find these too complex and frustrating, especially when in a hurry. So, to avoid all of it and ensure you can recover your OSTs, or migrate them, or for any other reason, convert them to MBOX. We have a reliable and proficient utility, discussed in the following section.

Automated Utility that Effortlessly Convert OST to MBOX

For orphaned OSTs, encrypted archives, or when MS Outlook is unavailable, the OST Converter Tool offers the safest and effective option. It requires no Outlook dependency and performs bulk conversions of OSTs with several advanced filters and preview features. Additionally, it works on both Mac and Windows systems and doesn’t need any specialization. Moreover, users have multiple saving options, including MBOX.

Example Case: “An IT admin at a legal firm recovered 17 GB of OST data from a decommissioned Exchange account. He needed to extract emails for Mozilla Thunderbird access. Using a dedicated OST to MBOX Converter utility, they completed the task with full folder hierarchy and metadata preserved.”

Tool Functionality: Processing Convert OST Files to MBOX Format

1. Firstly, download a validated OST to MBOX Converter Tool.
2. Run the tool and click Add OST. Import multiple OSTs or scan orphaned files.
3. Then, using the preview area, check the data and pick those files to save.
4. Further, in the output format, click MBOX to choose it. Also, apply features (optional).
5. At last, set a destination for the .mbox file and then, ultimately, tap Convert.

A few minutes later, you’ll receive clean MBOX files for import to Thunderbird or Apple Mail.

Explore More: Convert OST to EML

Conclusion

If you are looking to convert OST to MBOX, especially without Outlook, then the manual method works only in a limited scenario. Also, they are only ideal for Windows users and not for Mac users. Therefore, for full control, safety, and speed, a professional converter tool is the most dependable solution. You can download the demo version for its try or get in touch with our tech experts for consultation. 

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