{"id":28380,"date":"2018-11-26T12:23:27","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T12:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/?p=28380"},"modified":"2026-01-02T09:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T09:40:09","slug":"how-to-convert-mbox-file-into-eml-file","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stellarinfo.com\/blog\/how-to-convert-mbox-file-into-eml-file\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Convert MBOX file into EML File?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mozilla Thunderbird uses MBOX file format to store messages. But, there are a few downsides to using MBOX file format that often push users to convert MBOX into EML file format.<\/p>

Why Users Convert MBOX to EML<\/strong><\/h2>

Below are some reasons why users prefer converting MBOX to EML<\/strong>:<\/p>

Method 1 — Using the ‘Save As’ Option in Thunderbird<\/strong><\/h3>

MBOX is not compatible with many email clients such as Microsoft Outlook, Windows Live Mail, DreamMail etc. But, EML file format is compatible with all these email applications.<\/p>

Method 2 — Convert MBOX to EML with ImportExportTools NG<\/strong><\/h3>

The formatting of an EML file is similar to that of an MHT file. This makes it possible to open an EML file in the Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Opera browsers, by changing the .eml extension to .mht. You can also view an EML file by using a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad or any other. But, MBOX file cannot be opened in browsers and text editors.<\/p>

How to Set Up and Use ImportExportTools NG<\/h2>

Following are two methods that you can use to convert MBOX files to EML files<\/strong> format:<\/p>

Method 1 – Use the ‘Save As’ Or ‘Save selected messages’ Option<\/h3>

Use any of the following options to save individual or selected MBOX mail messages to EML format:<\/p>

Steps to Use the ‘Save As’ Option<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>

Step 1:<\/strong> Right-click individual messages, or press CTRL + A<\/strong> to select all the email messages you want to export, and then choose Save As<\/strong> from the options.<\/p>

\"Export<\/figure>

Step 2:<\/strong> In the Save Message As<\/strong> window, select the folder where you want to save the files, and then click Save<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"In<\/figure>

This, by default, saves the message(s) with .eml extension at the selected location.<\/p>

Steps to Use the ‘Save Selected Message’ Option<\/strong><\/h3>

Step 1:<\/strong> Select Right-click a single <\/strong>message, or press ‘Ctrl + A’ to select all the messages that you want to convert.<\/p>

Step 2:<\/strong> Choose Save selected messages<\/strong>, and then click EML format<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"Save<\/figure>

Step 3:<\/strong> In the ‘Select the destination directory’ window, browse and choose the folder where you want to save the EML files, and then click Select Folder<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"select<\/figure>

Method 2: Use the ‘ImportExportTools’ Add-On<\/strong><\/h3>

Mozilla provides an add-on named ImportExportTools NG<\/a> that can be used for saving all the Thunderbird messages in EML format at once. You can download the tool from here<\/a>. Once you have downloaded it, follow the below-mentioned steps:<\/p>

Step 1:<\/strong> Open Mozilla Thunderbird<\/strong>.<\/p>

Step 2:<\/strong> Click Tools<\/strong> on main menu bar, and then click Add-ons<\/strong>.<\/p>

NOTE: If you’re using the Thunderbird version released in November 2012 or later, the menu bar will be hidden. You have to press ALT button if the menu bar doesn’t show up.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

\"Click<\/figure>

Step 3:<\/strong> In Add-ons Manager<\/strong> screen, select ImportExportTool<\/strong> under Featured Add-ons<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"In<\/figure>

Step 4:<\/strong> Click Add to Thunderbird<\/strong> for adding ImportExportTools NG add-on.<\/p>

\"Add<\/figure>

Step 5:<\/strong> The ‘Add ImportExportTools NG<\/strong>?’ message is displayed. Click Add<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"Click<\/figure>

Step 6:<\/strong> Once the tool gets added, click the Restart Now<\/strong> button to restart Thunderbird.<\/p>

\"Restart<\/figure>

Step 7:<\/strong> When your Thunderbird application restarts, right-click the folder you want to export.<\/p>

Step 8:<\/strong> Click ImportExportTools NG<\/strong> > Export all messages in the folder<\/strong> > EML format<\/strong>.<\/p>

\"Export<\/figure>

Step 9:<\/strong> The ‘Select the destination directory’ window is displayed. Select the folder where you want to save the EML files, and then choose Select Folder<\/strong>.<\/p>

Step 10:<\/strong> Open the exported folder from the selected destination folder. Right-click the messages folder, and select Open with<\/strong> to open a message in your choice of application.<\/p>

\"Choose<\/figure>

Difficulties You May Face with Manual Methods<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>

While the above manual methods work, there are a few challenges associated with these methods:<\/p>