Top 4 Ways to Convert OST to MBOX on Linux, Mac & Windows

Decided to convert OST to MBOX for hassle-free email management, handling, & looking for a trusted solution. On Linux, getting an MBOX file from OST can be easily done via open-source (readpst) command-line tool. However, for Mac & Windows OS users, process is a bit tricky. Mac users are required to use Windows, Outlook Mac & Thunderbird Mac, to get the output MBOX from OST.

Windows users only need Outlook & Thunderbird to convert OST emails to MBOX. You may choose any of the free ways depending on your OS. However, all free methods have some difficulty level, like no folder hierarchy preservation, inability to handle large OST files for MBOX conversion, & time-consuming process, etc.

A non-tech & professional users, a dedicated OST to MBOX converter tool is suggested. Such a deeply engineered solution provides output that is compatible with all MBOX-supported email clients. This promise of compatibility and data integrity is missing in the manual walkarounds. Depending on the requirement, you may go with any of the techniques described below.

Convert OST to MBOX on Linux Via OpenSource “readpst” CLI Tool

To convert OST emails into MBOX on Linux can be easily do so by installing the readpst CLI tool. You may use an open-source CLI tool by installing package using command (sudo apt install pst-utils). For preserving folder structure in resultant MBOX, enter this command (readpst -r -u filename.ost). For detailed walkarounds, follow steps below.

1. Initially, press Ctrl + Alt + T to launch terminal on your Linux device.
2. Next, run command “sudo apt update && sudo apt install pst-utils” to install the package.
3. Then, write cd and drag & drop folder contain OST files into terminal window to autofill the path.
4. Now run command “readpst -r -u filename.ost”. This -r flag will help to maintain folder hierarchy during conversion.
5. Finally, run ls command to view converted OST emails in MBOX file location.

Convert OST to MBOX on Mac Via Windows & Thunderbird Mac Bridge

To convert Windows-based OST to MBOX on Mac. Initially, we need to export OST to PST using Outlook Windows. Secondly, we need to use Mac Outlook to import PST and Thunderbird Mac to import PST to Thunderbird and export MBOX using ImportExportTools NG. The detailed working steps are described below.

1st Stage: Extract OST to PST using Windows Outlook

1. Run Outlook on Windows and click on “File” tab.
2. Now, click on Open and Export > Import/Export.
3. After that, select Export to a file > Outlook data file (.pst).
4. Finally, select “OST” file, browse storage path, & click “Finish.”

2nd Stage:  Import PST to Mac Outlook Legacy Using Import Feature

1. Launch Outlook Mac on your Mac device.
2. Now, click on File tab & select the import button.
3. Then, choose Outlook for Windows archive file (.pst) option.
4. Thereafter, add extracted PST from stage 1 & click continue to finish the import process.

3rd Stage: Use Thunderbird Mac Native Import and ImportExportTools NG to Get OST in MBOX

1. Launch Thunderbird Mac and go to Tools > Import.
2. Next, Thunderbird detect the folders on my computer from the Mac Outlook profile.
3. After that, right-click imported folder & select ImportExportTools NG > Export Folder > MBOX
4. Finally, save converted MBOX on your Mac’s local storage.

 

Manually Convert OST Emails to MBOX for Free on Windows

To manually convert OST into MBOX format, we will use Thunderbird’s native import tool to import OST to Thunderbird. Thereafter, we will use the ImportExport Tools NG as an add-on to export Outlook OST data in MBOX format. Since OST is Outlook Windows dependent, it is simpler to convert OST into MBOX on Windows as compared to the free Mac technique.

1. Run Thunderbird on your Mac device, and click on Tools > Import.
2. Next, select Import from Outlook and tap the continue button.
3. After that, use right-click on the imported Outlook OST and select ImportExportTools NG
4. Finally, select folder export (MBOX) > As MBOX file to finish converting OST to MBOX on Windows.

Why Manual Ways Fail to Convert OST to MBOX without Outlook?

OST is a proprietary format of Microsoft used by Outlook to store mailbox data for offline use. This OST file is commonly created when account is configured with Microsoft Outlook using IMAP or Exchange server. To quickly convert OST into MBOX without Outlook, a suitable OST to MBOX converter tool is required that works with no use of Outlook MAPI interface.

Professional Recommendation OST to MBOX Converter

For a quick & secure conversion process, you may try dedicated OST to MBOX converter. This is a deeply engineered solution designed to convert orphaned OST files to MBOX without requiring the MAPI interface. Therefore, users seeking a solution that can run without Outlook may go with this professional OST converter. For a detailed working tutorial for flawless conversion, follow the steps described below.

How to Use MailsWare OST to MBOX Toolkit without Outlook Working?

1. At the start, download & run MailsWare OST to MBOX converter.
2. Next, click on the Select Files or Select Folders option to add OST files.
3. After that, select the OST emails folder required to convert into MBOX from the folder tree.
4. Then, select the saving option as MBOX from the saving option list menu.
5. Finally, choose output storage path & click convert to start conversion of OST.

Concluding Words

To sum up the above blog on the topic of how to convert OST to MBOX on Linux, Mac & Windows. We have discussed 4 tested methods to get the job done. In this blog guide, we have seen three manual free techniques dedicated to each Linux, Mac & Windows OS. Secondly, we have discussed a powerful OST to MBOX converter that can run without Outlook dependency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How to convert OST to MBOX?

If you want to change your OST file into MBOX format securely, then you can try all listed methods in this blog to convert OST to MBOX. Whether you are using Windows, Linux, or a Mac PC. All above mentioned solution works well to done conversion of OST files.

Q2. Where can I download a reliable OST to MBOX converter?

You can download & try given trusted, automatic, reliable OST to MBOX converter by clicking button above, and migrate OST to MBOX, accurately with full data integrity, & folder hierarchy.

Q3. Are there free tools to convert OST files into MBOX?

This automatic tool comes with a free trial version, which converts 25 items from each folder. You can download this software by using buttons given above in this blog.

Q4. How can I convert OST files to MBOX format easily?

If you want to convert OST to MBOX, so easiest technique is to use a reliable converter tool to change OST to MBOX easily & securely. You can try given automatic tool above for quick conversion.