Explore Free Methods to Export OST Files to MBOX Files-Full Guide
You can't open OST files in email clients that aren't Outlook, and they aren't portable. OST files can become orphaned if the Exchange account is no longer accessible or the Outlook profile is deleted. MBOX files are more flexible and can be used on more than one platform. FixVare OST to MBOX Converter is helpful for users because:
Move your Outlook emails to Thunderbird or Apple Mail
Get mailbox data without needing Exchange
Make a backup of emails in an open format
Move away from Microsoft Outlook and use open-source platforms instead.
Microsoft doesn't offer a direct way to export OST to MBOX for free, but there are some indirect manual methods that work.
Free Method 1: Use Outlook to export OST to PST, and then import it to MBOX.
This is one of the most popular free ways to get around.
Steps:
Start Microsoft Outlook with the profile that is connected to the OST file.
Make sure that the OST file is completely in sync with the Exchange server.
Select Import/Export from the File menu.
Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) from the list of options when you click Export to a file.
Export the folders you need to a PST file.
Put Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.
The ImportExportTools NG add-on for Thunderbird lets you import emails and save them in MBOX format.
Limitations:
Needs an Outlook profile that works and access to Exchange
Not useful for OST files that are missing or broken
Risk of losing the folder structure
Takes a long time for big mailboxes
Method 2: Drag and drop emails from Outlook to Thunderbird for free
This method works well for exporting small amounts of data.
Steps:
Set up both Outlook and Thunderbird on the same computer.
Open both programs at the same time.
Choose folders or emails in Outlook.
Put them in Thunderbird folders by dragging and dropping them.
Thunderbird automatically saves these emails in MBOX format.
Limitations:
Slow and manual process
Not possible for bulk export
The order of folders may not be kept.
A lot of room for human error
Use Gmail IMAP as a Bridge for Free Method 3
Using Gmail as a middleman is another free way to do this.
How to do it:
Use IMAP settings to set up Gmail in Outlook.
Connect your Outlook OST data to your Gmail account.
Set up the same Gmail account in Thunderbird after you install it.
Thunderbird downloads emails and saves them on your computer in MBOX format.
Limitations:
It depends on how fast your internet is and how much space Gmail has.
Risk of emails being sent twice or not at all
Concerns about privacy and security
Not a good idea for business data
Problems with Free Methods
Even though free methods might seem like a good way to save money, they have a lot of problems:
No help for OST files that are broken or lost
Risk of losing data during conversion
No options for selective export
No guarantee that the metadata is correct
Needs technical know-how and a lot of tools
Because of these problems, free methods don't work for big or professional migrations.
When is it best to hire a professional?
Professional tools are a safer option for users who have big OST files, Exchange accounts that are hard to get to, or important business data. offers dedicated solutions that let you export OST files directly to MBOX format without needing to connect to Outlook or Exchange. These tools make sure that data is safe, keep the folder structure, and allow for bulk conversions.
Conclusion
If you want to switch from Outlook to Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or another MBOX-compatible client, you need to export your OST files to MBOX format. There are a few free ways to do this, but they are indirect, take a long time, and don't work very well. Free methods may work for small, easy-to-reach OST files, but they don't always work for bigger or more complicated migrations. Before choosing a method, Fixvare suggests carefully thinking about the size of the mailbox, how sensitive the data is, and how easy it is to get to. Professional tools are still the best choice for accurate, safe, and easy conversion.
More Info:- https://www.fixvare.com/products/ost/mbox/