How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?

Written By
Shivansh Shukla

Updated on
September 13th, 2025

7 minutes Read
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Introduction: Think of your email history as a treasure box safely locked away in an old MBOX format, containing important conversations, attachments, and files. Now, if you are switching to Outlook, this means you need the data in a light and simple format like MSG. So, to convert MBOX to MSG for productivity, you’ve come to the right place. This guide has an efficient MBOX Converter and other free solutions.

I’ve got a bulk archive of MBOX files from my legacy Thunderbird setup. But due to some unforeseen changes, now I’m switching to Outlook for work. How can I convert mbox file to msg mac format without losing any attachments or metadata? I also need to do it in bulk to save time; which is the most cost-efficient way available?

Barbara Brown

Understanding the Formats and Need to Export MBOX to MSG

Both MBOX and MSG formats email data in different ways and for distinct ecosystems. Yet, they both share the same core function of storing email data. 

>> MBOX is a generic mailbox format that stores messages from a folder into one database file. Commonly used mail clients are Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, PostBox, Netscape, Eudora, and Opera. 

>> MSG is a proprietary file format developed by Microsoft for storing a single email message containing attachments, sender/recipient identification, and subject line. The MSG format is native to Microsoft Outlook.

Furthermore, saving MBOX to MSG format is necessary when you are:

  • Migrating from Thunderbird or other client (MBOX file) to Microsoft Outlook (MSG file).
  • Need to open or view the MBOX emails directly in Outlook. 
  • Want to save or share single emails with colleagues using Outlook format.
  • Required by law to keep emails in a common, self-contained file in a neutral archive format like MSG.
  • MSG files can be indexed individually and are easy to organize, search, and sort.

How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?

We will study different free methods and an automated tool in this section for the conversion. You can follow any of these methods as per your preferences. Also, explore why users consider the tool-based solution as the best one. 

Method 1: Convert MBOX File to MSG Online Free

This method is for Windows users and utilizes MS Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird applications to perform the conversion. The steps in this method are divided into two sections for a clear and easy understanding:

Section 1: Convert MBOX to EML 

  1. Start the Thunderbird application and install the ImportExportTools NG extension in it.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  2.  
  3. Ensure you have your MBOX files stored in Thunderbird, or else, use the extension to add them.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  4.  
  5. After that, right-click on the MBOX folder, click ImportExportTools →Export all Messages in Folder.
  6. Then, select the EML Message Format, and the type in which you want the files.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  7.  
  8. At last, a dialog shows to choose the output folder, pick it, and click Select Folder.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?

Section 2: Change MBOX to MSG (EML→MSG)

  1. Once you have secured .eml files on your desktop, open MS Outlook.
  2. Next, drag and drop EML in your Outlook account or use Open With.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  3.  
  4. Afterward, click File from the ribbon and from the options, press Save As.
  5. Later, choose Outlook Message Format-Unicode (*.msg) from the file type.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  6.  
  7. In the end, select the folder where to save and click Save.

Method 2: Convert MBOX to MSG on Mac OS

In this method, you need access to Apple Mail and Outlook for Mac. The steps to follow here are:

  1. Start Apple Mail and from File, click the Import Mailboxes option.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  2.  
  3. Then, choose Files in MBOX Format and click Continue to proceed.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?
  4.  
  5. Further, locate the .mbox on your macOS and click Choose to open it.
  6. Once done, drag and drop these emails from Mac Mail on your Mac desktop.
  7. The MBOX files are saved in EML format on the Mac.
  8. Now, again, drag and drop the EML files into your Outlook for Mac
  9. At last, using Save As, complete the process to export MBOX to MSG.
    How to Convert MBOX to MSG With Attachment in Bulk?

How the Manual Method Falls Short?

Though it is free, suitable for individual users or those with a few MBOX files for conversion. This method cannot be useful to enterprises, IT professionals, and business users. Here’s why:

  • It involves many steps, is technical, and takes a lot of time.
  • These are not applicable to convert large volumes of MBOX files.
  • You need to have a specific application installed and running on Mac and Windows separately. 
  • There are no options for customization and no guarantee to retain the data structure. 

So, generally, users try to switch to a more reliable, secure, and automated approach. As it may save time, cost, and effort altogether. Also, using it, you can even convert MBOX to CSV and other formats. Find out in detail about this smart utility below. 

Method 3: Convert MBOX to MSG Effortlessly 

MacSonik MBOX Converter is an all-in-one solution for your bulk MBOX conversions with attachments. It allows you to change MBOX files while keeping their original structure maintained and needs no technical expertise. Additionally, you can use it on any Mac or Windows OS without any additional applications. Moreover, the tool offers unique filters and has many file formats to save MBOX in formats other than an Outlook MSG file. Like, you can convert MBOX file to DOC and so or even save in several email clients with ease. 

What is the Process of Saving MBOX to MSG?

  1. Launch the MBOX to MSG Converter and choose to Add File.
  2. Navigate through the folders on your OS and pick MBOX files. Tap Next.
  3. Afterward, choose the folders after previewing through the tree hierarchy.
  4. Click Next and further, opt for the MSG file format from the drop-down list.
  5. Finally, pick your destination folder with Path and click Convert.

Barbara Brown Output:
A legal team from the UK needed to archive a 10-year-old collection of Thunderbird (MBOX) emails into MSG files for an audit. Initially, they attempted to manually change MBOX to MSG, but they either lost attachments or got corrupted date information. Later, using MBOX to Outlook MSG Converter, they preserved folder structure with attachments and created a searchable archive. The cost of the tool was not significant when compared to the time saved and the risk of losing any data.


Conclusion

As said, time is money, and in a world where data is key, security and efficiency are essential. Relying on manual methods to convert MBOX to MSG will waste time, incur risk, and may lead to serious data loss. Whereas a professional conversion tool will help ensure you receive optimum results. Plus, the guarantee that original attachments and metadata are preserved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How does the software make sure that the company’s email data complies with legal needs?

Ans: This is a key concern for users. The MacSonik MBOX Conversion Tool works offline from your native local machine. So, you get the satisfaction that your sensitive MBOX data is never uploaded to any other server or cloud-hosted services during conversion. Everything is secure on your desktop, and it respects your data sovereignty.

Q2. We use cloud-based email archives. Can I convert MBOX files to MSG directly from Google Workspace?

Ans: This is general as businesses are moving to the cloud. The process generally involves two components. 
1. First, you need to export mailboxes from the cloud admin console (Google Vault) to your local machine in an MBOX file. 
This is a normal function within backup and archival functions. 
2. After you have the MBOX files downloaded on your local PC or Mac, download MBOX File Converter and convert those MBOX files in batch to MSG.

About The Author:

Shivansh Shukla is a technical content writer who researches and provides reliable solutions to help users resolve their problems. He offers effective procedures for email migration, data backup, and file conversion for all technical and non-technical users.

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