How to Export Office 365 to MBOX Format

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Export Office 365 to MBOX

In 2026, Office 365 stores emails in a cloud-based environment and does not provide a direct option to export mailboxes in MBOX format. However, MBOX remains a widely used file format for email clients such as Thunderbird and other email clients. Therefore, many users need this conversion when they switch email platforms and backup requirements. Several approaches accomplish the conversion process. In this guide, we will explain the most appropriate methods and the steps required to successfully export Office 365 to MBOX.

Why Export Emails from Office 365 to MBOX?

To move your emails from Office 365 to MBOX offers greater control and long-term flexibility. Below are the key reasons why many users export to MBOX;

  • The MBOX files are suitable for multiple cross-platform that make it more flexible.
  • Exported MBOX files are accessible without an internet connection.
  • You can store or share legal files in a universally accessible MBOX format.
  • Create a local backup of Office 365 emails to protect against accidental file deletion.
  • MBOX files are suitable for long-term storage and email archiving.
  • Moreover, the MBOX files open on email clients, such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, SeaMonkey,

Now, proceed further to see the methods that help you convert Office 365 Mailbox to MBOX.

Top 3 Methods to Export Office 365 Emails to MBOX

Here, we will discuss the best methods that accomplish the exportation process. Follow any of the methods to export Office 365 emails to the MBOX format.

  1. Thunderbird (IMAP)
  2. Outlook and Thunderbird
  3. Automated Software

Method 01: Use Thunderbird (IMAP Method) to Export Office 365 to MBOX

This is the most commonly used manual method. It works by syncing Office 365 emails to Mozilla Thunderbird and then exporting them as MBOX files.

Process to Export Office 365 Emails:

  1. First, you have to install Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. Then, you have to open Thunderbird >> Add Mail Account.
  3. After that, enter your Office 365 login credentials.
  4. Now, you have to configure using IMAP settings.
  5. Likewise, allow Thunderbird to fully sync all your mailbox folders.
  6. In the same manner, right-click on the required mailbox folders.
  7. Afterward, select the Export (via ImportExportTools NG add-on).
  8. Lastly, you have to save the folder in the MBOX folder.

Drawback of this Method

  • You need a stable internet connection for synchronization.
  • The large mailboxes may take a lot of time to sync emails.
  • For this method, you need a manual installation of the required add-ons.
  • There are high chance of missing attachments at the time of download.

Method 02: Use Outlook + Thunderbird to Export Office 365 to MBOX

To accomplish this method, you have to export Office 365 mailbox data into a PST file using Microsoft Outlook. After that, convert that PST file into MBOX format with Mozilla Thunderbird. Since Office 365 does not support direct MBOX export, this indirect approach helps achieve the goal manually.

Step 01: Configure Office 365 Account in Microsoft Outlook

  1. To initiate, launch Microsoft Outlook on your system.
  2. After that, click on the File from the top menu and select the Add Account.
  3. Now, enter your Office 365 email address and click on the Connect option.
  4. Then, you have to enter the account password and complete authentication.
  5. At last, wait until Outlook finishes syncing all mailbox folders, such as the Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, and others.

Remember: Before you proceed further, make sure Outlook is fully synchronised with all the emails.

Step 02: Export Office 365 Mailbox to PST Using Outlook

  1. For this, Open Outlook on your system and then click File >> Open & Export.
  2. After that, select the Import/Export option.
  3. Now, you have to choose Export to a file, then click Next.
  4. Next, select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
  5. Afterward, choose the Office 365 mailbox or required folders and enable Include subfolders.
  6. Moreover, click Next and choose a location to save the PST file.
  7. Likewise, set password protection if needed, or leave it blank and click on Finish.

Step 03: Install Mozilla Thunderbird

  1. Next, download Mozilla Thunderbird from its official website on your computer.
  2. After that, install the application on your system and launch Thunderbird.

Step 04: Steps to Add ImportExportTools NG Add-on in Thunderbird

  1. Now, you have to open Thunderbird >> Menu (☰) icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Add-ons and Themes and then search for ImportExportTools NG.
  3. After that, click Add to Thunderbird and restart Thunderbird to activate the add-on.

Step 05: Import your PST File into Thunderbird

  1. First, you need to open Thunderbird.
  2. After that, you have to click Tools >> ImportExportTools NG.
  3. Then, you have to choose Import Outlook PST file.
  4. Next, browse and select the exported PST file.
  5. Now, you need to choose an import location within Thunderbird.
  6. Finally, click OK to start importing PST data.
  7. Thunderbird will now load all emails and folders from the PST file.

Step 06: Export Thunderbird Mailbox to MBOX Format

  1. In Thunderbird, right-click on the imported mailbox folder.
  2. Afterward, select ImportExportTools NG and then click on Export folder.
  3. Now, choose the MBOX format and select a destination folder on your system.
  4. Lastly, click OK to start the export.

Limitations of the Manual Method

  • For this method, you must have an Outlook account.
  • When you import the PST data first, then the MBOX may encounter an issue.
  • If you have a large PST file, there might be a possibility of data loss.
  • Moreover, you have to perform steps repeatedly, which takes a lot of time.

Method 03: Automated Software to Export Office 365 to MBOX

Email Backup Wizard Software is considered the most trustworthy way to export Office 365 emails to MBOX. You can freely back up or export your emails while it maintains the folder structure and its hierarchy. This software offers several features that allow you to export specific data according to your requirements. It is built for professionals, personnel, and IT professionals who need to preserve emails and migrate across multiple email platforms. Moreover, this software supports over 60+ cloud-based email services.

Features of this Software You Should Know

  • It supports Single or Batch Mode to migrate your data across different accounts.
  • You can save emails to various formats, such as PST, MBOX, MSG, EML,
  • Also, you can migrate Office 365 to IMAP server and other email clients.
  • To avoid repetitive emails, you can enable the Skip Duplicate Emails
  • It has a simple user interface that helps users to easily run this tool.

Simple Steps to Export Office 365 Mailbox to MBOX

  1. Download the Email Backup Wizard Software on your system.
  2. From the left side, select Office 365 and enter login credentials.
  3. Now, select the folder from where you want to export emails and click Next.
  4. Then, preview the mailbox data and select the folder, and tap on Next.
  5. After that, select the MBOX as the file format and apply the filters for selective data.
  6. At last, click on the Download button to export Office 365 emails.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have covered all the possible methods to export Office 365 to MBOX. However, choose a right approach is considered to be the best for easy and secure exportation of your mailbox. If you have a small number of emails to export, you can use the manual methods, it includes some limitations that we already mentioned above.

A large organisation or an IT professional who deals with large email inboxes can prefer automated software. It is suitable to handle multiple accounts at the same time and provide selective data for exportation. Also, this software makes sure to export your data without any data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What data is included when exporting Office 365 to MBOX?

Ans. The data Email Backup Wizard exports from Office 365 are emails, attachments, metadata, and folder structure to MBOX format.

  1. Is it possible to export multiple Office 365 mailboxes to MBOX at once?

Ans. Yes, this software is suitable to export your data in bulk in a single process.

  1. Are there any mailbox size limits while exporting Office 365 to MBOX?

Ans. No, there are no size limits for exporting your data using the Email Backup Wizard.

  1. How long does it take to export Office 365 emails to MBOX?

Ans. The time depends on the mailbox size, data content, and applied filters to export emails to MBOX.

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