How to Export Office 365 to MBOX Format? Complete Solution

User Query: 

“I’m moving from Office 365 to Thunderbird for personal use. Is there any way to convert all my data to MBOX format?”

Office 365 is a popular email platform that helps users manage their messages, calendars, and tasks through Outlook. However, MBOX provides greater flexibility, offline accessibility, and compatibility with various email clients. That’s why users want to switch to other clients like Mozilla Thunderbird, which works with the MBOX format. Since there’s no built-in option to export Office 365 to MBOX, many users look for practical solutions. This blog explains both manual methods and a trusted way using the Office 365 Backup Tool to complete the process smoothly.

Why We Need to Export Office 365 Mailbox to MBOX?

Here are several valid reasons why users might need to transfer their Office 365 mailboxes to MBOX format.

• MBOX is widely supported by popular email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and Opera Mail.
• Creating a local backup in MBOX format guarantees your data remains safe even if you lose access to your Office 365 account.
• MBOX files are easy to store, transfer, and manage large email data.
• Many users want to keep a portable copy of their mailbox that can be moved between systems or email apps.
• Some users transfer Office 365 data to MBOX to reduce dependency on subscription-based services.
• You can access MBOX data without needing an internet connection or logging into a cloud account.

Methods to Export Office 365 to MBOX

In this part, we’ll describe the most common, easy, and effective techniques to transfer your Office 365 data:

• Manual method with the help of Mozilla Thunderbird
• Using a professional third-party tool

We’ll discuss both options in depth. Doing it manually can take more time and effort if you do not have technical knowledge. At the same time, a good tool can make the process quicker and much easier. Let’s start with the manual method first.

Manual Method to Migrate Office 365 Mailbox into MBOX

You can migrate your Office 365 mailbox to MBOX format without using any special import/export wizard. Here’s how you can do it manually using Mozilla Thunderbird:

Step 1: Add an Office 365 Account in Thunderbird

1. Firstly, start Thunderbird and go to Menu > Tools > Account Settings.
2. Afterward, select Account Actions > Add Mail Account.
3. Then, enter your Office 365 email, password, and name, then select Continue.
4. Further, Thunderbird will auto-configure your account. Select Done.

Step 2: Create a Local Folder

To continue with the process to export Office 365 to MBOX, you need to move your emails to a local folder:

1. To proceed, in the folder pane, right-click on Local Folders.
2. Later, select New Folder, name it (e.g., Office 365 Data), and select Create Folder.

Step 3: Move Emails to Local Folder

1. Initially, start your Office 365 Inbox or other folders in Thunderbird.
2. After that, select emails (use Ctrl+A to select all).
3. Next, drag and drop them into the local folder you created.

Step 4: Export Folder to MBOX Format

First, install the ImportExportTools NG add-on.

1. Then, go to Menu > Add-ons and Themes.
2. Afterward, search and install ImportExportTools NG. Restart Thunderbird.

Then export your folder:

1. Later, Right-click on the local folder > ImportExportTools NG > Export folder.
2. Lastly, choose a location and file name to save the folder as an MBOX file.

Limitations to Export Emails From Office 365 to MBOX Manually

• The process must be repeated for each mailbox individually—no multiple export option available.
• Users have a good understanding of email clients and file formats to perform the steps correctly.
• The manual method does not support exporting all mailbox items (e.g., contacts, calendars, tasks).
• The process is lengthy and time-consuming.
• It does not have filter options like date range, folder selection, or selective export.

Professional Method to Export Office 365 to MBOX

The Office 365 Backup Tool makes it easy to transfer your Office 365 mailbox data to MBOX format. Also, it supports a variety of other file types, including PST, EML, MSG, and HTML. You can save the data to your local system or restore it to your Office 365 account when required.

This tool has its ability to handle multiple Office 365 accounts at once, which saves time for both individuals and IT teams. You can also preview your emails before transferring.

Additional features include:

• Date filter to select emails from a specific time range
• The ability to choose which folders to transfer
• It provides an option to remove duplicate emails during the process

Now, follow the steps to complete the process:

1. Initially, start the Office 365 Email Backup Tool and select Backup.
2. After that, sign in with your Office 365 credentials; enable Assign Impersonation for multiple accounts.
3. Further, select the desired user IDs and mailbox, then select Next.
4. Later, preview the mailbox and choose folders to export.
5. Then, select MBOX as the output format and apply any needed filters.
6. Finally, select Backup to start the Office 365 to PDF export.

Explore More: Convert Office 365 Emails to PDF

Conclusion

Export Office 365 to MBOX is simple with the right approach. While manual methods work for small tasks, they can be time-consuming and complex. A professional tool like the Office 365 Backup Tool has a smooth, accurate, and efficient transfer. This is ideal for both personal and business use. With features like multiple export, filtering, and more, the process becomes simple and secure.

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