Converting PST files to MBOX format becomes essential when switching from Microsoft Outlook to email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or others that support MBOX. If you have Outlook installed, the process becomes easier, as you can access and export the data more directly. With Outlook, you can manually export emails to a format that can be further converted to MBOX using third-party tools. For example, you can extract emails in EML format from Outlook and then convert those EML files into MBOX using free utilities or reliable software solutions.
However, if Outlook is not installed or accessible, converting PST to MBOX requires a different approach. In this case, automated tools like
Advik PST to MBOX Converter come in handy. These tools allow you to directly convert PST files—even without Outlook—into MBOX format while maintaining the folder hierarchy, email properties, and attachments. This is particularly useful for users who have orphaned PST files or are migrating to MBOX-supported platforms. Whether you have Outlook or not, both scenarios can be handled efficiently using the right conversion method.