Understand How to Merge two MBOX Files in Bulk
In today’s era, there are multiple email clients in the marketplace that offer different file formats. Out of them, MBOX is the most widely used file format being used by various email programs like Thunderbird, Eudora, Apple Mail, Entourage, etc. Moreover, MBOX is the mailbox file that contains all mailbox items in one single file. In Mozilla Thunderbird like application, users can configure a large number of email accounts. But if there are so many accounts and emails available, then it is necessary to integrate .mbox files into a single file for retrieving emails properly. Therefore, in the upcoming section, we are going to explain a manual procedure to let users understand how to merge MBOX files in bulk. Before that, let us consider the following scenario that will help to integrate all .mbox files more clearly:
“Hello, I am currently using Mozilla Thunderbird having multiple email accounts or folders in my email program. So, it becomes very difficult for me to find a single email from each folder because of duplicity. Therefore, I want a feasible solution to combine MBOX Files so that I can easily discriminate my files. Please suggest me a trustworthy and reliable solution for the same. Thanks in advance!!”
Possible Reasons to Combine Thunderbird MBOX Files
There are numerous reasons to consolidate .mbox data files. Some of them are discussed below:
- In order to increase the searching and retrieval process of a particular email from various folders or accounts, then you need to mix them.
- You can also use the merged or huge file in any other mail client like Microsoft Outlook.
- One can remove all the duplicate emails or data and increase hard disk space by integrating all email messages in one folder.
- Users can manage multiple MBOX files into one archive file.
Two Approaches to Consolidate or Merge MBOX Files
Users can integrate two MBOX files with the help of the step-by-step procedure. Let us proceed with the complete method to combine multiple .mbox files. You just need to follow the given below steps:
Manual Approach:
Once you have imported emails in Outlook, then you have to perform further steps to merge multiple MBOX files by creating the master archive folder. Let us have a look:
Open Microsoft Outlook, create a new Outlook PST file that is Master Archive by selecting the File menu. Then, click on Account settings, Account Settings again and then, Data Files.
- After that, browse the desired location and create a new name for Master archive folder.
- Go to File menu>>Open>> Outlook Data File. Now, connect your master archive for importing all the emails and copy that content to it.
- Disconnect previous archives and then, save new master file in the default archiving location by Auto-Archive settings. To do this, you have to click on File and then, Options. After that, choose Advanced now and click the Auto Archive Settings.
- It can combine .mbox files in MS Outlook in the form of .pst format.
As long as MBOX and MS Outlook belong to alternative platforms. MBOX Conversion is really a tedious task. The manual approach for data conversion is very long that is practically impossible for an actual user. For ease, users can take help of a reliable third-party tool named as MBOX Converter application.
Challenges Faced While Using This Manual approach
Before users can apply this method, they must know these common flaws of this approach:
- Lack of technical skills may create difficulties to merge .mbox files.
- This manual approach contains the number of chances of data loss.
- Some problems may appear while combining multiple Mbox files.
- A single mistake or incorrect step can lead to disastrous consequences.
Professional Approach
After considering such limitations associated with the above manual method, it is recommended to opt for a trouble-free solution. The name of this solution is SysTools MBOX Converter. With this application, users can easily merge two MBOX files without any data loss. Moreover, it has the easy-to-use interface that even a novice user can understand its working without taking external help.
Time to Conclude
Thunderbird is the most popular desktop-based email client, which saves all data in MBOX file format. At certain times, users or organizations want to merge multiple MBOX files in bulk. For this, they search for an automated approach, as the security of the data is very important. Thereby, in order to resolve the user’s problem, we have come up with two approaches for combining two .mbox files. For saving time, users should opt for an automated approach that helps the user to mix Thunderbird MBOX data files and also provides some unique features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download Mozilla Thunderbird and install ImportExportTools add on for a free manual solution. Now, follow the given steps:
1. Import all MBOX files in Thunderbird with Tools > ImportExportTools > Import MBOX file
2. Now, create a new folder separately and move all the contents of MBOX files into this folder
3. Export the new folder as MBOX by right-clicking on it and selecting Export Folder option
This is how you get a single MBOX file by combining multiple ones.
Yes, you can add and merge MBOX files into a single PST. Both manual and automated solutions are available to carry out this task.
Yes, the article contains one such method that can combine mutiple MBOX files into a single file manually.
All you need to do is select “use folder mode” while importing the MBOX files into the tool’s interface. The rest of the process is easy and self-explanatory.