How to Consolidate MBOX Files to Easily Merge Thunderbird Email Profile?

Approved By Aswin Vijayan

Published On January 30th, 2024

Reading Time 4 Minutes Reading

There are multiple email client applications supporting the file format, MBOX, like Apple Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Entourage, etc. MBOX files are actually mailbox files consisting of all mail messages from 1 particular mailbox in one single file. In an application like Mozilla Thunderbird, users are capable of configuring a no. of email accounts. However, if there exists multiple accounts as well as many emails, then it’s always better to merge two MBOX files into one single file. If this is done, then it can lead to better search and better retrieval of the email messages.

Problem Encountered To Consolidate More Than One MBOX files

Many users have queries regarding MBOX files consolidation process like one such user said that he recently started using Mozilla Thunderbird application that had five mailing accounts as well as multiple folders in his mail client. It was becoming tough for the user to search any specific emails from all these folders due to duplicity. So, he was in search of some method using which he would be able to consolidate multiple MBOX files so that he can refine his email search. Likewise, many users need such solutions that can combine MBOX files together into one single file.

Reasons To Easily Merge MBOX Files

There could be several reasons due to which users need to join multiple MBOX files into one file. Some of these are given underneath:

One of the reasons for this need is to fasten the search as well as retrieval processes wherein users need to search or retrieve some specific email or emails from a no. of folders/email accounts. In such cases, to merge two MBOX files proves helpful.
For using the merged and big file in some other email client application like MS Outlook etc.
For removing any duplicate emails/data and thus increasing some free space on the drive by combining all emails into 1 particular folder.
Merge MBOX files into 1 particular archive file for better management.

Manual Method to Consolidate MBOX Files

This manual way can help to merge two MBOX files. This method involves 2 steps by which users can combine all the emails. Step one is meant for MBOX conversion and step two is used to join multiple MBOX files, as follows:

STEP 1: Converting MBOX Data File(s)

MBOX files and Outlook are belonging to 2 separate platforms. This is why MBOX conversion is tiresome. Doing it manually is a tough and impractical proposition in the real-world scenarios. So, using some MBOX conversion tool sounds more feasible.

STEP 2: Merge MBOX Files

After converting emails in Outlook, now MBOX files can be merged as follows:

In Outlook, create new PST file which is the Master-Archive
Click File
Go to Account settings
Then, Account Settings
Then, Data Files
After that, browse the location
Create master archive folder’s new name
Click File
Go to Open
Then Outlook Data File
Connect master-archive to all emails that were converted in step 1
Copy the content to this
Disconnecting of the previous archives has to be done
Now, save new master-file in archiving location that is there by default
This can be done by Auto-Archive settings
Click File
Go to Options
Then Advanced
Then AutoArchive settings
This would join multiple MBOX files in Outlook in PST form

Alternative Way to Combine MBOX Files

The above given manual way to merge two MBOX files is somewhat a time-costing and a rather confusing method. Also, Mozilla Thunderbird or some other email client application supporting this MBOX file-format is needed and also with that Outlook is also needed for importing the mails and for merging those. Also, to increase the plight, there always are the chances of losing data while dealing with bulk consolidation of data using the manual approach. So, a better and easier way out to merge MBOX files is to use some third party tool like MBOX to Outlook Converter, having chief features to transfer emails from MBOX files to PST easily, quickly and most importantly, successfully.

Conclusion

For consolidating multiple MBOX files into 1 file, users can follow the above-mentioned steps for the manual method. If nothing works out still, then an expert solution in the form of some third-party tool surely helps in this regard by saving time & effort of the users. In this blog, both these approaches and methodologies have been discussed, using which, users can deal with the issue of big amounts of data in MBOX file format and for joining MBOX files.