Best Way to Read MBOX Files – An Expert Recommended Method

This article will explain what MBOX files are and a great way to read MBOX files. We provide a proper explanation of why it is best and steps to view or analyze the content of the file.

What is a MBOX File?

A MBOX file is a file format that stores multiple emails in it. As it saves all your emails in the mailbox, it is named the Mailbox file. The file saves every piece of information in your emails, including attachments within them. The data stored in the MBOX file is in ASCII text format, and the data is stored in a concatenated manner. Each email is linked to another, starting with from and ending with a blank line.

There are different types of MBOX file formats: MBOXO, MBOXRD, MBOXCL, and MBOXCL2. All the formats are used for different purposes.

Email Programs that Open MBOX Files

Before we tell you the best way to read MBOX files, let us first know which software uses this file format. When the MBOX file is first created, it is only used on the Unix host. But, now, there are a number of email programs that save, import, and export MBOX files. They are.

• Mozilla Thunderbird: a free open-source email program that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
• Apple Mail: email client developed by Apple that runs on the Mac system.
• Entourage: a discontinued Microsoft email program that runs on Mac OS.

These are some popular email clients that use MBOX files. In addition, the MBOX file uses text format to save the data. Therefore, you can use this format in a text editor to view the email messages in the file. So, the MBOX file is a flexible file, which makes it easier to handle.

A Great Way to Read MBOX Files

Now, coming to the main topic of the article, As we said, there are several email programs that allow you to open, view, or read MBOX files. For example, you can use Thunderbird to import the files and see the data, similarly to Apple Mail. However, these methods are not ideal choices, as users face a lot of problems, both professional and non-professional.

Problems Occur While Using the Manual Method

To understand this clearly, we write about some of the drawbacks of the methods.

• The major issue is when you use Thunderbird or any other program to open the file. There is no option to import multiple files at the same time. You have to open them one by one, which is very time-consuming.
• If your file is corrupted for some reason, then you cannot use it in the program. Due to this, many errors will be shown when you try to open the file.
• During importing the MBOX file, there is no concept of maintaining data integrity or folder hierarchy. So, there are high chances that you may lose some or all of your data.

With these issues, you can now understand that the manual method is not a good way to read MBOX files. However, you can use another alternative method That is a “third-party tool.”

View MBOX Files using Third-party Tool

Now, you must be wondering why this is the best method. It is best because the software we use is specially created to help the users open, view, read, or analyze the data in your MBOX file without any problems. This method does not require any email program, as it is made with such technology that once you have selected the location of the file where it is stored, it automatically loads the file and displays it on your screen in just a few seconds.

Although there are numerous tools available on the internet that do the same thing, FreeViewer MBOX Viewer Tool is different from them. This software provides two editions, Pro and Pro Plus, that allow you to not only read the files but also export them into PDF files or print them. Moreover, there are many additional features as well.

Features of Software

• You can clearly see contacts, calendars, and other mailbox items after you open the MBOX file in the tool.
• This software supports files from Windows-based email programs.
• You can preview your file in various modes, such as HTML, HEX, RTF, MIME, attachments, normal mail view, properties, and message headers.
• It allows users to read multiple MBOX files or folders.
• The software has an option to view email properties like send, to, attachment, date time, etc.

Steps to Read the MBOX Files in Tool

1. Download and install the software.
2. Click on the Add File option, and then select the MBOX file from the list of email applications. Then, select the file(s) or folder from the file system and press the Next button.
3. If you have one file, then click on the browse button and navigate to the location where your MBOX file is stored, and then click on the Process button.
4. If you have multiple files in a folder, then click on the Use Folder Mode and Maintain Folder Hierarchy options. Browse the location of the folder, and then click the Process button.
5. Now, the software automatically loads your file and displays it in front of you.
6. Click on the emails one by one to see the content and preview them.
7. To export the MBOX file in PDF format, print the files, or do an advanced search, click on the Upgrade to Pro option.

Conclusion

In this article, we explain why a third-party tool is the best way to read MBOX files. Firstly, we discuss what an MBOX file is and the various email programs you can use to view the files. Then we explain how the manual method is not a good way to read the files and describe the features of the software so that it can help you in your work. Lastly, we provide steps to read the files.