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PCDOTS Team ~ Published: 08-Aug-2023 ~ Open ~ 7 Minutes Reading

How to Open MBOX Files on Windows for Free?

Do you want to know how to open MBOX files on Windows? Do you want a method that does not require the use of a third-party app? If so, continue reading this article. We have described many methods for opening MBOX files with or without a supporting email client in this post and invite you to review them. So, let’s get started.

User Query

Hi, I recently used Google Takeout to save all my Gmail emails to a local Windows drive. The Downloaded emails are in MBOX format. I have tried a lot but unable open these MBOX files. Please advise me on how to open MBOX files on Windows and properly review all my emails.

MBOX is the most widely used file format. These are the specialized Text files that include emails in simple Text format, segregated by headers. They are used to store groups of email messages.

MBOX files are used by many email clients such as Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, Postbox, Opera Mail, Apple Mail, Entourage, and many more. You can open MBOX file with any of these email programs very easily. However, if you don’t have, it may require using a third-party free app.

Table of Contents

How to Open MBOX Files on Windows?

You can access MBOX files using an email client like Thunderbird. This is a free, open source, desktop-based account that works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems. If you don’t have this email client on your system yet, please download it and then follow the procedure below for opening MBOX files on Windows.

  1. Run Thunderbird on your Windows device
  2. Click the grid icon in the Upper right corner and select “Account Settings”.
  3. Click Add-ons & Themes from the bottom left sidebar.
  4. Enter Import in the top search field and hit Enter.
  5. Click the “Add to Thunderbird” button next to “ImportExportTools NG“.
  6. Hit Add and then OK in the dialog box that displays and return back to the main Email tab.
  7. Right click to the “Local Folders” tab and choose “New Folder”
  8. Enter name (e.g.; Google Takeout MBOX) in the Name field and click Create Folder.
  9. Right-click the newly generated “Google Takeout MBOX” folder, Select “ImportExportTools NG” from the drop-down menu, and then Import mbox file.
  10. Select “Import directly one or more mbox files” from the resulting dialog box and click OK.
  11. Browse to the folder containing your MBOX files, choose one or more files, and click Open. Thunderbird will import your MBOX files.

So, this is how you can open MBOX files on Windows. You must have a supporting email client on your device to access MBOX files. However, what should you do if you don’t have an account or don’t want to utilize one? We have a best solution for this as well.

How to Open MBOX File on Windows without Using Email Client?

If you don’t have an MBOX compatible email client, which is common, you’ll need to use an external software. The PCDOTS MBOX Viewer Tool is the best way to open MBOX files on Windows without downloading or installing Thunderbird or another email client. This utility is fully free and compatible with all versions of the Windows operating system. We suggest that you utilize the button below to download and use the app for free.
Download Now

This freeware makes it far easier to open MBOX file than Thunderbird. We have listed all of the steps you must take to use this software and recommend that you go through them.

Steps to Open MBOX File without Compatible Email Account

  • Download, install and launch the software to open MBOX files on Windows.
    start the tool to open mbox files on windows
  • Click the Open button >> MBOX Files >> Choose Files/Choose Folders We suggest that you click on the folder option to open MBOX file in bulk.
    select mbox files
  • Browse MBOX files on your Windows device. Then, click the Select Folder button to import the MBOX files into the tool.
    import mbox files into the tool
  • You will now see that all MBOX files have been loaded in the left pane of the tool.
    loaded mbox files
  • Now, you can click on a specific file and open the emails inside it.
    open mbox files on windows
  • You can also check the Hex value and Initial value of MBOX files.
    check hex values
  • Please use the search bar to locate and open specific MBOX emails or attachments.
    search in mbox files

You only need to follow these basic steps to open MBOX files on Windows, which appears to be quite simple. This solution appears to be much better and simpler than the Thunderbird method. We have highlighted some of the tool’s advanced capabilities and recommend that you review them.

Discover the Advanced Features of the Freeware

(1) This software has a very basic interface, suitable for non-technical users as well.

(2) Support for MBOX files from Gmail, ProtonMail, Mac Mail, Alpine, Spicebird and other accounts.

(3) It enables you to import a single MBOX file or an MBOX folder containing multiple MBOX files in the pane.

(4) Open emails and attachments from MBOX in a hassle-free manner.

(5) Open MBOX files on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 and lower.

(6) Enables you to check the hex values and raw values of email messages.

(7) It also has a search bar that allows you to search for MBOX files from a specific time frame or address.

(8) The Pro version of the software also allows you to convert MBOX files to PDF, PST, and other file formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How to open MBOX file?

A: You can open MBOX file using Thunderbird email client. However, if you don’t want to rely on an email client, you can use the MBOX Viewer tool by PCDOTS.

Question 2: Is the software to open an MBOX file free?

A: Yes. It is completely free and does not require you to spend any money to open MBOX file. However, if you want to export MBOX files to another file type, you can purchase the Pro version.

Question 3: Can I also open attachments in an MBOX file?

A: Yes. You can open attachments and other email Meta items associated with an MBOX file.

Question 4: Can I open MBOX files on Windows 10?

A: Yes. You may use the software to open MBOX files on Windows 10 and any other version.

In Conclusion

We have provided an appropriate response to the frequently asked question “How to Open MBOX Files on Windows.” We have provided two effective techniques for opening MBOX files. You can either use Thunderbird or an external software to open MBOX file. You can thoroughly examine both ways and choose the one that is most convenient and hassle-free for you.

Customer Reviews about the Software

I wanted to open an MBOX file but didn’t want to rely on an email client like Thunderbird. After extensive searching I found this program, and I think I have found the great one. It is a great software for opening MBOX files on Windows.  ~ Steve
It is the best program for opening MBOX file. It is completely free and easy to use. I had no hassles with this tool even the first time around. I highly recommend this tool for everyone to open MBOX file for free.  ~ Larry