★ 4.5 / 5
from 1,081 verified reviews on G2, Capterra and Trustpilot
Maildir Converter Across cur, tmp, new
PCDOTS Maildir Converter Software reads Maildir and Maildir++ folders directly from disk, walks the cur, tmp, new subdirectories that define the format, and converts each message to 15 destinations spanning PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, PDF, HTML and direct cloud delivery to Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo and IMAP. Source coverage spans Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier and other Linux email servers and clients.
How Maildir Stores Mail and How the Wizard Reads It
Maildir is a mailbox format proposed by Daniel J. Bernstein for qmail in 1995, now used across Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier, Sendmail and Exim. Each message is a separate file inside one of three subdirectories: new (unread), cur (touched), tmp (in-flight). Maildir++ adds quota tracking and dot-prefixed subfolders. The wizard walks both, converting each message to one of fifteen formats.
Three-Subdirectory Walk for Each Maildir Folder
Each Maildir folder contains exactly three subdirectories. The wizard walks them in defined order: new first (unread messages), then cur (read or flagged messages, with status appended to filename), then tmp (delivery-in-progress files older than a defined threshold). Maildir++ subfolders prefixed with a dot are recursed automatically.
new directory: unread messages, raw delivery filenames
cur directory: read messages, flag suffixes parsed (S, R, F, T)
tmp directory: in-flight files past 36-hour threshold
Source Coverage Across Linux Mail Servers and Clients
Maildir folders ship from many sources, each with subtle filename and flag conventions. The wizard handles Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier, Sendmail, Exim, Evolution, Cone, Balsa, deepOFix and any RFC-compliant Maildir generator. cPanel FTP-downloaded mail folders read identically.
Mail servers: Postfix, Dovecot, Courier, Sendmail, Exim, deepOFix
Mail clients: Mutt, Kmail, Evolution, Cone, Balsa
cPanel FTP-downloaded Maildir folders read without modification
Fifteen Destination Formats and Cloud Targets
One Maildir load yields any of fifteen outputs. Email file formats: PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, EMLX. Document formats: PDF, PDF/A, HTML, CSV, RTF, DOC, TXT, MHT. Live cloud and IMAP: Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, generic IMAP, Exchange.
Live cloud delivery: Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, IMAP, Exchange
Maildir Filename Convention Parser
Maildir filenames carry delivery and flag metadata: 1234567890.M123P456.host:2,FRS where the info section after the colon encodes flags. The wizard parses this convention, mapping S (Seen), R (Replied), F (Flagged), T (Trashed), D (Draft), P (Passed) to destination-format equivalents.
Maildir++ Subfolder and Quota Recursion
Maildir++ extends Maildir with named subfolders prefixed by a dot (.Sent, .Drafts, .Spam.Junk) and an optional maildirsize quota file. The wizard recurses dot-prefixed subfolders, parses the dot-separated path into nested folder hierarchy, and copies messages into the destination format with hierarchy intact.
cPanel FTP-Downloaded Maildir Folder Support
A common scenario: download the Maildir folder from a cPanel host via FTP, point the wizard at the local copy, run the conversion. The wizard handles the cPanel folder layout (per-domain, per-account nesting under mail/<domain>/<user>/) without requiring server access or special permissions on the conversion machine.
Direct Cloud Migration Without Intermediate Files
Authenticate to the destination cloud account via OAuth or app-specific password and the wizard streams Maildir messages directly into the new mailbox. Folder structure recreated on the destination server, attachments uploaded inline, no intermediate PST or MBOX needed. Useful for Linux-to-Microsoft 365 cutovers.
Folder Hierarchy and Flags Carried Through
Maildir folder layout (Maildir++ dot-prefixed subfolders, the cur/new split) maps to destination conventions: PST sub-folders, MBOX one-file-per-folder, IMAP server folder hierarchy. Seen, Replied, Flagged, Draft states map to PST PR_MESSAGE_FLAGS and IMAP flag set.
Standalone Windows Tool, No Linux Stack Needed
Runtime is a Windows machine with .NET Framework 4.5 or later. Excluded dependencies: Linux, Cygwin, WSL, Postfix, Dovecot, any Maildir-generating client. The wizard reads the Maildir folder structure as a passive consumer of the format, regardless of which mail server originally produced it.
720K+Maildir messages tested
15Output destinations supported
99.5%Maildir conversion success
10Linux servers and clients
Simple 3-Step Process
Maildir Conversion in Three Stages
Three-stage workflow regardless of the source server: point the wizard at the Maildir root folder, preview messages and apply filters, pick a destination format or live cloud account. The eleven-step walkthrough later on this page covers the Maildir-specific details: subdirectory handling, Maildir++ recursion, cPanel folder layout and filter-rule construction.
01
1. Point at the Maildir Root Folder
Click Add Folder and browse to the Maildir root, the parent containing the cur, tmp and new subdirectories. The wizard recursively walks Maildir++ dot-prefixed subfolders. cPanel FTP-downloaded folders read identically.
02
2. Preview Messages and Apply Filters
The wizard parses each message, surfaces a folder tree in the navigation pane and shows messages in a list view with sender, subject, date and flags. Click any message for full content preview. Apply filters across sender, subject, date range, has-attachment, or run duplicate removal.
03
3. Pick a Destination Format or Cloud Account
Three categories. Email file formats: PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, EMLX. Document formats: PDF, PDF/A, HTML, CSV, RTF, DOC, TXT, MHT. Live cloud and IMAP: Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, IMAP, Exchange.
Software Compatibility
Maildir Source Coverage and Output Destinations
Source coverage spans Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier, Sendmail, Exim, Evolution, Cone, Balsa, deepOFix, and any RFC-compliant Maildir generator. cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin hosting panel layouts read identically. Destination coverage: 15 outputs spanning email file formats (PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, EMLX), document formats (PDF, PDF/A, HTML, CSV, RTF, DOC, TXT, MHT), and live cloud or IMAP destinations (Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, generic IMAP, Exchange).
Input File Formats / Servers
Specialized and Tested Across Every Common Email Source
The Maildir converter for Windows reads Maildir folders directly from disk including cur, tmp, new subdirectories and Maildir++ nested folders. Whether the data sits in orphan files on a hard drive or behind an IMAP login, the converter handles it natively without needing the original software installed.
Browse the full list of input file Maildir source layouts and the output destinations the Maildir converter wizard reads and writes.
Email File Formats8 formats
Format
Full Name
Type
Description
PSTInput & Output
Personal Storage Table
Microsoft Outlook
Primary Outlook data file containing emails, contacts, calendar, tasks, and notes.
OSTInput
Offline Storage Table
Microsoft Outlook
Offline cached copy of Exchange mailbox data. Supports inaccessible or orphaned OST files.
MBOXInput & Output
Mailbox Format
Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora
Universal text-based mailbox format used by dozens of email clients and servers (see IETF RFC 4155 specification).
EMLInput & Output
Email Message
Multiple clients
Individual RFC 822 email message files. Widely supported by Windows Mail, Outlook Express, and others.
MSGInput & Output
Outlook Message
Microsoft Outlook
Single Outlook email message in Compound Document File format. Retains all metadata.
OFTInput
Outlook File Template
Microsoft Outlook
Outlook email template files. PCDOTS converts OFT templates to any supported format.
OLMInput
Outlook for Mac Archive
Mac Outlook
Native archive format for Outlook on macOS. Contains emails, contacts, and calendar data.
DBXInput
Outlook Express Mailbox
Outlook Express
Legacy email storage format used by Microsoft Outlook Express (discontinued in 2006).
Desktop Email Clients9 clients
Email Client
Platform
Storage Format
Conversion Support
Microsoft Outlook
Windows / Mac
PST, OST, OLM
Full: emails, contacts, calendar, tasks, notes, attachments
Mozilla Thunderbird
Windows / Mac / Linux
MBOX
Full: all folders, subfolders, attachments, filters
Mailbird
Windows
SQLite / MBOX
Full: all mailbox data including multiple accounts
eM Client
Windows / Mac
SQLite DB
Full: messages, contacts, calendar, attachments
Mailspring
Windows / Mac / Linux
SQLite / MBOX
Full: all email data and account configurations
Postbox
Windows / Mac
MBOX
Full: Thunderbird-compatible MBOX format
Windows Live Mail
Windows
EML + WLMX
Full: all message folders and account data
Eudora
Windows / Mac
MBX (MBOX variant)
Full: legacy Eudora mailbox files
IceWarp
Windows / Linux
Proprietary
Full: direct IceWarp server data export
Cloud & Webmail Services7 services
Service
Type
Direction
Auth Method
Gmail / Google Workspace
Cloud Webmail
Input & Output
OAuth 2.0 / App Password
Microsoft Office 365
Cloud Business
Input & Output
OAuth 2.0 / Modern Auth
Yahoo Mail
Cloud Webmail
Input & Output
App-specific Password
iCloud Mail
Cloud Webmail
Input & Output
App-specific Password
Hotmail / Outlook.com
Cloud Webmail
Input & Output
OAuth 2.0
Google Takeout
Export Archive
Input
Takeout ZIP / MBOX
Any IMAP Server
Universal Protocol
Input & Output
IMAP / SSL / TLS
Email Servers5 servers
Server
Type
Storage Format
Notes
Zimbra
Open Source Server
Zimbra TGZ
Supports Zimbra Community & Enterprise editions
MDaemon
Windows Mail Server
MDaemon MAI
Direct MDaemon user folder access, no export needed
Kerio Connect
Business Mail Server
Kerio IMAP Store
Converts Kerio data stores directly without server access
Communigate Pro
Enterprise Server
Communigate CGP
Supports all Communigate mailbox folder structures
Lotus Notes / HCL
IBM/HCL Platform
NSF
Via intermediary conversion. Contact support for enterprise plans.
Output Destinations13 outputs
Output Format
Category
Best Used For
PST
Email File
Importing into Microsoft Outlook on any Windows PC
MBOX
Email File
Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Postbox, or any MBOX-compatible client
EML
Email File
Windows Mail, individual email archiving, or web uploads
MSG
Email File
Saving individual Outlook messages with full metadata
PDF
Document
Legal archiving, compliance, sharing non-editable email records
HTML
Document
Web-based email viewing, readable in any browser
CSV
Spreadsheet
Extracting email data for analysis in Excel or Google Sheets
vCard (VCF)
Contacts
Exporting contacts to any address book or CRM
ICS
Calendar
Exporting calendar events to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar
TXT
Plain Text
Simple archiving, text analysis, or importing into databases
Gmail
Cloud Service
Direct migration. Emails appear in Gmail inbox immediately
Office 365
Cloud Service
Direct migration to Microsoft 365 business mailboxes
IMAP Server
Protocol
Any IMAP-compatible server: Dovecot, Postfix, Exchange, etc.
Advanced Filters
What the Wizard Reads From Each Maildir Message File
Each Maildir message file is a standard RFC 5322 message on disk - one file, one message, no concatenation. The wizard reads the file headers, MIME structure, body parts and attachments, then reassembles the message into the destination format. Below is the field-by-field map of what gets carried through and where each piece lands.
The same software that runs the Maildir conversion also reads the data underneath. Open any Maildir folder and inspect every message in content mode, headers mode, or raw message mode. Spot truncated bodies, examine non-standard headers, verify message integrity before any export. For inspection without conversion, see the Email Forensics Investigation tool.
Advanced search returns matches across thousands of folders in a fraction of a second. Search by sender, recipient, subject, date, attachment name, message body or any combination of these fields, and export the matching set as a separate output.
PCDOTS Maildir Converter v3.4
Smart Search
Why Users Switch to PCDOTS
Five Maildir Conversion Problems and Their Fixes
Five recurring problems Maildir users hit when they need to convert, migrate, or archive their data. Each maps to a specific resolution in the PCDOTS wizard. Skip ahead if the situation matches what is currently blocking the Maildir job at hand.
Problems You're Facing
Stuck: no Linux mail client on the Windows machineYou need to convert a Maildir folder on a Windows PC, but there is no Postfix, Dovecot, or Linux mail client to read it natively. Installing Cygwin or WSL just to read mail is overkill. The wizard runs as a standalone Windows utility and reads the Maildir folder structure directly, no Linux stack required.
Stuck: Maildir++ subfolders lost in conversionMany Maildir converters flatten the Maildir++ dot-prefixed nested subfolders (.Sent, .Spam.Junk) into a single flat folder, losing the hierarchy. PCDOTS parses the dot-separated path into a nested hierarchy and writes nested folders to the destination format (PST sub-folders, MBOX folder tree, IMAP server hierarchy).
Stuck: cPanel folder layout not recognizedcPanel mail folders ship as mail/<domain>/<user>/cur. Generic Maildir converters expect a single Maildir root and require operators to manually navigate to each user folder. PCDOTS recognizes the cPanel layout and offers domain-level batch mode that converts every user in a domain folder in one job.
Stuck: read/unread and flag state lost in conversionMaildir filename info-section flags (S, R, F, T, D, P) are easy to miss if the converter just reads the file content and ignores the filename. Lost flags mean every imported message arrives as unread. PCDOTS parses the info section and maps the flags to destination-format equivalents.
Stuck: duplicate messages from list cross-postsA user subscribed to multiple mailing lists frequently receives the same message multiple times (To: list-A and Cc: list-B). After Maildir conversion, the destination shows duplicates. PCDOTS hashes the To/From/Subject/Date tuple before writing output, identifying near-duplicates and removing them from the conversion job.
How PCDOTS Fixes It
Path out: standalone Windows wizard, no Linux requiredPCDOTS Maildir Converter Software runs as a standalone Windows application with no external dependencies. Linux, Cygwin, WSL, Postfix, Dovecot, any mail server all unnecessary. The wizard reads the Maildir folder structure as a passive consumer of the format.
Path out: full attribute and folder hierarchy retentionThe wizard parses each Maildir message file as an RFC 5322 message, retains every header field, every MIME body part, every attachment with original filename, and the Maildir filename info-section flags. To, Cc, Bcc, Subject, Body, Read state, Replied state, Star, Folder hierarchy all carry through to the destination format.
Direct MBOX to Gmail migration in a single click.Connect your Gmail account inside the converter. PCDOTS pushes the messages straight into your inbox without a download and re-upload step.
Path out: bulk conversion across every Maildir folderPoint the wizard at the Maildir root or a parent containing multiple user Maildir folders, and the wizard processes each folder in one job. Apply per-folder routing (one merged PST or one per user), apply filter rules (date range, sender, has-attachment), run duplicate detection, write a per-message job log with success or failure status.
Path out: source compatibility across 11 Linux generatorsThe wizard handles Maildir folders generated by Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier, Sendmail, Exim, Evolution, Cone, Balsa, deepOFix, and any RFC-compliant Maildir generator. Filename-flag conventions specific to each generator are decoded; cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin folder layouts all read.
Real-World Applications
Six Common Maildir Conversion Scenarios
The recurring scenarios where Maildir folders need a converter cluster around six themes: cutover from a Linux server to Microsoft Exchange or Outlook, cPanel hosting migration, web-host shutdown rescue, on-premise mail server retirement, archival to PDF, and forensic case-file extraction. Each maps to the same load-preview-export workflow.
Linux Mail Server to Outlook PST Cutover
Postfix or Dovecot servers retiring; users moving to Outlook. The wizard reads each user's Maildir folder from a copy on the Windows machine, converts to PST per user, and the user imports through Outlook File > Open. Folder structure, flags and attachments all carry through.
PST to Office 365Exchange migration
cPanel Web Host Migration
Switching cPanel hosts and the new host uses a different mail format - or moving from cPanel to a desktop-only setup. FTP-download the mail/<domain>/ folder, point the wizard at the local copy, output to PST, MBOX or directly upload to Gmail or Microsoft 365 via OAuth.
PDF exportGDPR compliance
Maildir to Microsoft 365 Cloud Migration
Users moving from a self-hosted Linux mail server to Microsoft 365 or Gmail authenticate to the destination through OAuth and the wizard streams Maildir messages directly into the new mailbox. Folder structure recreates on the cloud server. No intermediate PST or MBOX file required.
Corrupted PSTForensic recovery
Web-Host Shutdown or Account Closure Rescue
Web host shutting down a service, or an account being closed. The wizard converts the rescued Maildir folder to MBOX (one file per folder, opens in Thunderbird and Apple Mail) or EML (one file per message, opens in Windows Mail and other clients). Standalone, portable archives.
MBOX to PSTEML to MSG
Maildir to PDF for Legal or Audit Archive
Maildir mail needed in a courtroom, audit binder, or printed exhibit converts to PDF or PDF/A. The wizard renders each message with HTML body, inline images and attachment list, with PDF/A output meeting ISO 19005-1 long-term preservation for e-discovery. Bates numbering available per page.
HIPAAHealthcare archives
Forensic Maildir Case-File Extraction
Maildir folders extracted off a seized Linux server in an investigation. The wizard loads the Maildir root read-only, parses the cur/tmp/new structure, and exports messages with full header retention to MSG (one file per message) or PDF/A. Hash-of-source preserved in a sidecar log for chain-of-custody.
Contact extractionCRM enrichment
Why Customers Choose This Tool
Eight Reasons This Beats Other Maildir Converters
The eight differentiators below are what separates PCDOTS Maildir Converter Software from the cluster, refined across 720,000+ tested Maildir messages spanning Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier and cPanel-hosted Maildir folders.
Most Maildir Source Coverage in the Cluster
Source coverage spans Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier, Sendmail, Exim, Evolution, Cone, Balsa, deepOFix and any RFC-compliant Maildir generator. Most competing tools list 4-6 source clients; PCDOTS handles 11+, including filename-flag conventions specific to each generator.
Maildir++ Recursion Done Right
Maildir++ extends Maildir with dot-prefixed nested subfolders (.Sent, .Spam.Junk) and quota tracking. Many Maildir converters flatten the dot-separated path or skip the recursion entirely. PCDOTS parses the dot-path into nested folder hierarchy and copies messages to the destination format with hierarchy intact.
Filename Flag Decoding for Status Retention
Maildir filenames carry status flags (S, R, F, T, D, P) in the info section after the colon. The wizard decodes these and maps them to destination-format equivalents: PST PR_MESSAGE_FLAGS bits, IMAP flag set, MSG read state. Read/unread state, replies, stars and drafts all carry through.
cPanel FTP Folder Layout Recognized
cPanel mail folders ship in a domain-and-account nested structure (mail/<domain>/<user>/cur). The wizard recognizes this layout, parses each user's mail under the correct hierarchy, and lets operators batch-convert all users on a domain in one job. Other tools require manual per-user folder selection.
Direct Cloud Migration Without Intermediate Files
Skip the file-export step. Authenticate to the destination cloud account via OAuth or app-specific password and the wizard streams Maildir messages directly into the new mailbox. Folder structure recreated on the destination, attachments uploaded inline, no intermediate PST or MBOX needed.
Three-Mode Preview Before Conversion
Each Maildir message renders in three layers before conversion: content view (rendered HTML or text body), headers view (full RFC 5322 header set including X-* extensions), raw message view (unparsed source). Useful for diagnostic review or forensic chain-of-custody.
Duplicate Detection and Filter Stacking
Filter rules stack additively: date range PLUS sender domain PLUS has-attachment PLUS subject keyword. Duplicate detection hashes the To/From/Subject/Date tuple to identify near-duplicates from cross-posts and forwards, removing them from the conversion job before any output writes.
No Linux Stack on the Conversion Machine
Excluded dependencies: Linux, Cygwin, WSL, Postfix, Dovecot, any mail server. The wizard reads the Maildir folder structure as a passive consumer of the format. Runs on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Windows Server 2008-2022, 32-bit and 64-bit editions.
Technical Specs
System and Software Requirements
What you need to run the Maildir converter for Windows, plus the trial limitations.
Software Name
PCDOTS Maildir Converter
Current Version
3.4
Processor
Pentium-class or higher
RAM
Minimum 2 GB
Hard Drive Space
100 MB free space
Operating System
Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP. Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003 and earlier.
Trial limitation: the demo edition exports up to 10 emails per folder so you can verify accuracy on real data before purchasing. The full edition has no limits and ships with a lifetime license.
Trial vs Full
Trial vs Licensed Edition for Maildir Conversion
Both editions ship the same binary, the same Maildir folder parsing, the same 15-destination output set, the same filter and preview features. The trial caps writer output at 25 messages per Maildir folder. The licensed edition ($99 one-time, single-workstation, perpetual) removes the cap, adds priority Maildir-specialist support, and ships lifetime updates as Maildir generator conventions evolve.
How PCDOTS Maildir Converter Compares to Alternatives
Maildir conversion options split into three groups: Maildir-specialist commercial wizards that walk the cur/tmp/new subdirectory structure and decode filename flags, generic email converters that lack Maildir-specific subdirectory recursion, and manual command-line tools (formail, procmail, custom scripts) requiring a Linux machine and shell expertise. Key PCDOTS differentiators: most source server coverage in the cluster, Maildir++ recursion done right, cPanel domain-batch mode, filename-flag decoding for status retention.
Feature
Best ChoicePCDOTS
Other Paid ToolsAid4Mail, Stellar, etc.
Free Tools / Online
Maildir, Maildir++ and All Linux Generators
25+
10 to 40+
2 to 5
Standalone, No Linux Stack Required
Yes
Partial
No
Bulk Maildir Conversion in One Job
Yes
Yes
No
Direct OAuth Delivery to Gmail / Microsoft 365
Yes
Partial
No
Three-Mode Maildir Preview Pane
Yes
Partial
No
Headers and Raw Message View
Yes
Partial
No
Folder, Date, Sender, Flag, Attachment Filters
Yes
Limited
No
Attachment Extraction and Address Harvest
Yes
Partial
No
Free Trial Available
Yes
Yes
Yes
Lifetime License
Yes
No
N/A
Maildir Filename Flag Decoding
Yes
Varies
No
Maildir-Specialist Engineer Support
Yes
Limited
No
30-Day Refund Policy
Yes
Varies
N/A
Starting Price
$99
$49 to $149+
Free (limited)
Comparison based on publicly available Maildir conversion tool documentation at the time of writing. Capabilities may vary by competitor version. PCDOTS Maildir Converter Software is independently verified by 1,081 user reviews on G2, Capterra and Trustpilot.
Video Tutorial
Watch How to Convert Emails in 5 Minutes
A short walkthrough showing every step of the conversion workflow on a real source mailbox, from launch to verified output.
5 min walkthrough
YouTube
Real Performance Numbers
Maildir Conversion Performance Reference
Performance numbers below come from two reference sources. Internal regression testing: 720,000+ Maildir messages spanning Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier and cPanel-hosted Maildir folders, with single-folder to multi-domain hosting layouts, with and without Maildir++ nested subfolders, with and without filename flags. Customer survey data: 1,081 verified reviewers reporting on production Maildir conversion outcomes.
85%
Customer Satisfaction
93%
Output Accuracy
99%
Successful Test Runs
How It Works
Eleven-Step Maildir Conversion Walkthrough
Standard eleven-step procedure for converting Maildir and Maildir++ folders to any of the 15 supported destinations, deeper than the three-stage quick guide above. Each step references the corresponding wizard dialog and screenshot. Operator time per Maildir tree: 5-15 minutes depending on folder count and source size.
Run the wizard from the Start menu or desktop shortcut. The source selection dialog opens. Two source modes available: Add File for individual Maildir message files, or Add Folder for a complete Maildir folder containing the cur, tmp, new subdirectories.
Point at the Maildir Root Folder
Click Add Folder and browse to the Maildir root. The wizard recognizes the standard Maildir folder shape (cur, tmp, new subdirectories), the Maildir++ extension (dot-prefixed nested subfolders), and the cPanel hosting layout (mail/<domain>/<user>/).
Inspect the Parsed Maildir Tree
The navigation pane shows the parsed Maildir hierarchy: top-level folder, Maildir++ nested subfolders rendered with their dot-separated path resolved into nesting, message count per folder, total size on disk. Each folder expands to show messages with sender, subject, date, flag status.
Preview Each Maildir Message Before Conversion
Click any message in the navigation pane to render it in the preview pane. Content view shows the rendered HTML or text body with inline images. Headers view exposes the full RFC 5322 header set including X-* extensions. Raw view shows the unparsed Maildir message file source.
Apply Filter Rules to Scope the Conversion
For batch jobs targeting a subset, apply filters: folder selection, date range, has-attachments toggle, flag state filter (Seen, Replied, Flagged, Draft), sender domain match, subject keyword match. The filtered set forms the conversion job. Optional: enable duplicate detection to remove cross-post duplicates.
Configure Optional Auxiliary Extraction
Toggle auxiliary extraction alongside the main conversion: attachments to a sibling folder for download access, email addresses and phone numbers to a separate text file for marketing or contact lists, headers to per-message text files for diagnostic review.
Pick the Conversion Destination
Three categories. Email file formats: PST (per folder or merged), MBOX, EML, MSG, EMLX. Document formats: PDF, PDF/A, HTML, CSV, RTF, DOC, TXT, MHT. Live cloud and IMAP: Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, generic IMAP, Exchange Server.
Configure Routing, Naming, and Cloud Credentials
Output routing: one merged file vs one per Maildir folder vs per-domain (for cPanel mode). Naming patterns: Subject, Date, From plus Subject combinations. Split PST: configurable size threshold (2 GB, 5 GB, custom). For live cloud destinations, provide OAuth consent or IMAP credentials.
Execute the Conversion Job
Click Save. The wizard processes each Maildir folder sequentially. Per-folder progress shows: folder name, messages parsed, attachments extracted, output write status. The job log records exact per-message success or failure with reason codes for any skipped messages.
Confirm the Conversion Result
When the wizard reports Job Complete, the destination folder contains the converted output. The trial edition caps the writer at 25 messages per folder; the licensed wizard processes any size Maildir tree without limits. Click Open Folder to inspect output, or open the cloud account for live-send destinations.
Validate the Output in the Destination Client
Open the destination format in its native reader: PDF in Adobe Reader, HTML in any browser, MSG in Outlook, MBOX in Thunderbird or Apple Mail, PST imported into Outlook. Spot-check that Maildir flag state mapped correctly (read/unread, replies, stars), that Maildir++ nested folders recreated the dot-path hierarchy, and that attachments retained original filenames.
Independent Validation
Reviewed and Awarded by Trusted Software Sites
Independent third-party verification of PCDOTS Maildir Converter against documented Maildir conversion capabilities. Each award sources from the original publisher (Software Informer, Softpedia, Soft32, FileHippo). The aggregate rating combines 1,081 verified reviewer responses since the most recent major release.
4.6
Average across all reviews
1,408
Verified user reviews
4
Editor's Choice awards
Editor's Pick
5.0
Software Informer
"100% Clean Award for error-free and virus-free email conversion across formats and sources."
100% Clean Award
5-Star Rated
5.0
Softpedia
"Earns a 5-star rating for ease of operation and smooth email conversion."
100% Free Award
Top Rated
4.5
Soft32
"4.5 stars: an all-in-one solution for converting email files to multiple output formats."
Editor's Review
Verified Safe
5.0
FileHippo
"100% Clean Award for secure and safe email conversion."
Safety Verified
100% authentic. Every award above is verified directly from the issuing publisher's site. PCDOTS does not pay for placement, reviews or ratings.
Quick Definition
What Is a Maildir Converter?
A Maildir converter is a Windows desktop tool that reads Maildir and Maildir++ folder structures from disk and converts each message file to standard email file formats (such as PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, PDF) or to direct cloud destinations (Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, IMAP). The PCDOTS Maildir Converter Software walks the cur, tmp, and new subdirectories that define the Maildir format, recurses Maildir++ dot-prefixed nested subfolders, decodes filename status flags, and writes to 15 destinations with folder hierarchy and message state carried through.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Maildir and Maildir++ folders from Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier or cPanel converted to PST, MBOX, EML, MSG, PDF, HTML or direct cloud delivery to Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo and IMAP.
Free trial: 25 messages per Maildir folder, no credit card, lifetime trial.
Price: $99 one-time payment for a lifetime license.
Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP plus all Server editions.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 1,081 verified reviews on G2, Capterra and Trustpilot.
Privacy: 100% local processing, GDPR-compliant, no data uploaded to PCDOTS servers.
FAQs
Maildir Conversion Reference Questions
Twelve reference questions covering Maildir conversion: format definition, the cur/tmp/new subdirectory structure, Maildir vs Maildir++ differences, filename flag decoding, conversion to PST/MBOX/PDF, cPanel-hosted Maildir handling, cloud migration, source server compatibility, Linux dependency questions, and trial limits. Sourced from real user search queries and Maildir community threads.
What is the difference between Maildir and Maildir++?
Maildir++ is an extension to plain Maildir that adds nested subfolders and per-user quota tracking. Subfolders are stored as sibling directories whose names start with a dot (.Sent, .Drafts, .Spam.Junk); the dot-separated path encodes the hierarchy. An optional maildirsize file at the Maildir root tracks current disk usage against a quota limit. The PCDOTS wizard recurses dot-prefixed subfolders and parses the path into nested folder hierarchy.
What is the Maildir format and how is it different from MBOX?
Maildir is a mailbox storage format where each message is a separate file on disk, in contrast to MBOX where all messages are concatenated into a single file. Maildir was proposed by Daniel J. Bernstein for qmail in 1995 and is now used across Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier and other Linux mail servers and clients. The one-file-per-message design avoids the file-locking issues that affect MBOX under concurrent access.
How does the wizard handle Maildir filename flags like S, R, F?
Maildir filenames in the cur directory carry status flags in the info section after the colon. The format is :2,<flags> where flag letters mean: S = Seen, R = Replied, F = Flagged (starred), T = Trashed, D = Draft, P = Passed (forwarded). The wizard parses this convention and maps each flag to the destination format equivalent: PST PR_MESSAGE_FLAGS bits, IMAP flag set on STORE, MSG read state, MBOX X-Status and Status headers. Read/unread state, replies, stars and drafts all carry through.
How do I convert Maildir folders to Outlook PST?
Click Add Folder and browse to the Maildir root, the parent that contains the cur, tmp, and new subdirectories. The wizard parses the folder, recursively walks any Maildir++ dot-prefixed subfolders, and surfaces a folder tree in the navigation pane. Pick which folders to convert, click any message to verify it in the preview pane, then click Export and select PST. Configure routing (one merged PST or one per Maildir folder) and click Save. Import the resulting PST through Outlook File > Open & Open Outlook Data File and every folder, message, flag and attachment lands in Outlook.
How do I convert Maildir to MBOX for Thunderbird or Apple Mail?
Pick MBOX as the destination format. The wizard outputs one MBOX file per Maildir folder by default, or one merged MBOX if configured. For Thunderbird: drop the resulting MBOX files into the destination profile's mail directory under Local Folders and Thunderbird picks them up on next launch. For Apple Mail: use File > Import Mailboxes and point at the MBOX file.
How do I convert Maildir downloaded from cPanel?
cPanel mail folders ship in a domain-and-account nested layout: mail/<domain>/<user>/cur. FTP-download the mail/ folder from the cPanel host to the Windows machine, then point the wizard at the local copy. The wizard recognizes the cPanel layout and offers domain-level batch mode that converts every user folder under a domain in one job. Per-user PST or MBOX output, or direct upload to Gmail or Microsoft 365 via OAuth. No FTP credentials persisted, no server access required during conversion.
What are the cur, tmp, and new subdirectories in Maildir?
Every Maildir folder contains exactly three subdirectories. new holds messages that have been delivered but not yet seen by the mail client; filenames are the raw delivery name. cur holds messages the client has touched (read, replied, flagged); the filename has a colon plus info section appended (e.g., :2,FRS). tmp holds files mid-delivery; cleanup tools sweep tmp entries older than 36 hours. The wizard walks all three.
Can I save Maildir messages as PDF with attachments?
Yes. PDF output renders each Maildir message with HTML body, inline images and attachment list at the bottom. Attachments embed inline by default, or extract to a sibling folder. PDF/A output meets ISO 19005-1 long-term preservation requirements for legal e-discovery archives. Bates numbering available per page for litigation support.
Can I migrate Maildir directly to Gmail or Office 365?
Yes, without producing an intermediate file. Pick Gmail, Microsoft 365, or any other supported cloud destination from the export menu. The wizard prompts for destination credentials (OAuth for Gmail and Microsoft 365, app-specific password or IMAP credentials for Yahoo and other hosts) and streams Maildir messages directly into the new mailbox. Folder structure recreates on the destination server, attachments upload inline, read/unread state and flag state carry through to the destination IMAP flags.
Which Linux mail servers and clients does the wizard support as sources?
Tested source compatibility spans Postfix, Dovecot, Mutt, Kmail, Courier, Sendmail, Exim, Evolution, Cone, Balsa, deepOFix, plus cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin hosting panel layouts. The wizard treats Maildir as a passive-read format, so any RFC-compliant Maildir generator should read identically. Filename-flag conventions specific to each generator are decoded on parse.
Do I need Linux or WSL on the conversion machine?
No. The wizard runs as a standalone Windows utility with no dependency on Linux, Cygwin, WSL, Postfix, Dovecot, or any mail server. The only runtime requirement is a Windows machine with .NET Framework 4.5 or later. The wizard reads the Maildir folder structure as a passive consumer of the format, regardless of which mail server originally produced it.
What does the free trial convert and how is it limited?
Trial caps writer output at 25 messages per Maildir folder. Loading any size Maildir tree, scoping which folders to process, browsing the preview pane, applying filters, and previewing destination output all run unrestricted. The cap exists so operators can verify their actual Maildir folders parse correctly and the output renders as expected before licensing. Licensed edition is $99 one-time, perpetual, single-workstation, lifetime updates and Maildir-specialist support included.
Customer Stories
Maildir Conversion Reports From Production
Three production Maildir conversion reports below: 18-user cPanel-to-Microsoft 365 hosting cutover with cPanel domain-batch mode, personal Dovecot-to-Thunderbird migration via MBOX with Maildir++ subfolder recursion, and former-employee Maildir-to-PDF/A archive for legal audit. Reviewer identities verified by hosting platforms (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot).
G2 Reviews
4.7
412 reviews
Capterra
4.6
287 reviews
Trustpilot
4.6
521 reviews
Software Suggest
4.5
188 reviews
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"Migrated 18 cPanel user mailboxes to Microsoft 365."
We were retiring a Postfix mail server hosting 18 user accounts on a cPanel-managed VPS. Each user wanted their mail converted to PST so they could keep working in Outlook on the new Microsoft 365 setup. I FTP-downloaded the mail/<domain>/ folder, pointed PCDOTS at the local copy, and ran the cPanel domain-batch mode. 18 separate PST files in 90 minutes, every Maildir++ nested subfolder recreated as Outlook subfolders, every flag state mapped correctly. Smooth operation.
EML to PSTFolder hierarchy intactBulk conversion
GF
Genelia FernandesHosting Migration Engineer · California, United States
Verified review · G2
Got Dovecot mail off and into Thunderbird
I needed to migrate my personal mail off a self-hosted Dovecot server before shutting down the VPS. Most Maildir converters I tried flattened the Maildir++ subfolders or skipped the cur/tmp/new subdirectory recursion entirely. PCDOTS read the full Maildir tree, output one MBOX file per folder, and dropping the MBOX files into Thunderbird Local Folders worked first try. Read/unread state preserved.
Dovecot to ThunderbirdMaildir++ recursion
KJ
Kylie JohnIndependent Sysadmin · Sydney, Australia
Verified · Capterra
Maildir to PDF/A for legal archive
We needed Maildir folders from a former employee's mail server converted to PDF/A for an audit binder. Bates numbering required, attachments embedded inline, ISO 19005-1 compliance for the archive. PCDOTS handled it: every message rendered as Mailspring would have, attachments embedded, Bates numbers per page, exhibit-ready PDFs.
Maildir to PDF/ALegal e-discovery
AM
Andrew MurphySystem Administrator · Drammen, Norway
Other PCDOTS tools and articles relevant to Maildir conversion, Maildir++ folder migration, and Maildir profile inspection workflows. Browse the full software catalog for every available converter.
Convert Maildir Folders to PST, MBOX, PDF or Cloud. Trial Edition, 25 Messages Per Folder, No Card Required.
Download PCDOTS Maildir Converter, convert up to 25 messages per folder and verify the wizard handles your exact Maildir folder layout structure. Upgrade only when you are satisfied with the result.
