How to Convert DBX

Convert your email types.

Outlook Express, the free version of Microsoft Outlook, stores mail in the proprietary .dbx file format. To transfer your existing mail from Outlook Express to another mail program, you'll need a .pst file (for Outlook), .eml file (for Outlook) or an .mbox file (for most other email programs). There are a few ways to go about turning a .dbx into an .mbox file, and the process is fairly quick.

Things You'll Need

• Conversion software

Instructions

Convert to .mbx or .eml with DbxConv

1. Download DbxConv by right-clicking on dbxconv.zip and choosing "Save As" (see Resources).

2. Extract the DbxConv.exe file by double-clicking on the dbxconv.zip file.

3. Move dbxconv.exe into the same folder as the .dbx file(s) you want to convert.

4. Launch the command line by going to "Start," "Run" and typing "cmd" (without quotes). Press "Enter."

   You should see a prompt, like this:

   C:\Users\yourusername>

5. Switch into the folder where dbxconv.exe and your .dbx file(s) are located using the "cd" command.

   For example, if your files are saved in "My Documents," you would type:

   cd "My Documents"

   and press "Enter." The prompt will then change to display that directory; for example:

   C:\Users\yourusername\My Documents>

6. Type the following at the prompt:

   DbxConv *.dbx

   A new .mbx version of each .dbx file will appear in the same directory.

7. To convert into an .eml file, type the following at the prompt:

   DbxConv -eml *.dbx

   A new .eml version of each .dbx file will appear in the same directory.

Convert to .mbox with Thunderbird

1. Download and install Thunderbird (see Resources).

2. Launch Thunderbird.

3. Go to "Tools," "Import" and follow the wizard instructions for importing messages from your Outlook Express .dbx file(s).

4. Locate the folder on your computer where Thunderbird saves its program files, known as your Profiles folder. (See References for help on locating your profile folder.)

5. Open the Mail folder inside your Profiles folder. Each folder in Thunderbird corresponds to an .mbox file in this folder, for example, "inbox.mbox." All of your imported messages are contained within these .mbox files.

Convert to .pst or .eml with ExtractDBX

1. Download and install ExtractDBX (see Resources).

2. Launch ExtractDBX.

3. Click "Select DBX" and double-click on the.dbx file you want to convert.

4. Select the radio button next to the destination file type (.eml or .pst).

5. Click "Extract DBX."

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution if you already have Thunderbird installed and pursue the steps outlined in Section 2. It will export all of your existing messages in the new .mbox file(s) in addition to the ones from the .dbx file(s).

References

• FileInfo: .DBX File Extension
• Mozilla: Mozilla Thunderbird FAQ
• Mozilla: Locate Your Profile Folder

Resources

• FreeNet-Homepage: DbxConv
• MozillaMessaging: Thunderbird
• ConvertDBXToPST: Extract DBX