Home » Blog » Compress » How to Extract Attachments from MBOX File?

How to Extract Attachments from MBOX File?

  author
Written By Rollins Duke
author
Approved By
Admin
Published On
October 2nd, 2023
Reading Time
6 Minutes

Nowadays, numerous users are using the MBOX format to store their emails with attachments. Because this file can be opened with multiple email clients without any hassle. But many times, happened when the MBOX file size reached the maximum size. That becomes the file inaccessible or corrupt.

If you are also facing this problem and want to reduce the size of the MBOX file, then you should read out the complete blog.

This write-up will describe the complete information with step by step to save attachments from MBOX files using the best and finest solution that comes with amazing and advanced features.

Before starting the process first, we are going to show you the user queries that we are receiving over the past few days.

“Hello there, I am using Thunderbird for a long time, but now I noticed that my Thunderbird is not working properly. Then one of my friends suggests that you should compress Thunderbird file. Because maybe your mailbox size reached the maximum limit. And then I realized yes, in Thunderbird, I have lots of unwanted and important attachments, which I should remove from Thunderbird and put into a separate folder. But I don’t know the right method, could anyone suggest to me the right method to extract attachments from MBOX file.”
“Hey, there I have some orphan MBOX files that cross the limit size, and these files are not opened with any email client. I want to open these files because it has some important attachments which I want to export. But I couldn’t find the right path, could anyone suggest to me the method or tool to extract attachments from MBOX file?”

As you can read the user’s queries, and which type of problems face, moving on to the step-by-step guide to extract attachments from MBOX file.

How to Download Attachments from MBOX File?

Here we are going to explain two methods to extract attachments from MBOX files using manual methods and expert solutions.

Important Note: Read the complete post first, and then choose the required method as per your need.

How to Extract Attachments from MBOX File Professionally?

First, we are going to show you the best and finest automatic solution to save your attachments into separate folders. We will use the best MBOX Compress Software, which comes with amazing and advanced features. That makes the software more usable and unique for all technical and non-technical users.

The software comes with the free demo version, that allows users to analyze the software’s performance. Also, you can download and install the software on any Windows OS including the latest Windows 11 and all previous versions. It has numerous advanced features, some of which are mentioned below in detail after the working steps:

Download Now Purchase Now

Working Steps to Extract MBOX File Attachments

  1. Download and launch the tool on your system.

    launch the tool to extract attachments from MBOX file

  2. Add the MBOX Files/ folders using Select Files and Select Folders options.

    Add the MBOX Files

  3. Check or uncheck the required folders and subfolders and hit the Next button.

    required folders and subfolders

  4. Enable the required advanced filters and choose the location using the Browse button.

    required advanced filters

  5. Hit the Next button to extract attachments from MBOX file.

    extract attachments from MBOX file

As you can see how simple the software can download the attachments. Still, if you have any doubts or queries related to features and processes, then you can download and install the software free to know more about the software. Or you can read the features that are mentioned below.

Why Users Should Use Expert Solutions?

Professional solutions are always better than manual methods because manual methods come with limitations, while expert solution comes with advanced features.

  • The software supports all types of MBOX files orphan, corrupted exported from any email client including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Entourage, Google Takeout, Sea Monkey, etc.
  • Users can easily extract attachments from multiple MBOX files at once in bulk without having any file size limitations.
  • It allows users to download the attachments from the selected folders and subfolders to save users time and energy.
  • One of the best features of this tool is that it saves the extension of the all-type attachment in the same format without doing any changes to the original data.
  • The software preserves all the details of the MBOX file including the email body, and email header details, and also preserved the folder hierarchy.

Manual Methods to Extract Attachments from MBOX File

You have followed multiple steps to accomplish this task. All the steps are mentioned one by one below:

Preparations:

Step 1: Install ImportExportTools NG Add-ons

  1. Open Thunderbird on your system.
  2. Click on the Tools >> Add-ons and Themes option from the list.
  3. Find ImportExportTools NG in the search box and hit the Add to Thunderbird option.

    ImportExportTools NG

And you add on successfully added to your Thunderbird, now restart the Thunderbird, and follow the mentioned steps.

Step 2: Upload the MBOX File to Thunderbird

  1. Open Thunderbird.
  2. And choose Tool >> ImportExportTools NG >> Import MBOX File options.

    ImportExportTools NG

  3. Enable the Import Directly One or More MBOX Files >> OK button.

    Import Directly One or More MBOX Files

  4. Find the MBOX file which stores attachments and opens into Thunderbird.

    extract attachments from MBOX file

And your MBOX file was successfully uploaded to the Thunderbird email client. Now we will extract attachments from MBOX file using the mentioned steps below:

Step 3: Extract Attachments from MBOX File

  1. Click on the Tools >> Add-ons and Themes option.

    Add-ons and Themes

  2. Find Attachment Exporter >> Add to Thunderbird button.

    Attachment Exporter to extract attachments from MBOX file

  3. Restart the Thunderbird again.
  4. Right-click on the email that has attachments.
  5. Select Attachments Exporter from the drop-down.

    Attachments Exporter

  6. Browse the location where you want to save your file and hit the OK button.

    extract attachments from MBOX file

A confirmation message will appear on the screen to delete attachments from the email, click on the OK button to accomplish the task.

delete attachments from the email

Limitations of Manual Methods

  • Users can extract attachments from multiple MBOX files at once.
  • Users have to repeat the same process again and again for each email.
  • If you have a corrupted Thunderbird profile, or your Thunderbird is not working then this method will not work.

Time to Say Goodbye

Here we have explained the best and easiest methods to extract attachments from MBOX files in bulk using manual methods and professional solutions. Manual methods have some limitations that are mentioned above. On the other hand, the software comes with amazing and advanced features to save attachments from bulk MBOX files and folders. Also, the software comes with a free demo version that allows users to analyze the software’s performance and how it works.