If you have tried to access an outdated database archive file on your current email software, you understand the difficulty. That particular file sits out there — isolated, unapproachable, and entirely disconnected from your current applications. Your stored emails are still available, although it may seem like they are not.
But don’t worry. The conversion process from DBX format to PST is easy when you know how to go about it. Let this manual show you everything you need to do in simple terms.
Why Are Your Outlook Express Archives Stuck in the First Place?
All of these – sent emails, received emails, drafts, and deleted messages – were stored in the DBX format. It seemed absolutely fine at that point in time. But the DBX format is a proprietary file format and is not supported by most advanced email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook.
When one tries to access all those archived emails saved in the past on their computer with another machine or a new version of the same client, one simply fails. The files are there, but they cannot be accessed without conversion.
Here's why people prioritise this migration:
- Archives have valuable data. Client emails, invoices, threads from projects – everything found in your email archives may come in handy even several years after archiving.
- Outlook Express is out of the picture forever. There won't be any new versions, so if your computer does not support it, your DBX archives become unusable.
- The format that guarantees cross-compatibility is PST. MS Outlook, Office 365, Exchange – whatever you choose to use, it will understand PST without any problems.
- Manually moving files is risky. Dragging emails from one program to another, or copying them, usually leads to losing some files, a broken structure or metadata. Therefore, the only right approach is a specialised DBX to PST converter tool.
What Exactly Is in Your DBX Archive?
Knowing the nature of your source files is crucial before beginning the conversion process. A typical DBX archive file consists of:
- Every email in your specific folder, such as the inbox, sent items, drafts, and all other folders that you have created
- The attached documents in your emails
- Details about the sender and recipient and their read/unread status
- The folder structure that you have built through your entire mailbox management system over the years
A good conversion will take care of all of the above components without fail. This means that a folder you may have created, named "Client Projects - 2018", would be reflected accurately in your PST file.
Step-by-Step: How the Conversion Actually Works
There's no prior knowledge about IT required. Let's have a look at each step in detail:
Step 1 – Install the converter Just install the application and make sure that it is working on your PC. The program is installed fast and requires neither MS Outlook nor any other software to have been previously installed.
Step 2 – Open your archive of DBX files Launch the converter and point the application to the location of your DBX file. Usually, this type of file is stored in the AppData folder or an old backup drive – whatever your case is, the program is able to open your archive.
Step 3 – Review your archive prior to conversion This step can be surprisingly helpful for you. You will get a preview of your archive and be able to view its content folder by folder and e-mail by e-mail.
Step 4 – Pick PST as Output Format The PST format helps to transfer your archive directly into MS Outlook. In case you plan to switch to some other email client like Thunderbird or Apple Mail, then you may save the archive in EML, EMLX, or MBOX formats without any effort at all.
Step 5 – Specify the Destination File Tell the tool where to place the converted file. It’s possible to create a new PST file from scratch or add the resulting files to an already existing PST.
Step 6 – Perform the Conversion Start the conversion with just a click and wait for its completion. Your task will be processed automatically in the background mode, not affecting the performance of your PC
Features Worth Looking For
The fact is not all converters treat archive files in the same manner. If you’re selecting a converter, here’s what really counts:
- Metadata retention – all the file’s metadata should be retained, including timestamps, sender information, reading state, folder structure
- Processes large DBX archives – some of the archives can be rather large and several years old; the converter should be able to process those
- File selection – it doesn’t always make sense to convert all DBX files when only one or two archives are needed
- Independent operation – Outlook installation should not be required for the process to occur
- A preview option – always check before the conversion ## Our Recommendation
ToolGround DBX to PST converter for Outlook Express archive files is designed with the specific purpose of converting archives in mind. This software works with any type or size of DBX file, preserves all folder hierarchy and e-mail details, and provides an easy-to-understand preview prior to any conversion taking place. The interface of the software is straightforward and will not confuse you, even if it is your first time using it. A free demo is also provided; you can test out the conversion of up to 10 e-mails for free.
Final Thoughts
The years of your emails in a backup form should not remain buried in your computer in the form of an unreadable email file format on your ancient hard drive. The best way to breathe some new life into that precious information of yours would be by converting those emails from dbx to pst.
