You have years of Outlook Express mail sitting in .dbx files, and you've moved to a Mac. Mac Mail won't open those files directly, so the messages look stuck. The way around it is to convert the DBX files to MBOX, a format Mac Mail can import. That is what SoftSpire's DBX to MBOX Converter is for.
Quick facts
- Vendor: SoftSpire Inc
- Runs on: Windows (you convert on the PC, then bring the MBOX files to the Mac)
- Price: $49
- Trial: the demo converts the first 5 emails from each DBX file
Key features
Convert several DBX files in one run
The software supports batch conversion, so you can select many Outlook Express mailboxes together instead of handling them one by one.
Get one MBOX file for each DBX file
Each DBX file you select produces its own MBOX file, which keeps your mailboxes separate the way they were in Outlook Express.
Import into any MBOX-capable mail program
MBOX is not a proprietary format. The converted files can be brought into Mac Mail, Entourage, Eudora, Evolution and other clients that read MBOX.
Only the DBX files are needed
You don't need Outlook Express installed or running. Having the DBX files is enough to start a conversion.
Who it's for
It suits you if you have old Outlook Express mail archives (versions 5, 5.5 and 6 are covered in the vendor's description) and want them in Mac Mail or another MBOX-based client. It is a one-purpose converter, not a mail client.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Batch conversion of multiple DBX files
- One MBOX file per DBX file
- Works with many MBOX-based email programs
- A demo lets you test before paying
Cons
- The demo converts only the first 5 emails from each DBX file
- It runs on Windows, so you need a PC to do the conversion before moving files to the Mac
- It only handles DBX to MBOX; it is not a general mail migration suite
FAQs
Can I test it before buying?
Yes. The demo converts the first 5 emails from each DBX file, which is enough to check the result in your mail client.
What do I do with the converted files?
Once the DBX files are in MBOX format, you import them into Mac Mail or another MBOX-supported program such as Entourage.
Do I need Outlook Express on the PC?
No. Having the DBX files is enough for conversion.
Can I convert more than one mailbox at a time?
Yes. You can select multiple DBX files and convert them in one batch.
How much does it cost?
The full version is listed at $49.