Nowadays, a lot of people have shifted to email platforms that use MBOX files as their default or compatible file format. And many of them are always looking for ways to extract attachments from MBOX file. Well, there is a specific reason for that.
To understand that, we need to first know what an MBOX file is.
MBOX is a mailbox file that stores all emails and attachments of a mailbox in a single file. It means that all the emails from every folder along with their attachments are stored in these files. Moreover, these files are very flexible and can be used on any operating system i.e. Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Now, as we read above, this format stores all of the messages and attachments in a single file. Users want to know how to extract attachments from MBOX file because these files become very large in size.
Due to that, there are chances that the file may get damaged or may not open. Apart from that, the overall efficiency and performance of the format is degraded. Thus, it becomes an important requirement for users to extract their data.
No matter whether you have an MBOX file from Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or any other email application, this blog provides you with a perfect MBOX attachment extractor.
Key Takeaways
- MBOX file is a mailbox file that stores all email messages and the corresponding attachments.
- Downloading MBOX email attachments is needed when the file size gets large and starts affecting its performance and usability.
- If you have Thunderbird or any other MBOX-supported email application installed on your system, you can extract MBOX attachments for free.
- There are two manual ways using which you can save attachments. However, these procedures have their own set of limitations.
- In an attempt to download attachments from MBOX files in an effortless manner, using Zitta MBOX Attachment Extractor is suggested.
- The professional tool comes with an intuitive interface and also offers a free demo version.
Methods to Extract Attachments from MBOX File – Free & Useful Methods
There are three methods that you can use to get the attachments as per your requirements. The first two methods are manual methods which need you to install an add-on in Thunderbird. The last method is a useful and trusted MBOX attachments extractor that does not require any email client installation.
Quick Steps to Save Attachments Using MBOX Attachment Extractor:
- Install & Run Zitta Email Attachment Extractor and Open the menu.
- Choose Email Data Files → MBOX File → Choose Files option.
- Click on Extract → Attachments option to learn how to extract attachments from MBOX file.
- Browse location and Save results.
- Now, let’s take a look at all the methods.
Manual Method 1 – Take Out the Attachments Using ImportExportTools NG
Follow the steps in the Thunderbird application as given below:
- Open Thunderbird and install the add-on ImportExportTools NG.
- Here, you have to import your MBOX file.
- In this add-on, you have to open the email that you want to transfer the attachment from.
- Click on Save beside the attachment that you want to download.
- Set the destination path for the file.
Manual Method 2 – How to Extract Attachments from MBOX File Using Thunderbird?
Another way to draw out the attachments using Thunderbird requires you to first install the Thunderbird Attachment Extractor add-on. Since Thunderbird uses MBOX as its default file format, it also provides hassle-free ways to extract the attachments from these files.
The following section explains how:
- First of all, you have to install the Thunderbird Attachment Extractor add-on.
- After that, you have to launch Thunderbird and click on the Add-ons option.
- Now, go to the Settings Gear and choose the Install Add-on from File option.
- To extract attachments from MBOX, you have to click on the Install Now button.
- As soon as the installation is completed, you have to restart the application.
- Once you relaunch the application, you have to choose the folders and click on the Extract All Attachments option.
- Press the Browse button to set the location and save the files.
- By doing that, you will be able to access your attachments easily.
Seems easy enough? Well, there are a few drawbacks to using this process. These are explained in the upcoming segment.
Disadvantages of Using the Manual Method
- In the latest version of Thunderbird i.e. (60+), the plug-in does not work.
- Users can take help from this extension only on Thunderbird which means that other email platforms that support MBOX files cannot use it.
- It is not feasible to save the attachments in bulk from the folders.
Now, let’s move to the software to extract the files.
Best Software to Pull Out Attachments from MBOX Files Quickly
The software is a very useful way to learn how to extract attachments from MBOX file without going through any difficult steps. The software is capable of downloading data from bulk emails in a single go.
Moreover, the tool does not make any changes to the format of the files and keeps them safe even if you are extracting multiple files at once. The files are not corrupted or damaged during the extraction.
You do not have to worry about it taking a lot of time as the tool quickly extracts all the data as per your requirements.
Let’s take a look at the features to extract attachments from MBOX file:
- It allows you to save multiple attachments from MBOX emails in one go
- There are Advanced filters to export the files from a specific time period
- Use the extension-based filter to save the files of specific formats
- This tool does not pose any limitations on the size of the files
- Users can take a preview of the files before extracting them
- The software is available for all the versions of Windows OS (new and old)
Learning How to Use This Software
- Install the software on your machine and click on the Open button.
- Go to the Email Data Files option and choose the MBOX Files option. Select Choose Files.
- Open the files that you want in the tool and take a preview.
- Now, go to the Extract option to open the menu. Click on the Attachment option.
- In the last screen, you have to set the path for storing the files and click Save.
Note: If you have a Thunderbird profile configured, you can also learn to extract all attachments from Thunderbird.
Got Some Questions? We Will Answer Them
Q1. How to extract MBOX email attachments?
- Launch Zitta MBOX Attachment Extractor.
- Browse MBOX file(s) and load it.
- Click on Extract Attachments button.
- Finally, Save MBOX Email Attachments.
Q2. I have an MBOX file containing numerous attachments. Do I get an option to download only selective attachments?
A. Sadly, if you want to save attachments using the manual procedure, then it is not feasible as it might take quite a long time. However, if you opt for the automated tool, then the Zitta MBOX attachments extractor consists of several options. You can either use the File Extension filter option to extract only specific types of attachments or the date filter to download MBOX attachments within the mentioned time frame.
Q3. Does the Zitta MBOX Attachments Extractor delete attachments from the MBOX file while extraction?
A. No, the software doesn’t make any changes to the loaded MBOX file. To delete attachments and free up space from the file, you need to delete the attachments yourself only.
Q4. Does this professional solution extract attachments from MBOX files of all email applications?
A. Yes, you can load MBOX files created from Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Gmail, Netscape, etc. to download attachments with ease.
Ending Part
There are various users who want to extract attachments from MBOX file and keep the size of these files smaller. While there are manual methods available to do that, it is also not hidden that they have some drawbacks.
Thus, for users who want no faults in their extraction process, the software is mentioned. It offers a lot of features to its users and makes the extraction an easy job.