Quick answer
- Print way: open a message in Postbox, select Print and choose Save as PDF. It saves one email at a time.
- File fact: Postbox stores mail as MBOX files, so an MBOX converter reads them without opening Postbox.
- Bulk way: desktop software loads Postbox MBOX files or folders, filters by date, sender or attachments, then converts Postbox emails to PDF in one batch.
Postbox keeps mail in its own data folder, so there is no menu command that saves an entire folder as PDF. Printing messages one by one takes days for a big mailbox and rebuilds folders by hand. Below are two ways to convert Postbox emails to PDF, with real file locations, limits and fixes for missing mail.
How to convert Postbox emails to PDF by printing?
To convert Postbox emails to PDF by hand, open a message in Postbox, select Print and choose Save as PDF. That works for a few messages and fails for a full mailbox, since every email needs its own print job.
- Open Postbox and go to your email folder.
- Select an email and choose File, then Print.
- Select Save as PDF as your printer or output.
- Choose a destination folder and select Save.
- Repeat for every email you need.
Print output loses your folder layout, so organize PDFs by date or client as you save them. To save files from Postbox mail, read how to extract attachments from Postbox.
Where does Postbox store emails?
Postbox stores mail in MBOX format inside its data folder. On Windows 8 and later, that folder is Users\username\AppData\Roaming\PostboxApp. On a Mac, it is ~/Library/Application Support/PostboxApp. Postbox 5 and earlier use a folder named Postbox instead of PostboxApp. AppData and Library are hidden, so show hidden files first. Postbox's data folders guide lists both paths.
Inside your profile folder, IMAP mail sits under Profiles\[profile]\ImapMail, and POP and local mail sits under Mail\Local Folders. Mail files have no extension. Ignore files that end in .msf or start with #PB#, since they are cache and index files. Postbox's export mail guide explains that layout.
For IMAP accounts, download messages first. Right-click your IMAP folder, select Properties, open Synchronization and select Download Now, then quit Postbox. An IMAP folder that was never downloaded leaves empty files on your disk.
How to convert Postbox emails to PDF in bulk with software?
Use Corbett MBOX to PDF Converter to convert Postbox emails to PDF without printing. Its page says it loads MBOX files and folders, keeps attachments and folder hierarchy, filters by date, sender, subject, Cc or attachments and converts a full batch in one export. Free demo converts 10 data files.
Steps to convert Postbox emails to PDF with software
- Install Corbett MBOX to PDF Converter on your Windows PC and start setup with Run as Administrator.
- Select Open, then Email Data Files and MBOX Files.
- Choose a mode. Files mode loads single Postbox MBOX files and folders mode loads a batch. Browse to your Postbox profile folder.
- Preview your messages in Content, Message header, Properties or Hex view. Folders show as a tree, so untick folders you do not need.
- Set date, sender, subject, Cc or attachment filters if you want fewer emails.
- Select Export and choose PDF.
- Select Browse, choose a fresh output folder and start. Your PDFs keep your Postbox folder layout.
Open a few Postbox emails as PDF in a viewer before you buy, since free demo converts 10 data files. Lifetime licence starts at $99 with a 30-day money-back window. Software works on Windows 10 and earlier editions, with no Mac or Linux build, so copy your Postbox folder to a Windows PC first. For other mail clients, read how to convert MDaemon mailboxes to PDF. To read MBOX files before you convert, see how to open MBOX files.
Which way to convert Postbox emails to PDF is best?
Print from Postbox for a few messages. Use software to convert Postbox emails to PDF when you need a full mailbox, folder layout, filters or a machine without Postbox.
| Way to convert Postbox emails to PDF | Cost | Folder layout | Filters | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print and Save as PDF | Free | Rebuilt by hand | Postbox search only | A few messages |
| Corbett MBOX to PDF Converter | Free demo, then from $99 | Kept intact | Date, sender, receiver, subject, Cc, attachments | Full mailbox or batch |
Why are Postbox emails missing after conversion?
Missing mail comes from three causes after you convert Postbox emails to PDF. IMAP folders were never downloaded, so Postbox kept only message headers. You loaded cache files such as .msf instead of mail files. Unticked folders and active filters leave mail out.
To convert Postbox emails to PDF fully, download IMAP folders first, then load your ImapMail or Local Folders directory. For Outlook output instead of PDF, read how to convert Postbox to Outlook. To pull addresses from Postbox mail, see how to extract email addresses from Postbox.
Why save Postbox emails as PDF?
A PDF looks identical on every screen and prints cleanly. Convert Postbox emails to PDF to archive mail, send a thread to a lawyer or keep a copy on a local drive that needs no mail client. To pull files out of MBOX mail, read how to extract attachments from MBOX files.
Key takeaways
- Postbox stores mail as MBOX files under AppData Roaming PostboxApp on Windows.
- Print and Save as PDF converts Postbox emails to PDF one at a time and drops your folder layout.
- Download IMAP folders with Synchronization, Download Now before you convert.
- Corbett MBOX to PDF Converter loads Postbox MBOX files, keeps folders and filters by date, sender or attachments. Free demo converts 10 data files.
- Software needs Windows, so copy your Postbox folder from a Mac first.
Questions about converting Postbox emails to PDF
How do I convert Postbox emails to PDF?
Print every email and choose Save as PDF, or load Postbox MBOX files in converter software and export a batch to PDF.
Where does Postbox save emails?
In MBOX files under AppData Roaming PostboxApp on Windows and Library Application Support PostboxApp on a Mac.
Can I convert Postbox emails to PDF for free?
Yes. Print and Save as PDF costs nothing for a few messages. Software adds batch conversion, filters and folder layout.
Does Postbox store mail in MBOX format?
Yes. Postbox's support pages call it industry standard MBOX mail format.
Why are my Postbox IMAP folders empty on disk?
They were not downloaded. Open folder Properties, go to Synchronization and select Download Now.
Which Postbox files should I ignore?
Ignore files that end in .msf or start with #PB#. They hold cache and index data, not mail.
Does software keep attachments and folders?
Yes. Corbett's page lists attachments and folder hierarchy among items that carry into PDF.
How many emails does free demo convert?
Free demo converts 10 data files. Full edition lifts that cap.
Does software work on Mac?
No. Corbett's page lists Windows 10 and earlier editions with no macOS or Linux build. Copy your Postbox folder to a Windows PC first.
Can I convert Postbox emails to Outlook instead?
Yes. Corbett has a separate guide to convert Postbox to Outlook, linked in Related guides.
