Corbett
Corbett DBX Converter opens Outlook Express DBX files on Windows and saves mail as PST, EML, MBOX, PDF, HTML, TXT or CSV. Folders, dates and attachments stay intact, and Outlook Express does not need to be installed. Try free demo first.
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Works offline on your PC. Corbett never sees your DBX files or messages.
Free demo, scanned clean on VirusTotal and a 30-day money-back window.
Lifetime licence from $99 Demo converts 10 emails per folder
Quick answer
A DBX converter opens Outlook Express DBX files and converts them into another format. Corbett DBX Converter does that offline on Windows, so old Outlook Express mail opens in Outlook, Thunderbird, a PDF viewer or any mail client.
What it opens
Single DBX files and entire folders, Inbox.dbx included
What it saves
PST, EML, MBOX, PDF, HTML, TXT, CSV and more
Who uses it
Admins, lawyers and anyone holding mail from an old Outlook Express PC
Conversion scope
A DBX file is one Outlook Express mail folder, and few current programs open it. Copying the file into a new program gives an empty folder. DBX converter reads the folder on Windows and saves its messages in formats any system accepts, with your DBX left as it was.
Kept in output
5DBX input types
4Outputs
7Not needed
4One Outlook Express folder per DBX file
FileInfo DBX page says a DBX file is an Outlook Express mail folder, such as Inbox.dbx or Sent Items.dbx, with a separate Folders.dbx as index. It also says Outlook Express is discontinued. Mail left in those files needs a way out. DBX converter opens them on Windows and saves the mail in a format you can use.
Related pages: PST Converter, EML Converter, MBOX Converter and DBX to PST Converter. Other mail files sit on email converter tool page.
Core features
Five screens of Corbett DBX converter software, in conversion order.
Source files
Select Open, then Email Data Files, and add your DBX files. DBX converter loads your mail into its panel, and no Outlook Express is needed.
A spare PC with no Outlook still works. DBX file converter reads your files and leaves them as they were.
Batch loading
Select Choose Files for one DBX file or a few. Select Choose Folders to load an entire directory of DBX files in one step.
Loaded mail appears in one tree with a checkbox beside every item, so DBX converter handles many DBX files in a single session. No file size limit applies.
Message preview
Click any message and a reading pane opens beside five analysis views. Use them to confirm correct mail before an export starts.
Content shows the email body. Message header lists From, To, Subject and Date. Properties reports message data, while hex and raw message views show the stored mail.
Output formats
Email files export to PST, EML or MBOX. Document files export to PDF, HTML, TXT or CSV. The Export menu also lists Gmail, Office 365, IMAP and Thunderbird for sending mail into an account.
Search by keyword first, then save only matched items. Quick search highlights hits in yellow, and Advance search checks every field or only name, subject, To, Cc and content.
Export options
Switch on open folder after export, skip greyed out folders, create empty folders and include email headers. For PST output, create an individual PST file for every folder, so small files stay healthy.
Select Browse to choose a destination, then Save. Live progress shows every folder as it converts. Need Outlook files? Open DBX to PST Converter.
Working process
Four steps take your DBX files to their new format. Try them on a few files in free demo first.
Add your DBX files
Start DBX converter, select Open, then Email Data Files and add your DBX files. Select Choose Files for one file or Choose Folders for many.
Preview and select mail
Your DBX folders load as one tree. Click any email to preview it, tick what you need and search by keyword to trim your conversion.
Choose your output
Select Export and choose a format: PST, EML or MBOX for email files, PDF, HTML, TXT or CSV for documents.
Save your converted mail
Set options, select Browse for a folder and press Save. Live progress shows every folder, and Open Folder takes you to your output.
Want the loading screens? Follow Import DBX to Thunderbird.
Working process
Prefer text? Open Open DBX file in Outlook to read DBX mail in a current Outlook.
Advanced options
Small options that save hours when you convert DBX files in bulk.
Batch DBX conversion
Folders of DBX files converted in one session
No file size limit
DBX files of any size convert
Folder layout kept
Folders stay as you stored them
Attachment extraction
Save attachments alone from any DBX
Email address extraction
Export addresses to CSV
Phone number extraction
Pull numbers from message bodies
File naming options
Name output by From, To, Date or Subject
Smart filters
Date, sender, subject and size
Quick and advance search
Find emails before you convert
Five preview views
Content, header, properties, hex and raw message
Individual PST per folder
One PST file for every folder
Log and CSV report
See what converted and what failed
USB and NAS targets
Save output to external drives and network storage
Include email headers
Keep full header data in output
Old PC mail
Outlook Express folders copied from retired Windows PCs
Choose output
DBX converter saves to nine file formats. Match format to where your converted mail will open.
| Format | Best for | Opens in |
|---|---|---|
| PST | One file per mailbox with folders intact | Microsoft Outlook |
| MBOX | Moving mail to a free email client | Thunderbird and Apple Mail |
| EML | One file per email, easy to search | Windows Mail and most email clients |
| Legal files, audits and printing | Any PDF viewer | |
| HTML | Reading mail with no email client | Any web browser |
| TXT | Plain text archives | Any text editor |
| CSV | Lists of senders, dates and subjects | Excel and Google Sheets |
| vCard | Contacts moved into a phone or address book | Outlook, Gmail and phones |
| ICS | Calendar entries shared between apps | Outlook, Google Calendar and Apple Calendar |
Free demo
Test DBX Converter on a Real DBX File
Install free demo, add a DBX file and choose a format. Free demo converts 10 emails per folder, so your output is quick to check.
Download free demoTry before you buy
Free demo opens, previews and searches your full set of DBX files. Only conversion is capped.
| Feature | Free demo | Full version |
|---|---|---|
| Add DBX files and folders | Yes | Yes |
| Preview, search and analysis views | All available | All available |
| Emails converted per folder | 10 | Unlimited |
| DBX file count and size | Conversion stops at 10 per folder | No limit |
| Price | Free | From $99 one time |
Use cases
Anyone who must convert DBX files that will not open where needed.
People leaving Outlook Express
DBX converter saves old DBX folders as PST, EML or MBOX and keeps the folder tree in place.
Legal and compliance teams
Convert DBX emails to PDF with sender, date and attachments named clearly for case files and audits.
IT admins after a switch
DBX converter saves leftover DBX files from retired Windows PCs in formats users open in current mail programs.
Anyone archiving old mail
Convert years of Outlook Express mail into one searchable PST or a set of PDFs for your records.
Investigators
Preview message header, hex and raw views for a DBX of unknown origin before you export.
Marketers and list builders
Export addresses and phone numbers from old DBX files to CSV for outreach.
Why Corbett
No subscription
Lifetime price from $99
Works offline
No sign-in and no upload
Originals stay safe
DBX files open read only
No Outlook Express needed
Convert DBX on a modern PC
No size limit
Any DBX size and file count
Folders kept
Inbox, Sent Items and subfolders stay in order
Smart filters
Date, sender, subject and size
30-day refund
Money-back window after purchase
Before conversion
DBX converter converts Outlook Express folders into another format. Here is what that covers and where it stops.
| Capability | Supported | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| File to file conversion | Yes | DBX to PST, EML, MBOX, PDF, HTML, TXT and CSV |
| Outlook Express installed | Not needed | Files open on a modern Windows PC with no old mail program |
| Folders.dbx index file | Optional | Load Folders.dbx with your folders, or load single DBX files alone |
| Source DBX files | Read only | Output goes to a new folder and your originals stay as they were |
| Internet and passwords | Not needed | Conversion works offline on local files |
| Client settings and rules | Not converted | Account setup, signatures, blocked senders and passwords stay behind |
| Live mailboxes | Other mode | Use Email Backup Software or Email Migration Tool for accounts |
| Mac and Linux | No | DBX converter installs on Windows only |
Outlook or tool
Windows Live Mail can import Outlook Express mail, which works for a few folders. Other formats, extraction and bulk jobs need more. Here is where the free route stops.
| Task | Windows Live Mail import | DBX Converter |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | From $99 one time |
| A few DBX folders | Import works | Works too |
| Folders of DBX files | Folder by folder | One batch of files or folders |
| Old program installed | Windows Live Mail needed | Not required |
| Output formats | One mail program | PST, EML, MBOX, PDF, HTML, TXT and CSV |
| Data extraction | Copy by hand | Addresses, phone numbers and attachments |
| Filters | Folder search only | Date, time, To, From, size and name |
| File names | Fixed by the program | Named by From, To, Date or Subject |
For one small folder on a PC with Windows Live Mail, the free import does the job.
Global recognition
Users rate Corbett DBX converter 4.6 out of 5 from 683 reviews, and these software directories list it.
CNET
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TopSoftware Advisor
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Specifications
Download details
System
Supported editions
Windows 11 (64 bit), 10, 8 and 7 in 32-bit or 64-bit, plus Windows Server 2016, 2012 R2 and 2008.
Start DBX converter with administrator rights.
Corbett has built Windows email utilities since 2020. Setup trouble and first-use questions go to our support desk.
User testimonials
DBX converter shares 683 reviews on software index sites and customer feedback.
Collected across 683 reviews from software indexes and customer feedback. Three reviews below are unedited.
I had the best experience using this tool. The technical support team guided me with utmost professionalism and kindness. Moreover, this DBX to PST converter tool is proficient in converting multiple files into PST format at once. Would definitely recommend it to other users in need.
This is undoubtedly the best tool to convert DBX format in an efficient and hassle-free way. The features included in this tool are top class and rare to find in any other software on the internet. I love this tool and I am happy with how so many technical professionals recommended this utility to users.
Before conversion
Three short checks keep your DBX conversion clean.
Copy DBX files off the old PC
FileInfo DBX page says a DBX file holds one mailbox, such as Inbox.dbx. Copy them into one plain folder, so DBX converter loads them together.
Set file names early
Names built from Subject alone can collide in a big set. Subject plus Date keeps names unique across a batch.
Check free disk space
PDF and EML output can take more room than DBX. Select an output drive with plenty of space.
Pulling out single items is covered in Extract email addresses from DBX files and Extract attachments from Windows Live Mail.
Best practice
A DBX conversion only helps if your mail arrives complete. Four habits keep your data safe through it.
Back up first
Copy your original DBX folder before you start. Keep 3 copies on 2 types of media with 1 copy off site.
Start with one folder
Convert one small DBX file with DBX converter and open a few messages in your new format. Catch a wrong setting before a large job.
Check the count
Compare folder counts from your old mail program with the converted folders before you close the job.
Keep originals until checked
Store your source DBX files until counts match. Delete them only after you open converted mail.
Common questions
DBX converter steps, formats, limits and licence answers.
A DBX converter opens Outlook Express DBX files and converts them into another format. Corbett DBX Converter does that offline on Windows, so DBX file converter needs no Outlook Express.
Open DBX converter, select Open, then Email Data Files and add your DBX files. Choose Files or Choose Folders, preview your mail, select Export, choose a format and press Save. Attachments stay with every message.
FileInfo DBX page says a DBX file is an Outlook Express mail folder. A DBX file holds one mailbox, such as Inbox.dbx or Sent Items.dbx, and Folders.dbx holds the index.
Outlook Express stored mail in a closed format that later mail programs stopped supporting. Copying the file in gives nothing to read. DBX converter decodes the folder and rewrites the messages in a format your new program accepts.
Yes. DBX converter reads your files by itself, so a modern Windows PC with no Outlook Express or Outlook still converts DBX files. No internet connection or mailbox password is needed.
PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, EMLX, PDF, HTML, TXT, CSV, MHT and DOC. The Export menu also lists Gmail, Office 365, IMAP and Thunderbird for sending mail into an account.
Select PST in the Export menu, set options such as an individual PST for every folder and press Save. DBX to PST Converter covers that job.
Select PDF in the Export menu, search for the emails you need, choose a naming option and press Save. Every message becomes a PDF. Convert DBX to PDF shows the steps.
Yes. Select EML for one file per email, or MBOX for Thunderbird and Apple Mail. Folders stay in order. EML Converter and MBOX Converter cover those files.
Yes. Select CSV in the Export menu and open the file in Excel. DBX to CSV shows the steps.
Yes. Convert DBX to PST, then import the PST. Open DBX file in Outlook and Windows Live Mail to Outlook cover both routes.
Yes. Select MBOX or EML and load the output in Thunderbird. Import DBX to Thunderbird shows the steps.
The Export menu lists Gmail, Office 365, IMAP and Thunderbird. Read Windows Live Mail to Gmail and Import DBX to Office 365 for the steps.
Yes. Select Choose Folders and load an entire directory, then DBX converter converts every file in one session.
No. DBX converter sets no size cap, and DBX files of any size convert. Keep free disk space for your output.
Yes. Search by keyword with quick search, or use Advance search across every field or only name, subject, To, Cc and content, then save matched items.
Yes. A reading pane opens beside content, message header, properties, hex and raw message views for every email.
Yes. Save attachments alone, export addresses to CSV and pull phone numbers from message bodies. Extract email addresses from DBX files shows the steps.
No. DBX converter opens your files read only, and output goes to a new folder. Keep a spare copy anyway.
No. Conversion happens on your PC with no upload. Corbett never sees your DBX files or messages.
Free demo of DBX converter opens your files, shows every folder and gives you every search and preview. Conversion stops at 10 messages per folder, enough to test your output before you buy.
Windows 11 (64 bit), 10, 8 and 7, plus Windows Server 2016, 2012 R2 and 2008. There is no macOS or Linux build.
Personal licence covers 5 machines for $99, Business covers 25 for $299 and Enterprise covers 100 for $499. All three are one time payments with lifetime validity, 24/7 support and a 30 day refund.
DBX guides
Every page below covers one DBX job and answers questions it raises.
Related converters
Other mail files sit on email converter tool page. Account moves use Email Migration Tool or IMAP Migration Tool, broken archives belong with email recovery software and email viewer software opens mail files free. Save a live account with Office 365 Backup Tool, Outlook.com Backup Tool or Gmail Backup Tool.
Get started
Test DBX Converter on a spare DBX copy first. Full access is from $99 in a single payment, and refunds are open for 30 days.
Download free demo Purchase now
87.4 MB · Windows 11 to 7 and Windows Server 2025 to 2008 · 30 day money back