Evolution is the free email client application that provides traditional emailing features like Calendar, address book, to-do list, etc. Unlike Outlook, Evolution is deployed and used on Linux and Unix-like systems. Evolution’s user interface is quite similar to Outlook; in fact, most of the functionalities which are integrated into Outlook are there in Evolution. Some other features that are also incorporated in Evolution include:
- Secure network encryption
- Supports POP and IMAP for email retrieval
- STMP is supported for email transmission
- Email filtration
- Supports spam filtration
- Supports automatic synchronization with SyncML, SyncEvolution and Palm OS devices
- Direct connectivity to Novell Groupwise and MS Exchange Server
- Calendar support for iCalendar file format
Evolution, however, when compared to MS Outlook, lacks advanced security features and Windows-platform support. Moreover, being a freeware email client makes it more vulnerable to external threats like virus intrusions and malware attacks. That’s why many users are now shifting to a more reliable platform like Outlook.
Convert into MBOX format
Now, users who are looking forward to migrating their data from Evolution to Outlook have to undergo certain manual or automated procedures. First, you have to export the data in the MBOX file format; then, you can use either manual or automated means to convert the file in PST format which is supported by Outlook. Evolution mailbox data is saved in an SQLite database file (.db) on your local system. Typically, you can locate the source database file in the following location:
~/.local/share/evolution/mail/local/folders.db
Once the source database file is located, you can export the file to MBOX format via the client itself. Given below are the instructions to export your Evolution data to MBOX format.
- Launch Evolution Mail and go to the mailbox folder.
- Click on Edit > Select All.
- Then, go to File and click on the Save as mbox... option.
In case you are using Evolution Mail on a Unix-based system. The converted file is saved at the given location on your local system.
~/.local/share/evolution/mail/local/”
The next step requires you to convert the backup MBOX file to PST format to import the data to Outlook’s mailbox. As we stated earlier, you can use the manual as well as automated means to achieve the migration. However, the recommended way is to use reliable third-party software to do the conversion task.
In this regard, we have highlighted an efficient third-party software Kernel for MBOX to PST to ramp up the conversion task for you. All you have to do is download the software and follow the given instructions:
- Launch the MBOX converter software.
- Browse to locate the folder containing Evolution Mail backup MBOX files.
- Select the required folder and click on OK to add it to the tool’s interface. Then, click on the Finish button.
- You can preview the emails by clicking on individual items from the mailbox folders. Once done, click on the Save button to save the file in the desired format.
- Now, PST file (MS Outlook) as the output format and click on the Next button to proceed.
- Apply filters for a customized conversion - keep what you want to keep on the file, by specifying the requirements. Click on Next once done.
- Manage the new PST file by choosing from Split and Prefix options in this step. Split your file into same sized multiple PST files for better management and provide a prefix to give it a unique identity. These changes are optional, click Next anyways.
- Choose a destination for the file by clicking on the Browse button and click on the Finish button once specified.
- As the saving part is completed, click OK to finish the process.
Other additional benefits of the Kernel for MBOX and PST includes-
- The tool supports about 20 email clients, including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Evolution, Opera, PocoMail, Claws Mail, Sparrow, Spicebird, etc.
- A comprehensive preview of all the existing items of the mailbox is presented to ensure the accuracy of items.
- Single, as well as multiple MBOX files, can be converted at one go.
- In addition to PST file format, the tool can save the data in MSG or EML file format as well.
- The advanced filtering options allow users to save selective items.
- It is well compatible with all versions of Microsoft Outlook.
Conclusion
Due to limited security features, professionals are opting out of Evolution and switching to MS Outlook. In order to migrate MBOX files of Evolution to Outlook PST, all the mailbox items need to be exported to MBOX format. Then, the MBOX files need to be converted into PST format. This should be carried out by a professional tool due to the complexities involved
