Export Outlook Email on Windows When Export Is Disabled
Your IT admin has disabled Outlook's Import/Export wizard. You can still export your Microsoft 365 or Exchange mailbox using Thunderbird, or Outlook's PST export if it is still available. Here's how.
The easiest way to check is to try connecting your account in Thunderbird (Method 1 below). If the connection is refused, IMAP is blocked too. In that case, contact your IT department and ask them to enable IMAP access for your account, or to run an eDiscovery export for you (see the FAQ).
Use Thunderbird (free, open-source)
Thunderbird connects to your mailbox over IMAP and exports directly to MBOX format, the same format Evermail accepts. It works even when Outlook's own export is blocked.
Download and install Thunderbird
Download Thunderbird from thunderbird.net and run the installer.
Add your Microsoft 365 or Outlook account
Open Thunderbird. On the setup screen choose Email, enter your name, your work email address, and password, then click Continue.
Thunderbird auto-detects Microsoft 365 and Exchange settings. For Microsoft 365, a browser window opens for sign-in. Approve any multi-factor prompt and grant the requested permissions.
If the connection is refused, your admin has disabled IMAP. Skip to the FAQ for the eDiscovery route, or contact IT to enable IMAP for your account.
Install ImportExportTools NG
Go to Tools → Add-ons and Themes. Search for ImportExportTools NG and click Add to Thunderbird.
This free add-on adds folder export options to Thunderbird's right-click menus.
Sync and export your folders
Wait for Thunderbird to finish downloading your messages (the status bar at the bottom shows progress).
Once synced, right-click a folder (for a full backup, your Inbox plus any custom folders) → ImportExportTools NG → Export folder → MBOX format.
Choose a save location and click OK.
Messages stored in a separate Online Archive sync as their own set of folders. Export those too if you need them.
Upload to Evermail
Go to app.evermail.ai, create a free account, and upload your .mbox file.
Evermail indexes every message so you can search by sender, keyword, date, or attachment.
Upload MBOX free →Use Outlook's PST export
If your admin disabled IMAP but left the Import/Export wizard on, you can export a PST file straight from the Outlook desktop app. Evermail reads PST files directly.
Open the Import/Export wizard
In Outlook, go to File → Open & Export → Import/Export.
If "Import/Export" is missing or greyed out, your admin has disabled it by policy. Use Method 1 (Thunderbird) instead, or ask IT for an eDiscovery export (see the FAQ).
Choose Export to a file
Select Export to a file → Outlook Data File (.pst) → Next.
Select your mailbox
Select the top-level folder for your account. Tick Include subfolders to capture everything.
Save the PST file
Choose a save location with plenty of disk space and click Finish. Leave the password fields blank unless you need one.
Upload to Evermail
Go to app.evermail.ai and upload your .pst file.
Evermail reads PST files directly, with no conversion. Your folder structure is preserved.
Upload PST free →Ready to search your Outlook archive?
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