Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How to open mbox files with thunderbird via console?

  • 5 ŋuɖoɖowo
  • 1 masɔmasɔ sia le esi
  • 121 views
  • Nuɖoɖo mlɔetɔ Matt

more options

If thunderbird is opened, I can open an mbox file via menu "File\open\Saved message", change filter to "all files" and choosing mbox file. Thunderbird is able to show this file as email.

My question is: Is there a command line argument which allows me to start thunderbird with a specific mbox file?

The following examples didn't work. thunderbird -file Test.mbox thunderbird -compose Test.mbox thunderbird -mail Test.mbox

If thunderbird is opened, I can open an mbox file via menu "File\open\Saved message", change filter to "all files" and choosing mbox file. Thunderbird is able to show this file as email. My question is: Is there a command line argument which allows me to start thunderbird with a specific mbox file? The following examples didn't work. thunderbird -file Test.mbox thunderbird -compose Test.mbox thunderbird -mail Test.mbox

Ŋuɖoɖo si wotia

Thanks for your help, but I don't want to import those files into Thunderbird. I need only a tool to visualize the mail. And yes i know I can use any text editor to do it. But it is not so convenient.

I think I have to use the inconvenient way to open the mbox file as I described in the first question.

Xle ŋuɖoɖo sia le goya me 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

dirk70 said

If thunderbird is opened, I can open an mbox file via menu "File\open\Saved message", change filter to "all files" and choosing mbox file. Thunderbird is able to show this file as email. My question is: Is there a command line argument which allows me to start thunderbird with a specific mbox file? The following examples didn't work. thunderbird -file Test.mbox thunderbird -compose Test.mbox thunderbird -mail Test.mbox

No.

You are trying to describe a solution - but what exactly is do you want to see IN thunderbird, and why?

more options

The way I described to open mbox files is very inconvenient. It would be very nice to open mbox files via console or via double click in file manager.

more options

dirk70 said

The way I described to open mbox files is very inconvenient. It would be very nice to open mbox files via console or via double click in file manager.

This "method" shows the first message in the MBOX file and then appends the rest as plain text representations of the mail, in it's native MIME encoded format. Not particularly useful for an MBOX with 20 or 30 thousand emails in it. Really Thunderbird is treating the MBOX as an EML, that they are the same as far as the first message is concerned may lead you to think you have "opened" the MBOX. You have not. You would do just about as well trying to open the file with a text editor.

The Mozilla Developer Network defines the command line switches here https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Command_Line_Options

Try using the import export tools add-on to import MBOX files. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

more options

Ɖɔɖɔɖo si wotia

Thanks for your help, but I don't want to import those files into Thunderbird. I need only a tool to visualize the mail. And yes i know I can use any text editor to do it. But it is not so convenient.

I think I have to use the inconvenient way to open the mbox file as I described in the first question.

more options

I suggest you type mbox viewer into a google search and download and try some of the utilities offered. I am sure you will find one you like.