How to Open Email Records (.PST & .MBOX)

When you request email records, they usually arrive as a .PST file (Outlook) or a .MBOX file (Gmail or Apple Mail). This page shows you how to open them. SWMiTech can also print the records to PDF for easy viewing.

Which file did you get? .PST is an Outlook email file: open it in Outlook (recommended) or the free GoldFynch PST Viewer. .MBOX is a Gmail or Apple Mail file: open it in the free GoldFynch MBOX Viewer and drag your file into the window. The GoldFynch viewers open your file on your own computer and do not upload it.

Option 1: Open a .PST file in Outlook (recommended)

Open Outlook first. Do not double-click the .pst file itself.

Classic Outlook

Select File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
Browse to your .pst file, then select OK.
The file shows up in the folder list on the left as a new Outlook Data File. Browse, search, and print emails like normal.

New Outlook

Select Settings > Files > Outlook Data Files.
Select Add file, choose your .pst file, then select Open.

When you are done: In classic Outlook, right-click the Outlook Data File in the folder list and select Close. In new Outlook, go to Settings > Files > Outlook Data Files, select Manage, then Close file.

No Outlook? Use the free PST viewer

Go to the GoldFynch PST Viewer.
Drag your .pst file into the browser window.
Your emails load in a list you can browse and search.

Option 2: Open a .MBOX file

Go to the GoldFynch MBOX Viewer.
Drag your .mbox file into the browser window.
Your emails load in a list you can browse and search.

Save or print an email as a PDF

Use these steps in Outlook or in either GoldFynch viewer.

Save any email as a PDF in 3 steps: 1. Open the email. 2. Press Ctrl + P (Mac: Cmd + P). 3. Pick Save as PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF, then select Save.

Need help?

File will not open, or would you rather get a PDF copy? Submit a support ticket or call the Help Desk at 269-250-9280.

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