Read time: 7 minutes
EML files contain all your email messages, including the subject, sender, recipients, attachments, and other important details. EML files are compatible with popular email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and Windows Mail. However, there are multiple scenarios where a user needs to import EML files into Outlook for better email management and accessibility.
Why Import EML to Outlook?
- If you want to manage all your EML files from a single email application with better organization.
- When you need to access archived EML emails without depending on the original email client.
- If you’re switching from an email client that stores messages in EML format to Microsoft Outlook.
- When you want to keep your emails, attachments, and other mailbox data together in a secure Outlook PST file.
- To create a reliable backup of bulk EML files in a portable PST file.
- Verify Outlook version compatibility before starting the EML import process.
- Create a backup copy of EML files to prevent data loss.
- Check EML files for corruption before importing them into Outlook.
- Make sure to have sufficient space in your Outlook client.
- Organize EML files properly for a smooth import process.
How to Import EML Files to Outlook Manually?
Explore some of the reliable manual methods that can easily import EML files into Outlook:
Method 1: Use Drag-and-Drop to Import EML to Outlook
Outlook supports the drag-and-drop feature that allows you to export or import EML files into Outlook. To proceed with this process, make sure that Outlook is installed in your system.
Follow these steps to add EML to your Outlook:
Step 1. Open MS Outlook Application.
Step 2. Move your cursor to your EML files.
Step 3. Drag the selected EML files and drop them into a folder in Outlook.
Step 4. Once you have successfully imported all your EML files. Try to open EML file in Outlook and access your emails.
Method 2: Import EML to Outlook using Outlook
EML files are easily accessible in multiple email clients, like Outlook, Thunderbird, and more. You can easily open your specific EML file in Outlook without importing it.
Quick Step: Left-click on your EML files > Open With > Outlook.
Method 3: Use New Outlook to import EML files
Microsoft always comes up with new versions of Outlook to offer advanced features to enhance users’ experience. Additionally, New Outlook comes with a built-in import feature to add EML files.
Let’s start the import process:
Step 1: Launch Outlook and click on Settings.
Step 2: Go to the General section and click Outlook Data Files.
Step 3: Select Import and click on Start import under Import email from a folder.
Step 4: Select the folder containing the EML files and start the import process.
Method 4: Add EML files using Outlook Express
Outlook Express is a free email client of Microsoft. It offers a built-in Import/Export feature to upload EML files to Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. To use this method, you must have Outlook and Outlook Express installed in your system.
Follow these steps to add your EML files:
Step 1: Open MS Outlook and go to the File menu.
Step 2: Click on the Open & Export option to choose Import/Export.
Step 3: Click on Import Internet Mail and Addresses and hit Next.
Step 4: Select Import Internet Mail and Addresses.
Step 5: Choose Outlook Express 4.x, 5.x, 6.x, or Windows Mail.
Step 6: Finally, click Finish to add EML to Outlook.
Method 5: Import EML using Windows Live Mail (WLM)
Windows Live Mail comes with an Import Messages feature that can easily import EML files to Outlook.
Let’s go with the process:
Step 1: Open Windows Live Mail and click on File.
Step 2: Select Import Messages and opt for Windows Live Mail.
Step 3: Click on Browse and select your EML files.
Step 4: WLM will start importing all your EML files.
How to Import Bulk EML Files to Outlook PST in an Efficient Way?
If you are dealing with limited EML files and also have experience using different email clients with a proper understanding of their features, then the above-discussed manual methods are perfect for you. However, if you are an organization with the requirement of large-scale bulk EML files conversion, spending a huge amount of time on these methods might become very hectic.
In that case, using the EML to PST Converter can work for you, allowing you to add bulk EML files and convert them into PST with ease. Later, you can import the converted files into Outlook to access the data.
Some of the features of the software that help you easily import EML files to Outlook PST are:
- Supports bulk EML file conversion without losing email properties.
- Converts EML files into a new or existing PST file.
- Multiple filtering options to import only the required data.
- Converts EML files of all supported email clients, including Thunderbird, WLM, etc.
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows for wide software accessibility.
Conclusion
I hope you find this blog helpful in understanding the methods to import EML files to Outlook. If you don’t have bulk EML files, then native methods are perfect for you. Choose any one of them and follow the process step-by-step to easily import your files. However, if you need to perform large-scale EML file conversion, you can use the tool and keep all the email data intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. You can import EML into Outlook Classic by using the drag-and-drop method, opening EML files directly in Outlook, or converting them to a PST file with a professional EML Converter tool.
A. Yes, Thunderbird supports EML files, so you can import EML files into Thunderbird to view your email details. If you later decide to use Outlook, you can export or convert the mailbox into an Outlook-compatible format.
A. To import EML files into Outlook without losing attachments, use EML to PST converter. It helps you to preserve email formatting, attachments, sender details, timestamps, and folder structure throughout the process.
![Best Windows Live Mail Alternatives [Updated 2026 List]](https://www.nucleustechnologies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/windows-livemail-alternative.jpg)
