Summary: To convert EML to MSG, you can use New Outlook, Classic Outlook, and a dedicated EML to MSG converter tool. However, the dedicated tool makes the EML to MSG conversion and saving process more direct and easier than anything else, even Outlook.

EML file is a standard email format that is compatible with different email clients. Often, due to specific use cases like switching to Outlook email client, the user needs to convert EML to MSG format. However, both EML and MSG are used to store a single email file, but MSG offers more advantages when we are talking about Outlook, email archiving, and searching.

In this guide, we will see how to convert EML files to MSG format using New Outlook, Classic Outlook, and a dedicated tool. Let's get started by learning the reasons for conversion first!

Major Reasons Why You Need To Convert EML to MSG?

There are several reasons to convert EML files to MSG format. Some of the major reasons are listed below:

  • Convert EML files to MSG for Outlook-based workflows that require MSG format.
  • Meet legal or compliance requirements for MSG email records.
  • Maintain a consistent MSG format across Outlook email archives.
  • Move emails from other email clients into MSG-based workflows.
  • Retain supported Outlook-specific message properties during conversion.
  • MSG uses OLE structured storage, which is less risky for email corruption.
  • MSG files better handle attachments and are also easy to index by many enterprise search tools

How to Convert EML to MSG Format?

There are three approaches to converting EML files to MSG format. Each one has advantages over the others. Understand each method and choose the one that suits you well:

Method 1: Convert EML Files to MSG Using New Outlook

If you are using the New Outlook, you can convert EML to MSG effectively. However, you’ll need to import the EML file into Outlook first; then you can save EML file to MSG one by one. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Open New Outlook for Windows, go to the File tab, then tap on Open and Export.
    2. Open New Outlook for Windows
  2. Select Data Files, tap on Import, then tap Start Import under Email Files (.eml).
    3. Click Start Import
  3. Click Choose to select and upload the folder containing EML files.
    4. select and upload the folder containing EML files
  4. Once you have selected the EML folder, tap on Upload.
    5. select the EML folder
  5. After uploading, choose the account where you want to import, then tap on Create a new folder.
    6. Create a new folder
  6. Name the folder, then tap the tick to create.
    7. Name the folder
  7. Choose the newly created folder as the destination, then tap on Import.
    8. tap on Import
  8. The EML importing process will start. You can see the live progress.
    9. EML importing process will start
  9. After the import is complete, go to the folder where your EML files are, open any email, tap on File > Save As, then choose MSG.
    10. Save As MSG
  10. Enter the new file name, specify the saving location, and tap Save.
    11. Enter new file name and click save

Note: The above methods allow you to import bulk EML files to New Outlook. You can also add an EML file to New Outlook via the copy (CTRL+C)-paste (CTRL+P) or drag-and-drop technique. For converting a few EML files to MSG, the copy-paste technique would be quicker. However, you can save emails to MSG one by one.

Method 2: Convert EML files to MSG using Classic Outlook

If you’re using Classic Outlook, you can also convert EML to PST. However, for each EML file, you need to repeat the saving process. Here are the steps to convert EML files to MSG:

  1. Go to the folder where you’ve saved your EML file. Select them and press CTRL+C or copy by right-clicking.
    2. select and copy eml files
  2. Now open your classic Outlook, select the mailbox account, right-click on it, and choose New Folder.
    3. choose New Folder
  3. Name the new folder within your account. Open that folder and press CTRL+V or choose Paste by right-clicking. EML file importing will start. You can also drag & drop EML files into an Outlook folder.
    4. EML file importing will start
  4. After successfully importing EML files, select any email messages in the newly created folder, go to File, and tap on Save As.
    5. tap on Save As
  5. Input the file name, specify the saving location, and tap on Save.
    6. Input the file name and save

Your EML file will be saved in MSG format. You can now open it directly via Outlook.

Note: The biggest drawback of using Outlook to convert EML to MSG format is that you can only convert a single email at a time. If you are converting a few EML files to MSG, you can use the manual method. But for bulk email conversion, say 1000+ emails, manually converting each one will be tedious and unrealistic. A better way to perform large-scale EML file conversion is to use an EML converter tool that supports saving EML files to MSG.

Method 3: Convert EML to PST using a Dedicated Tool

While manual methods require repetitive saving tasks for each EML, with a dedicated converter, all your EML files, even thousands or more, can be converted into MSG in a few clicks. It can reduce your EML to MSG saving hassle. Moreover, the chance of missing out on any EML file is reduced.

Kernel EML to PST Converter also converts EML files into MSG files with all data and metadata intact. The working process of the software is simple. Download and install the tool, then follow the steps below:

Step 1: Launch the tool. The home screen of the tool will appear on your screen.

Launch the tool

Step 2: From the left navigation pane, open EML file location and select the EML folder. The tool will list all the EML files.

select the EML folder

Note: To find your EML file automatically within the system, tap on the Search button and select a drive.

tap on the Search button

Step 3: Select folders containing EML files from the left pane and preview EML files. After that, click the Save

preview EML files and click Save

Step 4: Now apply the Conversion Rule to filter your data based on From, To, Date, and Subject, and then click Next.

apply the Conversion Rule

Note: To get only the emails with attachments, check the Attachment check box at the bottom.

Step 5: To convert EML files to MSG, select the Save in MSG option. Then, click Browse and specify the location to save the converted email files. Finally, click Save.

select the Save in MSG option

Note: To keep the original source folder hierarchy in the destination while saving, make sure to check the “Save in Folder Hierarchy” checkbox.

Step 6: The tool starts the EML to MSG conversion.

EML to MSG conversion started

Step 7: After the successful conversion, you will get a confirmation message along with a link to the saving location.

file saved successfully

This way, you can perform multiple EML to MSG file conversions with the tool without any difficulties.

Final Words

Converting an EML file to MSG is a necessity for individuals who mostly use Outlook. Now you know both manual and automated methods to convert EML to MSG. Make sure to back up emails before trying any conversion method. For converting a few emails, prefer either Outlook New or Classic, but for bulk email conversion with no manual hassle and unnecessary time consumption, go with a dedicated conversion tool. In addition to MSG, you can also use the tool to convert EML to PST for importing EML files into Outlook directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Will converting EML to MSG using Outlook change the email header data?

A. No, the email metadata remains the same after conversion. You can use the manual method or the professional tool without worrying about any changes in email data.

Q2. What is the fastest way to convert bulk EML files to MSG files?

A. For a large-scale EML file conversion, the fastest method is to use an EML converter tool that supports EML to MSG conversion.

Q3. How does the professional tool handle attachment files during conversion?

A. Professional tools are designed to maintain the integrity of each attachment during conversion. They can easily handle all types of attachment files, be it images, audio, video, etc.

Q4: What are the drawbacks of using Outlook (New or Classic) to convert EML to MSG?

A: Drawbacks of converting EML to MSG via Outlook (New or Classic) are:

  • Importing takes more time.
  • Folder hierarchy changes.
  • Chance of missing important EML files.
  • Requires saving each EML file to MSG manually.

Q5: How does an EML converter help to reduce the manual hassle of converting EML to MSG?

A: With an EML converter, you can add multiple large EML files at once and directly convert the bulk EML to MSG in no time. It requires only a few clicks.

Sarthak Poswal
Sarthak PoswalTechnical Writer

This article is written by Sarthak Poswal, a technical content writer at Kernel Data Recovery. This content has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial guidelines.

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