How to Export Office 365 Emails to MSG: 3 Secure Methods?
Published: July 27th, 2026 • 6 Min Read
To export Office 365 emails to MSG format, you can use the manual drag & drop method or Save Ad method offered by Outlook itself. Or you can also use a reliable dedicated Office 365 to MSG export tool if you are dealing with bulk emails.
If you are planning to migrate from Office 365, need to prepare for a legal hold, backing up important correspondence, or just want to archive old emails due to multiple reasons. This guide will walk you through every partial way to get the job done.
What is MSG File and Why Users Export it?
MSG format is created by Microsoft Outlook to store a single item. It can store an email message, contact, calendar, or any task. MSG files saves all the text, sender details, dates, and attachments in single file and keeps it intact and secure. Also, it contains Outlook specific fields such as flags, custom properties, and links. Below are multiple reasons that users consider it use it.
Backup
Save important emails as separate files instead of keeping everything in one large mailbox.
Easy-to-Share
Share an email file through a chat or mailing it without even forwarding the mail.
Safety & Security
MSG files make sure they preserve the originality of formatting, all hidden properties and metadata.
Quick Search
Quickly locate emails using your computer’s search option.
Data Protection
Protects email data from any accidental deletion or any account deactivation.
Embedded Attachments
Keeps all important documents, attachments, images, remains exactly the same.
Metadata Headers
Retains sender details, hyperlinks, all message IDs, and other details too.
Common Challenges While Exporting MSG from Office 365
- Outlook synchronization delays
- Inefficiency with large mailboxes
- Missing folder structure with manual export
- emails exported more than once
- Accidentally skipped emails when exporting in bulk
Tips Before Exporting Office 365 Emails
- Ensure Outlook is fully synchronized
- Always verify your internet connectivity
- Keep sufficient storage available on the disk
- Close all unnecessary applications while exporting data
- Export all important folders separately
- Verify all exported MSG files once the process is completed
- Store all exported emails in a secure location for backup
How to Save Office 365 Emails as MSG?
To export Office 365 emails to MSG format, you can use Outlook’s built-in Save As feature, drag & drop method, and a professional solution. Let us discuss these solutions and help you choose a good and reliable Office 365 to MSG export tool.
Method 1: Outlook’s Save As Method
- Firstly, open Microsoft Outlook Desktop app.
- Now, login to your Office 365 account.
- After this, open or select the email message you want to export as MSG.
- Now, click on File >> Save As.
- Choose Outlook Message Format that is .msg from Save as type menu.
- Lastly, pick a folder on your computer and click on Save.
If this method does not work, you can try two more methods listed below.
Method 2: Drag and Drop Emails as MSG File
- Open Microsoft Outlook on your system.
- Now, navigate to your Microsoft Office 365 mailbox.
- After this, select one or more emails.
- Open a folder in Windows File Explorer.
- Lastly, drag the selected emails from Outlook and drop them into the folder.
Note: Each email will automatically be saved as a separate .msg file. Also, this method only works with the Outlook desktop application for Windows and not supported on the web or the new Outlook application in some configurations.
Method 3: Reliable and Safe Way to Export Office 365 to MSG
Managing Office 365 emails in bulk can be challenging and it requires a safe solution. BitRecover Office 365 Backup Tool can be used to complete this task. It is recommended by industry experts as Office 365 to MSG export tool by exporting all your data from Office 365 into MSG format with ease.
Quick Steps Process to Complete the Process
- Open the solution and enter your Office 365 email address and click on the Login button.
- Once logged in, preview loaded data and choose MSG from Select Saving Option.
- Now, select File Naming Option to name your output data file.
- Apply advanced filter option to export data as per your requirements.
- Lastly, click on Backup button to complete the process and get .msg files.
Comparison of Manual Methods and Professional Solution
| Feature | Save As Method | Drag & Drop | Office 365 to MSG Export Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Single email | A few emails | Bulk Office 365 export |
| Export Capacity | One email at a time | One-by-one | Unlimited emails |
| Attachments Included | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Keep Folder Structure | ❌No | ❌No | ✅ Yes |
| Bulk Export | ❌No | Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Advanced Filter | ❌No | ❌No | ✅ Yes |
| Requires Outlook Installation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌No |
| Time Required | Slow | Moderate | Fast |
| Best For | Saving an important email | Export a small batch | Backup and export entire mailbox from Office 365 as per requirement |
Some Frequently Asked Questions
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Can I export multiple emails to MSG in Office 365? | Not though the manual methods “Built-in Save As Method” or “Drag and Drop Method” but above-mentioned professional Office 365 to MSG export tool you can easily export multiple emails in bulk without any issue. |
| Is MSG format the same as PST? | No. MSG stores a single email message, whereas PST stores an entire mailbox or folder structure that contains many emails. Both formats serve different purposes. |
| Does exporting to MSG remove attachments? | No. Attachments are exported and preserved within the MSG file as long as the export completes successfully. |
| Can I convert MSG to PST later? | Yes. Most solutions offer to convert MSG to PST format Also, Outlook can re-import MSG files into PST-based mailbox. |
| Is there a free way to export Office 365 to MSG format? | Yes, Drag and drop method, Save as method are free to use but they impose multiple limitations and security concerns. You can choose professional solution to complete this process as it first offers a demo so that you can export some emails with safety and if you are satisfied you can choose the license to complete bulk process. |
Need More Help?
We have discussed manual methods as well as a reliable Office 365 to MSG export tool to export Office 365 to MSG format. The comparison table might help you to select a solution according to your needs. All the methods have different features, environments, and steps. You can either use any manual method or a professional solution.
Still cannot figure out how to save Office 365 emails as MSG format? Get in touch with our technical support team via live chat. They are available 24*7 to assist and guide you.
