Uncover How to Export Outlook Email to EML File Format

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: February 13th, 2024 • 6 Min Read

There are some unavoidable situations where users want to export Outlook email to EML file. But still, some users aren’t aware of how to convert Outlook email to EML format. If you are facing the same issue, then after reading this write-up everybody can easily save Outlook emails as EML format using 2 excellent techniques.

First, there is no direct option available to export Outlook email to EML format. But being an expert, I know multiple ways to save Outlook email as EML. Here, we will discuss the top 2 methods to resolve this problem. Hence, after reading this complete blog post, your query will be resolved.

Situations Where You Need to Save Outlook Email as EML

When you want to use your Outlook emails with email clients that support the EML file format such as Thunderbird, eM Client, Windows Live Mail, etc.

Various users wish to export Outlook email to EML files because EML is a generic file extension to store emails for the long term as an Outlook backup.

EML files can be opened and edited using the Notepad program without converting Outlook PST files to txt format.

Sometimes working professionals want to share a particular email with others. Then EML is best choice as EML is a single email format with plain text.

EML files seem suitable for forensic analysis or detailed examination of individual emails. EML files are often required in legal or investigative contexts.

Manual Way to Export Outlook Email to EML File

  1. Install Thunderbird client on the same computer.
  2. Use Import to add Outlook emails in Thunderbird.
  3. Restart Thunderbird and select an email folder to export.
  4. Press CTRL+A to select all emails within a folder.
  5. Export Outlook email to EML format from Thunderbird.

You can follow these steps to convert Outlook email to EML file using Thunderbird. If you are unable to understand these quick steps, then don’t worry. Follow the upcoming steps to do this task within 2 phases where we will use actual screenshots for your better understanding.

How to Convert Outlook Email to EML Format Manually?

Microsoft Outlook doesn’t provide any inbuilt option to export Outlook email as EML. So here, we are using Thunderbird email client as a mediator program to save Outlook email in EML format. You need to follow 2 stages to complete this process.

Stage 1: Import Outlook Emails to Thunderbird

  1. Start the Thunderbird email client and select Tools.
  2. Choose the Import option available in the dropdown choices.
    Tool Import
  3. Check Import from Outlook and press Continue.
    Import from Outlook
  4. Select Mail Messages to import them in Thunderbird.
    Mail messages
  5. Click Start Import to import Outlook PST to Thunderbird.
    Start import
  6. After completing the import process, hit the Finish button.
    Click finish
  7. Restart your Thunderbird to access imported emails.

Stage 2: Save Thunderbird Emails as EML Format

  1. Launch the Thunderbird client and select a specific folder.
  2. Press CTRL+A to select all specific folder email messages.
    Select emails from a folder
  3. Right-click and select the Save As option as shown.
    Saving Outlook email as EML
  4. Browse a destination path to store EML files and click Save.
  5. See Thunderbird exported emails in EML file.
    Resultant EML

Learn About the Limitations of the Manual Approach

However, this is a tried and tested technique to export Outlook email to EML files but still, it has some limitations. The manual approach can convert Outlook email to EML from a single folder at once. Hence, you will need to repeat the same steps multiple times depending on the total number of email folders.

If you know the value of time, then this method is not for you because you will need to complete two different stages to finish this task. Even it requires Thunderbird client installation on the same computer where your Outlook is installed. Overall, this is a highly time-consuming technology.

Pro Way to Convert Outlook Email to EML Files

Outlook PST Converter Software is an excellent choice for saving Outlook emails as EML files in bulk. This is a fully automated tool that is authorized to add Outlook profile data from the default storage location in one click.

The tool is compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and all old versions. Even it supports Outlook PST (Personal Storage Table) or OST (Offline Storage Table) data files having Unicode and ANSI standards.

How to Export Outlook Email to EML in Bulk?

  1. Start the suggested tool and enable an automated way of adding Outlook data.
    Add Outlook data
  2. Next, select the required Outlook folders that you wish to export.
    Select required Outlook folders
  3. Thereafter, pick EML extension as a saving option.
    Choose EML
  4. Set a specific destination path to store output data.
    Choose destination path
  5. Enable a file naming option to store emails in different styles.
    Export Outlook email to EML file
  6. Click Convert to save Outlook email in EML format.
    Convert Outlook email to EML format
  7. After the completion message, it automatically opens destination path.

What Is Special in Software Over Manual Way?

  • This software not only exports Outlook email as EML files in bulk but also allows to export Outlook contacts to vCard & CSV formats.
  • The tool offers various file naming conventions to manage output EML files in various styles based on multiple choices.
  • This application has several advance filters to download selective Outlook email as EML by date, sender, and receiver information.
  • If MS Outlook is not available then you can use this utility to convert PST to EML format with whole data i.e. emails, contacts, calendars, and all.
  • You can select or deselect required Outlook folders to export them in the EML file extension accordingly.
  • It can convert corrupted Outlook data into healthy EML files by enabling the Use Recovery Mode option.

FAQs to Clear Your Doubts

Q 1: How to download Outlook email as EML file?

You can use Thunderbird as a mediator application or use software to download Outlook email as EML file. Scroll to the above and learn more about to export Outlook email to EML file.

Q 2: Do both methods maintain all email items during the completion of this task?

Yes, of course, above explained both methods are suitable for saving Outlook email as EML including To, Cc, Bcc, Date, Time, Year, Subject, Heading, Hyperlink, Text Formatting, Signature, Inline Image, and all data.

Q 3: Is MS Outlook installation mandatory to perform the manual method?

Yes, MS Outlook and Thunderbird clients should be installed on the same computer to convert Outlook email to EML.

Ending for You

If you read this full write-up, we can surely assume that now you can export Outlook email to EML format without facing any type of difficulties. We have added real-time screenshot images to make this process much easier. We have tested both explained approaches under BitRecover Lab, and both are the best techniques. You can feel free to opt for any method depending on necessity.