Import Emails

How to Import EML to Exchange Mailbox? Easy Steps

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Quick Answer: To import EML to Exchange Mailbox, you can use Desktop Outlook, Exchange Web Services (EWS), or some automated tools depending on your level of technical skills and the number of EML files you need to transfer to Exchange Mailbox or Exchange Online:

  • Classic Outlook (Drag-and-Drop): Open Classic Outlook connected to your Exchange account. create a folder to import EML files into and drag-and-drop the EML files into that folder.
  • New Outlook for Windows: Go to the Menu > Settings > File > Import and upload EML files into your Exchange mailbox and choose Exchange account as the destination. (Note: has a limit of 14 MB and does not support subfolders).
  • Dedicated EML to Exchange Migration Tool: The tool makes bulk migration easy, bypassing size limitations and preserving folder structure by directly uploading EML files to Exchange Server without the need for subfolders.
  • PowerShell & EWS (For Admins): For advanced users, Exchange Web Services (EWS) scripts allow users to migrate .eml files in bulk directly to Exchange Online or Exchange Server mailboxes.

Reasons to Import EML to Exchange Mailbox

Before knowing the method, let’s look at why users are moving EML emails to Exchange Server:

  • Exchange Server easily manages multiple individual email files in a single mailbox.
  • Users get better collaboration with shared calendars, contacts, meeting scheduling, & shared mailboxes.
  • Access emails on Outlook, web browsers, & mobile devices without moving EML files manually.
  • Admins can use policies, permissions, retention rules, auditing, backups, etc., much more easily.
  • Get archiving, eDiscovery, & legal retention features that local EML storage doesn’t provide.

Also Read: How to import EML files to Office 365?

DIY Techniques: Free Methods to Import EML to Exchange Server Online

If you are trying to migrate EML files to Exchange Server freely, then these manual methods will be helpful. Let’s look at the direct methods to import EML files into Exchange Server.

Method 1: Import EML to Exchange Mailbox Using Classic Outlook (Drag & Drop)

Configure Exchange Server account in Outlook and import EML files to Outlook using the drag-and-drop feature by following these steps:

  1. Open the classic MS Outlook desktop client.
  2. Ensure Outlook is connected to your Exchange account.
  3. Create or select a target folder to save the imported EML files.
  4. Drag & drop EML files directly from your Windows/Mac file explorer into the Outlook folder.
  5. EML files will start showing in the folder once the uploaded emails are synchronized with the server.

Method 2: Use the New Outlook for Windows

  1. Start the New Outlook application.
  2. Go to Settings > Files > Import.
  3. Hit Start import. A file navigation window will open. Select the folder containing the .eml files.
  4. You have to specify which Exchange account/folder you will import the files into.

Note: The New Outlook has a limitation of 14MB regarding file size with regard to this procedure; the subfolders will not be taken into account.

Method 3: Using Exchange Web Services (EWS) & PowerShell (For Admins)

  1. If you have a bunch of .eml files, you can run them from the script using EWS.
  2. This script connects to and accesses your Exchange/Office 365 server and uses MIME/EML streams to work with the necessary directories.

Note: This method requires advanced technical knowledge and Exchange admin credentials.

Method 4: Directly Import EML to Exchange Mailbox in Batches

If you want to avoid manual file limitations, complicated PowerShell scripting, and Outlook installation, use a specialized tool like the BitRecover EML Converter Tool, which directly moves EML files to your Exchange Mailboxes without any effort.

Why use this automated tool?

  • No Outlook Required: Import EML to Exchange Mailboxes without Outlook installation.
  • Batch Migration: Save time by easily importing multiple EML files into Exchange in bulk at once.
  • Universal Support: The powerful EML to Exchange migration tool is easily compatible with EML files created by any email client.
  • Cross-Platform: You can easily install the software on any version of Mac and Windows

Try its free demo version now!

How to Use the EML to Exchange Server Migration Tool?

  1. Run the EML to Exchange migration tool & choose your EML files or folders.
    add eml file
  2. Preview the entire mailbox folders and subfolders then select those EML files you want to import to Exchange.
    preview eml files
  3. Select the Exchange Server option from the tool’s saving list.
    select exchange server
  4. Enter your Exchange login details and Server name.
  5. Begin the process to import EML files to Exchange Server.

Advantages & Benefits of EML to Exchange Migration Tool

  • Upload a bulk of EML files to Exchange Server without any data size limitations (bypassing New Outlook’s 14MB limit).
  • Maintain data integrity and subfolder structure during the EML to Exchange Server import process.
  • Both technical & non-technical users can easily use this user-friendly interface.
  • Fast solution to migrate multiple EML files to an on-premises Exchange Server or Hosted Exchange.
  • Supports all EML-based email clients such as Windows Live Mail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.
  • Advanced filtering features to import EML to Exchange Mailbox based on criteria such as date, subject, To, CC, BCC, etc.
  • “I am Admin” option to import EML files into specific Exchange Server user accounts effortlessly.
  • Optimization settings & Logs help users to manage the migration process easily. Users can control performance, memory usage, & processing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1: How to migrate EML files to Exchange while preserving email folders & attachments?

If users are trying to import EML to Exchange Mailbox while preserving email folders & attachments, then choose the expert-recommended solution. This tool doesn’t alter your folder structure during migration. Users get the exact same EML files as they saved in their local folders.

Q 2: Can I avoid duplicate EML files during migration?

Yes, users just need to choose our professional solution that removes duplicate EML files and imports only the selected, unique EML files into the Exchange Server.

Q 3: How to easily move old EML archives into Exchange?

Users can choose any EML file or archive folder they want to import into Exchange. This tool moves any EML files created by any email client directly into Exchange Server.

Time to Conclude

In this post, you can discover how to import EML to Exchange Mailbox and Exchange Online while keeping all attached files safe. It elaborates on both free manual strategies as well as an automated EML to Exchange migration tool to make EML imports to Exchange mailbox hassle-free. Although users can use free solutions like drag-drop or PowerShell, these methods have certain limitations that make the process difficult for someone with little technical knowledge. The professional tool allows for an easier and more convenient import of EML to Exchange.

About the Author

Rollins Duke

Rollins Duke

Technical Content Writer at BitRecover · 2129 articles

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