How to Import EML to Outlook Classic, New, or Web Version?

Rollins Duke
Published: July 29th, 2026 • 12 Min Read

Looking for a technique to import EML to Outlook. First, you need to understand that it is not a single process. It directly depends on the version of Outlook you are using, i.e., Outlook Classic, New, or Web version. Secondly, the operating system you are using also changes the way of transferring EML files to Outlook. Mac OS users face different limitations compared to Windows users.

This guide provides step-by-step walkarounds for moving EML files to Outlook, specific to the version you are working with: New, Classic, or Web version, on both Mac and Windows. Additionally, we will also explore a method to bulk import thousands of EML files into Outlook in one go.

Quick Answer: Import EML files into Outlook Classic, New or Web Version

Use the Drag and Drop Method for Outlook Classic on Windows (Suitable for importing small number of files.)
Go with Built-in Import Feature for New Outlook on Windows (Limited to importing EML files into New Outlook for up to 14 MB from top-level folders only.)
Use Thunderbird as a bridge for importing EML to Outlook Web on Windows (Can be used for large batches, but ImportExportTools NG is required)
Bulk import EML to Outlook Any Version on Both Mac and Windows using BitRecover All-in-one EML to Outlook Wizard

Why Do Users Need to Move EML files to Outlook?

Switching from EML Based Email Client: Moving from Windows Live Mail or Thunderbird to Outlook, there is always a need to import EML to Outlook since EML is not a compatible format.
Restoring Backup EML Emails: Backup emails as EML files earlier, and now need to import them to Outlook to regain accessibility and searchability.
For Legal, Compliance, or Investigating Needs: Legal teams often need to consolidate EML files into a single Outlook mailbox for investigation and searchability.
Merging Multiple Sources into One: Need to consolidate scattered EML files from backups and email clients into a unified single Outlook mailbox.

Method 1: Import EML to Classic Outlook for Free Via Drag and Drop on Windows

Steps to Follow:

Open File Explorer and Classic Outlook in split-screen view.
Locate EML: Navigate to the folder where EML files are present.
Create New Folder: Right-Click on Personal Folders or account name/email address (if using M365 or Exchange account) to create a new folder and name it EML.
Drag and Drop: Now select multiple EML files and drag and drop them to the newly created folder in Outlook Classic.

Pros:

Completely free, no third-party software installation is required.
Works 100% offline do not require any active internet connection.
Fast for uploading a small number of EML files into Outlook Classic.

Cons:

Not suitable for bulk import: We have tested this method to import 100 EML files to Classic Outlook successfully. But for hundreds or thousands of EML files, Outlook may become unresponsive or completely freeze.
Do Not Preserve Folder Hierarchy: There is no way to maintain the original folder structure of the EML files until managed manually. During drag and drop, all EML files will land in a single folder in Outlook.
Prone to Human Error: Since the EML to Outlook Classic upload method is completely manual, there are chances for human error during manual drag and drop.

Method 2: Use New Outlook Built-In Import Feature for Importing EML Files on Windows

Steps to Follow

Launch New Outlook application on your Windows device.
Now, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner.
After that, click on Data Files > Import.
Then, click on Start Import (Under Email Files (.eml) > Choose button to add the EML files folder.
Next, select the EML file folder location from the File Explorer pop-up and click Upload.
Thereafter, under the Choose Destination, select New Outlook folder or create a new one.
Finally, tap on the Import button to start uploading EML files to New Outlook.

Pros:

Free and Secure Built-in New Outlook method to import EML files.
Fast to import a small number of EML files into New Outlook.
Simple and easy-to-follow steps for importing.

Cons:

Cannot import EML files into New Outlook for folder size exceeding 14 MB.
Only allows importing EML to New Outlook from the top-level folder, not from nested ones.
Not suitable for bulk uploading hundreds or thousands of EML files into New Outlook.
This free method is not capable of preserving the folder structure of the EML files folder.

Method 3: Import EML to Outlook Web Via Thunderbird Bridge Method on Windows

Steps to Follow

1 Phase: Use ImportExportTools NG Addon to Import EML to Thunderbird

Install Thunderbird and click on the three horizontal lines menu from the top-left corner.
Next, click on Add-ons and Themes and search for ImportExportTools NG.
After that, click Add to Thunderbird to install the add-on.
Next, right-click on Local Folder and select New Folder and name it.
Thereafter, right-click on the newly created folder and click ImportExportTools NG > Import EML Messages > All EML Messages From A Directory and Subdirectories.
Select the folder containing EML files from the pop-up and click the Select Folder option.

2 Phase: Configure Outlook Web Account in Thunderbird

Now, go to the three-line menu and click on New Account.
After that, fill up the account credentials, including Your full name, & Email address then click Continue.
Next, fill in the password in the pop-up according to Microsoft’s latest OAuth authentication method.
If the auto configure fail, click on configure manually and fill in the following incoming server and outgoing server details:
Incoming Server: office365.com, Port 993, SSL/TLS
Outgoing Server: smtp.office365.com, Port 587, STARTTLS
Authentication: OAuth
Now, click on re-test, then Done. A pop-up will open to complete 2FA authentication if enabled.
Wait to finish syncing your Outlook Web account with Thunderbird.

3 Phase: Use Move To Feature to Transfer Imported EML to Outlook Web Account

Go to the Folder where EML files are imported in Stage 1.
Next, use CTRL+Shift and the PgDn button to select EML files.
After that, right-click and select Move To > Outlook Web Account, like ([email protected]).
Finally, select the folder where the EML needs to be imported in Outlook Web account.

Pros:

The completely free method does not require any third-party applications.
Allows to import large number of EML files into Outlook Web.

Cons:

Requires technical knowledge of Outlook Web account configuration and Thunderbird features.
Need to install Thunderbird email client on your desktop.
Some Work or School Outlook web accounts might not work since using IMAP is blocked at the admin level. For such account users need a dedicated EML to Office 365 importer.
No dedicated technical support is available for any technical issue. Only limited to technical guides and community forums.

Bulk Import EML Files to Any Outlook Version on Both Mac and Windows

The above manual method works well for a small number of EML files, but fails on scale and accuracy. Here, one may use the All-in-one EML Converter to successfully bulk import EML files into Outlook Classic, New, and Web. This expert utility can be used on both Mac and Windows operating systems.

Download Now Purchase Now

Method 4: How to Bulk Import EML into Outlook Classic, New, Web or Mac? Working Steps

Steps to Follow

Start with Stage 1 to add EML files to the software interface and jump to the dedicated stage for the targeted Outlook version. Follow Stage 2 for Classic Outlook, Stage 3 for new Outlook, Stage 4 for Outlook Web, and Stage 5 for Mac Outlook.

1 Stage: Add EML Files to BitRecover EML to Outlook Wizard

Download and run the suggested utility on Mac or Windows OS.
Next, click on the Select Files or Select Folders option to add EML data to the software.
Thereafter, from the EML folder tree preview panel, enable the EML files that need to be imported.

2 Stage: Convert EML to PST to Import EML to Outlook Classic

Go to the savings options list and pick PST as a savings option.
Now, enter a required destination path for saving the resultant converted data.
Next, press the convert button and wait for the conversion to complete.
Open MS Outlook and go to the File>> Open & Export option.
Then, go to the Import/Export option.
Thereafter, go to this option “Import from another program or file” and hit the Next.
Next, choose the output PST files that you have created from .eml files by selecting Output Data File (.pst).
Finally, press the Next Here, browse all the PST files that you want to import and click on the Finish button to import .eml to Outlook Classic.

3 Stage: Use the EML to IMAP Saving Option to Import EML to Outlook New

Select IMAP from the saving option list.
Next, enter the email account credentials configured in New Outlook.
You may use the IMAP Settings website to know the actual IMAP details of your New Outlook configured account.
Finally, click on the Next button to upload EML files to New Outlook.

4 Stage: Use the Outlook.com Option to Import EML to Outlook Web

Choose the Outlook.com saving option from the drop-down menu.
Next, enter your Outlook web account email address and click the Next
Now, validate your Outlook web account credentials using Microsoft OAuth.
Finally, wait for the EML to Outlook web import process to complete.

5 Stage: Convert EML to OLM to Import EML to Mac Outlook

Choose the saving option as OLM from the saving options.
Next, choose the destination path to store the output data.
After that, click on convert to start the conversion process.
Now, run Mac Outlook on your Mac device & go to the Tools menu from the ribbon.
Next, click on the Import option > Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm).
Now, go to the destination path selected in step 3 and click the Import button.
Finally, wait for the import process to complete.

Pros:

Bulk import EML files into Outlook in one go without any practical file size limitations in the paid version.
Preserves folder hierarchy, attachments, To, From, BCC, subject, etc EML data accurately after the import process.
Allows to selectively upload of specific EML files into Outlook from large batches, based on date range, sender’s/receiver’s email address filter settings.
Provide deep folder search functionality to add all scattered EML files from the multi-level nested folders for bulk import.
Secure to download software with a virus scan report tested against 92 antivirus engines.

Cons:

Paid software allows importing 25 EML files into Outlook in the free trial version.
Requires downloading the BitRecover software on your Mac or Windows system.

Free Manual Methods Vs All-in-One EML to Outlook Import Wizard

Criteria	Method 1	Method 2	Method 3	Method 4
Price	Free	Free	Free	Paid
Outlook Version Supported for importing EML	Outlook Classic only	New Outlook only	Outlook Web only	Supports all New, Web, and Classic Outlook
Operating System Supported	Windows	Windows	Windows	Both Mac and Windows
Bulk Import Capability	Fails or freezes beyond 100 EML files	Not supported	Can import large batches	Designed especially for bulk importing
Number or File Size Limitations	Not specific documentation, but tested for performance with a large number of files	Limited to importing EML files of 14 MB from a single folder at a time.	No practical limitation	No limitation
Preserve Folder Hierarchy	No	No	No	Yes
Preserve Formatting, attachments, & headers	Inconsistent	Inconsistent	Inconsistent	Accurate
Import EML from nested Folders simultaneously	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported	Supported
Technical Knowledge	Not Required	Required	Required	Not Required
Easy to Use	Easy	Easy	Difficult for a non-technical user	Very Easy

Conclusion

To sum up the above blog on the topic of how to import EML to Outlook of any version on Mac & Windows. We have discussed both the manual and the automated techniques. Each of the manual have its own limitations and challenges.

Therefore, if you are trying to transfer a few EML files into Outlook and do not require formatting, attachment and header preservation, you may go with the manual approach. For bulk importing and accurate results for any Outlook version on both Mac and Windows dedicated EML to Outlook import wizard is suggested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why do I sometimes see EML files as attachments when I drag and drop them into Outlook Classic?

Ans: This common problem happens when you directly drag and drop EML files into Classic Outlook inbox message or in the new email compose section. To avoid this problem, create a new folder or follow the exact steps as described in Method 1, the drag and drop technique.

Q2. Why can’t I see the Import option under the gear icon to upload EML to New Outlook?

Ans: New Outlook for Windows runs under the Microsoft internal codename Project Monarch. This actual application is continuously under development and roll out phase for new features. If you can’t see the import option, then there is a chance that you are not using the latest version of New Outlook. It is suggested to update New Outlook for Windows to get the feature available on your device.

Q3. How to send EML files in Outlook?

Ans: To send EML files in Outlook, launch your Outlook environment, click new message > look for the Attach files option and add the EML file as an attachment. By following these steps, you may easily send EML as an attachment in Outlook.

Q4. Unable to preview EML files in Outlook properly after following the drag and drop method?

Ans: It is another major challenge in the manual method to import EML files into Classic Outlook. The improper preview of drag-and-dropped EML files is generally due to special properties of EML files that cannot be handled by the Outlook Classic environment. To fix this issue, the bulk EML to Outlook wizard is suggested.