How to Convert Outlook OLM Emails to MSG File Format?

  Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke   
Published: June 21st, 2025 • 7 Min Read

Many users switch from Mac to Windows system or work across both and may have experienced challenges accessing Mac Outlook emails in Windows Outlook. Fortunately, we have a solution, both manual and advanced to help you find the best approach as per your requirements.

What is OLM File and MSG File Format?

OLM Format: The OLM (Outlook for Mac) format is used to store mailbox data in Outlook for Mac. It stores emails, contacts, calendars, and other attributes into a single file.

MSG Format: MSG files are individual email messages specific to Microsoft Outlook for Windows. It contains emails, attachments, and metadata of a single email message.

Reasons to Convert OLM to MSG

Let’s discover the various factors for which people convert Mac Outlook OLM files to MSG file format.

  • Many users transition from Mac to Windows for which they need to migrate their Mac OLM data to Windows Outlook and convert their OLM files to MSG format.
  • OLM files may contain a large amount of email data, whereas MSG files contain a single email message, which helps people organize and manage email data separately and efficiently.
  • Single MSG file is easy to use, share and convert as compared to OLM files which contain emails in bulk.
  • Users with both Mac and Windows system may need to have cross-platform accessibility of their OLM files for which they convert OLM to MSG.
  • MSG files contain detailed data like sender and receiver details, subject and other metadata which is useful in many cases like legal and auditing purposes.

Convert OLM to MSG Manually

Given below is the comprehensive guide to convert OLM files to MSG. The complete method is divided into four steps as follows:

Step 1: Configure Email Account on Outlook for Mac

  1. Firstly, launch Outlook for Mac on your system.
  2. Click on “Outlook” in the top menu bar and select “Preferences.”
  3. In the Preferences window, click on “Accounts.”
  4. Click the “+” button at the bottom-left corner to add a new account.
  5. Choose “Email” as the account type.
  6. Enter your email address and password, then click “Add Account.”
  7. Outlook will automatically configure the account settings and set up the email account.

Step 2: Import OLM File into Outlook for Mac (Configured Account)

  1. Firstly, in Outlook for Mac, click on “File” in the top menu bar.
  2. Next, select “Import.
  3. Now, choose “Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm)” and click “Next.”
  4. Then, locate and select the OLM file you want to import.
  5. Now, choose the data you want to import, such as emails, contacts, and calendar items. Click “Continue.”
  6. Further, select the destination folders for the imported data. Click “Import” to start the process.

Step 3: Configure the Same Email Account in Outlook for Windows

  1. Firstly, on a Windows system download and launch Outlook.
  2. Next, click on “File” in the top menu bar and select “Add Account.”
  3. Then, enter your email address and password, then click “Connect.”
  4. Now, Outlook will automatically configure the account settings and set up the email account.

Step 4: Convert OLM Data to MSG Using Outlook for Windows

  1. In Outlook for Windows, navigate to the folder containing the imported OLM data.
  2. Next, select the email messages you want to convert to MSG format.
  3. Finally, Drag and drop the selected emails into a local folder or your desktop. Outlook will automatically create MSG files from these emails.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method

  • As you see, the manual method is time-taking and consists of complex steps which can make the entire conversion process lengthy and tedious.
  • Manual method requires dependency on both Mac Outlook and Windows Outlook to convert from OLM to MSG.
  • The manual method doesn’t support batch conversion option. In such cases users need to convert one OLM file at once. It can take long hours or days to convert OLM to MSG in case of large volumes of data.
  • There is a high-risk involved in losing data as the manual method only converts emails and doesn’t convert contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, etc.
  • Manual method doesn’t guarantee to preserve the data integrity and may disrupt the email data during or post the conversion process.
  • Manual method is not ideal for large organisations or businesses with large mailboxes as it doesn’t support bulk conversion.

Better Alternative: Use OLM to MSG Converter Tool

According to the steps mentioned above and their several drawbacks, we recommend our users with the best and reliable source to convert OLM to MSG. The BitRecover OLM Converter Wizard exports complete data, saves time, guarantees no errors and commits to provide accurate results. Apart from MSG, the software provides more than 14 saving options like to convert OLM to PST, EML, HTML, and many more. The OLM to MSG converter provides rapid results with a few quick and easy steps, making it convenient for all kinds of users.

Quick Steps to Convert OLM to MSG:

  1. Firstly, download and launch the OLM to MSG converter tool on your PC.

    tool to convert OLM to MSG files

  2. Next, it will provide you with a dual option- Select Files or Select Folders, once selected, click the Next button.

    Select files

  3. Then, select the needful OLM files you need to convert to MSG file format.

    specific folders

  4. Now, choose the MSG saving format from the list of multiple options.saving format
  5. Finally, choose the desired destination path and click the Convert button to convert OLM to MSG. 
    how to convert olm to msg

Unique Features of OLM to MSG Converter

  • The tools offer several import and saving format options other than MSG, like import OLM to Gmail, or convert OLM to PDF, CSV, EML, etc. as per user’s requirement.
  • The tool efficiently converts all the OLM database to MSG including attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, and other metadata without losing any data.
  • The tool features advanced search and filter options which helps users to convert only required data, preventing any unwanted conversion.
  • The OLM to MSG converter also offers an individual option to convert only calendars and contacts so users don’t have to convert complete data.
  • One of its exclusive features also includes multiple file naming options, so people can use a systematised way to manage large volumes of data.
  • The versatile software also provides various language options so it gets convenient to run for people from different nationalities.
  • OLM to MSG converter is a powerful solution, also capable of converting damaged or corrupted OLM files to MSG and other formats as well.
  • The trusted software exhibits the quality of preserving every element of email data as original without disturbing anything.
  • The respective application is designed for all kinds of users, technical or non-technical. It has a user-friendly interface and easy to navigate features.

Concluding Words 

As we conclude, we hope our users have gained clarity on both the methods, manual and automated software. While the manual method is free of cost, it comes with various challenges including the risk of data loss. We recommend our users to experience the effortless and rapid solution, especially for bulk conversion as it provides accurate results as per user’s requirement in no time.

FAQ’s – Convert OLM to MSG File

  • Q: How many items can I migrate using this OLM to MSG toolkit during the trial version?

    Ans– The trial edition of the software will allow users to export only the first 25 emails from each folder. In case you want to transfer unlimited data, then it is important that you first activate the application by purchasing the appropriate license.

  • Q: Is it necessary to install third-party applications for the functionality of this conversion tool to convert OLM file to MSG files?

    Ans– A: No, the utility is completely independent to perform its work without requiring any third-party application.

  • Q: Does this utility preserve the folder hierarchy of my mailboxes during the mail conversion into the MSG items?

    Ans– A: Yes, the software will provide the Save to default folders option used to maintain the hierarchy of internal mailbox folders during the migration.