Convert Windows Live Mail to PST Quickly Without WLM

  Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke   
Published: September 20th, 2025 • 8 Min Read

Summary: If you are looking for the best and fastest way to convert windows live mail to PST, then you are on the right page. Here we will learn to migrate Windows live mail to Outlook.

Windows Live Mail was once the most used email client by Microsoft; however, it was discontinued in 2017, which left millions of users in search of a reliable and safer alternative. After that, the most used and trusted option is Outlook by Microsoft, which is safer and updated frequently. But still, many users look for a way to convert Windows Live Mail to PST because both email clients have different file formats. In this article, you will be learning to migrate Windows Live Mail to Outlook using various methods and learning about their advantages and limitations, which will help you decide the best way for you.

Quick Answer: How to Transfer Windows Live Mail to Outlook

There are two ways to convert Windows Live Mail to PST format: the first is a manual method via using email clients like Outlook or IMAP synchronization. No doubt the manual method is free, but it creates human errors, tends to lose or corrupt the data, and loses the original formatting. Another way is to simply use an automated software to migrate Windows Live Mail to Outlook in bulk without data loss. The manual way is not recommended; it should be used at your own risk. Let’s dive deep into the topic to learn briefly about the methods to export Windows Live Mail to PST.

How to Migrate from Windows Live Mail to Outlook? Methods Explained

Manual and automated ways are described below. Read the step-by-step guide to convert Windows Live Mail to PST.

Method 1: Transfer Windows Live Mail to Outlook Manually

Option A- Export Windows Live Mail to PST Using Outlook Email Client

  1. Firstly, open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Select the File from the tab > Export > Next.
  3. Now, choose Microsoft Exchange as the format and then click the Next button.
  4. Then, select the folders that you wish to export and finish the exporting process.
  5. Now, go to Outlook and choose File > Open & Export > Microsoft Exchange.
  6. After this, browse and select the EML file that you exported from Windows Live Mail.
  7. Import your file to complete the procedure.

Note: This method can only be used when you have both Windows Live Mail and Microsoft Outlook installed on the same system.

Option B- Convert Windows Live Mail to PST Using IMAP Synchronization

  1. Firstly, open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Now, add an email account using IMAP settings.
  3. Move emails from your Windows Live Mail folders to an IMAP account.
  4. Then, open Outlook.
  5. Add the same IMAP account that you added in Windows Live Mail.
  6. Now, those emails will sync with Outlook.

Note: However, most of the articles state this method, but it is not supported by the new mail servers. You cannot use IMAP to convert Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST, as Windows Live Mail was discontinued in 2017, and it will not sync with modern servers anymore. 

Method 2- Smart Solution to Migrate Windows Live Mail to Outlook

Here comes the most reliable way to convert Windows Live Mail to PST. The previous version seems tough when you are unaware of the right approach. By using BitRecover Windows Live Mail Converter software, one can efficiently import all data to another computer. This tool is designed so well that any type of user can use it freely without any technical knowledge. Moreover, once you have converted email messages from Windows Live Mail to Outlook, you can import any version of MS Outlook, like 2021, and other previous versions using this professional Windows Live Mail to Outlook converter.

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The trial version of the Windows Live Mail to PST Converter tool will allow users to export the first 25 emails from each folder for free. The users can select all emails and other items, including Contacts, directly from the application panel.

Working Steps to Convert Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST

  1. Firstly, install and run the professional tool.
    Software to convert Windows Live Mail to PST
  2. The tool loads the data directly from the default storage location when you have not installed WLM, or you can simply click on the “select folders” or “select files” options.
     Convert Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST using dual option
  3. Now, select your file format as PST to export Windows Live Mail to Outlook.
    Select PST file format
  4. You can also choose your destination path and required file naming option for better organization.
    destination location
  5. Lastly, hit the convert button to finally convert Windows Live Mail to Outlook.Final migrate Windows live mail to Outlook

As we can easily conclude from above, the working of this incredible export Windows Live Mail to Outlook tool is very easy and simplified. Any non-technical user can successfully convert the data into PST format quickly and instantly with the help of this software.

Why not Convert Windows Live Mail to PST Manually? Major Limitations

  • The manual process can be slow and time-consuming as it requires syncing all the emails to the servers from WLM and downloading them again into Outlook. Large data files may take days and heavily depend on the speed of the internet.
  • Most IMAP accounts have storage limitations like the Gmail free plan. If your WLM contains large data files, it may cause data corruption or quota exceeding errors and can stop to migrate Windows Live Mail to Outlook mid-way.
  • It requires technical knowledge to manually export Windows Live Mail to Outlook. Exporting and importing from Windows Live Mail to Outlook and using IMAP synchronization without technical knowledge may lead to huge chaos, human errors, data corruption, and permanent data loss.
  • As already discussed earlier, this method has a dependency on Windows Live Mail installation and Outlook to convert Windows Live Mail to Outlook. And most of the IMAP servers have not been supporting outdated apps like WLM.

Prime Features of Windows Live Mail to Outlook Converter

  • The software can easily load the Windows Mail data directly from the storage location, and users can also upload the Windows Mail data by using the “Add Files” and “Add Folders” options. You do not need to install Windows Live Mail for conversion.
  • Also, the Windows Live Mail to Outlook transfer tool can easily convert the data in bulk with attachments. There are no file size restrictions, and it saves a lot of time.
  • This software allows you to convert Windows Live Mail to PST with all the important elements like emails, contacts, calendars, attachments, sender and recipient information, HTML links, email text formatting, date and time, folders and subfolders, etc.
  • This expert solution has a UI/UX interface that is easy to use for even non-technical users. The user-friendly interface allows users to easily migrate Windows Live Mail to Outlook in just a few clicks.
  • The Windows Live Mail to Outlook transfer tool allows saving converted email messages in several layouts. File naming options assist in organizing single email or document types by date, time, email, topic, etc.
  • The Windows Live Mail to Outlook Tool maintains the folder and subfolder structure after converting Windows Mail. Users will be able to quickly locate their database in the original view and folder styles. Although it’s a common one, it’s an essential one.
  • This expert software preserves your original data structure and original formatting. This secure tool gives you 100% data security and integrity while keeping the original hierarchy, metadata, and properties intact.

The Verge

In this article, we discussed one of the best solutions to convert Windows Live Mail to PST for modern & previous versions. The utility saves a lot of time when migrating from emails, contacts, and calendars. Analyzing and learning about both manual and automated approaches helps you to understand the difference and pros & cons of both methods. We can conclude by saying that we learned about how to migrate from Windows Live Mail to Outlook easily using different ways, which will help you to decide the best one for your crucial data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques1: Is it Possible to Import Contacts from Windows Live Mail to Outlook 2021?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to Export Windows Live Mail Contacts to Outlook 2021.

Ques2: Can I install the application on the Windows 10 Operating System?
Ans: Yes, the solution explained can be done in all versions of the Windows operating system, including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and other versions.

Ques3: Is the freeway to transfer emails from Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST secure?
Ans: No, this software is not free, but the Windows Live Mail to PST converter provides a free version to utilize and see how the software works.


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