Do you want to import EML files to Outlook? This guide covers the manual route and a safe tool route to import EML to Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019. Use the method that fits your file count and Outlook version.

EML files store one email per file with full body, headers, attachments and links. Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail and Sea Monkey all save mail as EML.

Microsoft Outlook uses the PST format. So a direct drop-in of EML files into Outlook is not always clean. This page shows the right way to import EML files into Outlook with all data intact.

Table of Content Hide
  1. How to Import EML to Outlook
  2. Import EML in Outlook Manually
  3. How to Import EML Files into Outlook Step by Step
  4. Import EML to Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016
  5. Add, Open and Send EML Files in Outlook
  6. Bulk Import EML Files to Outlook with PCDOTS
  7. Features of the EML to Outlook Import Tool
  8. Conclusion
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

How to Import EML to Outlook

There are two clean ways to import EML to Outlook. The manual way uses drag and drop with Windows Live Mail or another EML client. The tool way uses PCDOTS Email Converter to push EML straight into a PST file.

Pick the manual route for a few files. Pick the tool route for bulk import of EML files into Outlook with folder structure intact.

Import EML in Outlook Manually

You can import EML in Outlook through Windows Live Mail. The flow keeps mail dates and read or unread states.

  • Open Windows Live Mail on the same computer.
  • Drag the EML files into a Windows Live Mail folder.
  • Click the File menu and pick Export Email then Email messages.
  • Choose Microsoft Exchange and click Next.
  • Select All folders or specific folders and click OK.
  • Wait for the export to finish so EML import to Outlook completes.

This route works but needs Windows Live Mail installed. On newer Windows builds the app is missing. In that case use the tool method below.

How to Import EML Files into Outlook Step by Step

Below is a clear step by step for users who want a simple path. The steps work for one EML file or for a batch of EML files.

  • Save all EML files in one folder on the desktop.
  • Open Outlook and pick the target mailbox or PST.
  • Drag a single EML into the Outlook Inbox to test the link.
  • For bulk import open PCDOTS Email Converter on the same PC.
  • Load the EML folder, pick PST as the export format and click Save.
  • Open the new PST in Outlook through File then Open and Export.

Import EML to Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016

The EML to Outlook import flow is the same across Outlook versions. Only the menu paths differ.

Outlook 2007: Use File then Import and Export. Pick Import from another program. Choose Personal Folder File (.pst) and load the PST built from EML.

Outlook 2010 and 2013: Click File then Open then Import. Pick Import from another program or file. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst).

Outlook 2016 and 2019: Click File then Open and Export then Import or Export. Pick Import from another program or file and select Outlook Data File (.pst).

For each version, load the PST you built from EML and let Outlook show the folders. This route works for users who search how to import EML files into Outlook 2016 or eml outlook 2007.

Add, Open and Send EML Files in Outlook

You can also add a single EML file to Outlook by double click. Windows opens the EML inside Outlook if Outlook is the default mail handler.

  • Right click the EML file in File Explorer.
  • Pick Open with and choose Outlook from the list.
  • Outlook shows the EML as a read only message.
  • To send the EML as a new message click Forward inside Outlook.
  • Edit the To field and click Send.

You can also save an Outlook message as EML. Open the message, click File then Save As and pick the .eml type. This is useful when you want to download an EML file from Outlook.

Bulk Import EML Files to Outlook with PCDOTS

PCDOTS Email Converter is built for bulk EML to Outlook import. It reads the EML folder and writes a clean PST that Outlook opens with one click.

Note on free or online options: free web tools can leak email content and often break attachments. We recommend a trusted desktop option like PCDOTS for safe import of EML files to Outlook.

  • Open PCDOTS Email Converter and click the Open menu.
    open files in converter
  • Pick Email Data Files then EML and load the folder.
    upload eml data
  • Browse and import EML files into the software panel.
    select required eml files to convert into outlook
  • Open the Export menu and select PST as the file format.
    import eml files to outlook
  • Pick a destination folder and click the Save button.
    select destination
  • Open the saved PST file in Outlook to view the imported mail.
    open output folder

Features of the EML to Outlook Import Tool

  1. Bulk EML Import: The tool imports unlimited EML files to Outlook in a single run. There is no file size cap.
  2. Accuracy: Every EML reaches Outlook with the original body, attachments, sender and date. Layout stays intact.
  3. Simple Interface: Clean panels make it easy for new users to import EML files into Outlook without any guide.
  4. Folder Structure: The tool keeps the EML folder hierarchy in the new PST so Outlook shows the same view.
  5. Supports All Windows Versions: Works on Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7 for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Conclusion

This guide showed how to import EML files to Outlook through the manual route and the safe tool route. Use the manual path with Windows Live Mail for small batches. Use PCDOTS Email Converter for bulk import of EML files to Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.

The tool keeps folder structure, attachments and dates intact. It is the best fit for users who search eml to outlook transfer or import eml files into outlook in one click.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question) Is it possible to import bulk EML files to Outlook?

Yes. PCDOTS Email Converter imports unlimited EML files to Outlook in one run with no size cap.

Question) Can I use the software on Mac OS?

No. The desktop tool runs on Windows only. Use a Windows PC to import EML files to Outlook.

Question) How do I import EML files into Outlook 2007?

Run the EML to Outlook Import Tool. Load the EML files. Pick Export then PST. Open the new PST in Outlook 2007 through File then Import and Export.

Question) Can I import EML files into Outlook 2016 the same way?

Yes. Build a PST from EML using the tool. Then open Outlook 2016 and use File then Open and Export then Import or Export to load the PST.

Question) How to send an EML file from Outlook?

Open the EML in Outlook by double click. Click Forward, add the To address and click Send.

Question) Can I open EML files in Outlook without a tool?

You can double click a single EML if Outlook is the default mail app. For bulk EML import use PCDOTS Email Converter to build a clean PST first.