PCDOTS Team ~ Published: 12-Aug-2025 ~ MSG ~ 6 Minutes Reading

Import MSG to Exchange Server – Quick & Safe Methods

MSG files are email files created by Microsoft Outlook to store a single message along with its attachments and properties. Many individuals and corporate organizations keep crucial communications in MSG format for backup and easy sharing. However, there comes a time, when you need to import these MSG files into Exchange server for better accessibility and management.

In this article, we’ll guide you through primary methods to import MSG to Exchange server. We’ll discuss why both manual and automated methods in addition to why importing MSG files to Exchange online is beneficial. So, continue reading on for detailed information.

Why Import MSG Files into Exchange Server?

Importing Outlook MSG into Exchange online offers several advantages:

Flexible Data Access: All the users connected to the Exchange server mailbox can access emails from any location without depending on a specific system.
Better Data Security: Exchange server offers data loss prevention, automatic backups and encryption. This will provide extra security to your MSG files as compared to keeping them locally.
Collaboration Advantage: With Exchange server, several team members can simultaneously work with shared mailboxes, calendars and contacts in real time.
Easy Backups: In case you accidentally delete critical email, Exchange offers the options to retrieve them backup. Exchange server maintains server-side backup and retention policies.

Methods to Import MSG to Exchange Server

There’s no direct or drag and drop methods to import MSG files to Exchange online. To achieve this data migration, you need to use a workaround. Below, you may find the most effective methods.

Method 1: Using Outlook with Exchange Connection

If your Outlook is configured with the Exchange account, you may manually transfer MSG files into Exchange mailbox.

Start MS Outlook and click the File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings.
In the Email tab, ensure if your Exchange account is listed and displays the status as Connected or Online.
If it is not connected, navigate to New, choose Microsoft Exchange, and enter your email credentials to set it up.
Outlook will download your mailbox and sync folders from the Exchange account.
Next, browse and open the MSG files folder on your computer.
In Outlook, select the Exchange mailbox where you want to keep the MSG files.
Select one or multiple MSG files and drag & drop them into the selected folder.
Once you have moved your MSG files, Outlook will start syncing them with Exchange server
After syncing, you can log in to your Exchange account, and view the imported MSG files.

Limitation of the Method

Completely dependent on Outlook installation with Exchange server connection
It is time consuming and not suitable for bulk imports.
Requires technical knowledge from the users.

If this method doesn’t match your preference and you require a more straightforward method to import MSg to Exchange server, you’ll find it below.

Method 2: Using PowerShell

To import MSG files into Exchange online using PowerShell, you must have administrative access. With PowerShell cmdlets, you can import Outlook MSG files, after converting them to PST, into Exchange.

Convert MSG files to PST (You can use the best PCDOTS software)
Use the New-MailboxImportRequest cmdlet to import PST into the target mailbox.
Verify the import process via Get-MailboxImportRequest.

Limitation of the Method

It requires you to have technical knowledge and admin permission
It needs you to convert MSG into a compatible format like PST, which is not convenient.

If you find this method unsuitable as well, we recommend you to go through the professional method. The below solution overcomes all the limitations of the manual methods and lets you easily move MSG files to Exchange online.

Method 3: Professional Method to Import MSG to Exchange Server

Save yourself from the time-consuming and technical multi-steps manual process and try PCDOTS MSG Converter Software now! This software directly allows you to import MSG files to Exchange online without Outlook or using PowerShell. This software is user-friendly and is capable of importing hundreds and thousands of MSG files to Exchange mailbox directly without any performance issue.

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In comparison to the manual methods, this software brings many benefits. It is integrated with multiple advanced tools to let you achieve migration efficiently and effectively.

Benefits of Using Professional Tool

It allows you to batch import MSG files to Exchange server in a single operation.
It does not require you to configure the Outlook account on your computer.
Directly move MSG files into Microsoft Exchange server without additional email client.
Support selective conversion: Convert from specific time frame, date, headers and subject.
Maintains email structure, attachments, contacts and calendars during migration.
Automatically detect and import damaged and inaccessible MSG files to Exchange server.

Steps to Transfer MSG Files into Exchange Online with Pro Software

Download, install and start the PCDOTS software on your Windows computer.
Click the Open menu and go to Email Data Files >> MSG Files >> Choose Files/Choose Folders.
Now, browse to the location of your MSG files, select and import them into the software.
Once imported, they will be visible on the software’s left panel.
Now, click the Export menu and select IMAP from the drop-down menu.
Enter your Exchange server credentials and other details.
Finally, click the save button to start the migration.

The software will only take a few moments, once done you’ll be notified. You can then login to the Exchange account and verify the imported files. As clearly seen, the software completes your job more efficiently than manual methods. You can download the software from the link above and use it for free at first.

In Conclusion

Moving MSG files to Exchange server enhances data security, accessibility and management. While for small imports, manual methods are suitable, for large imported professional software is more appropriate. Manual methods are highly technical and require you to use either PowerShell or setup with the Outlook account. On the other hand, professional PCDOTS software is completely standalone and allows you to import MSG to Exchange server without any support. The software comes in a free version that you can download and use for try and testing purposes.