How to Convert EML Files to PST Format for Outlook All Versions

Posted by Mack John on May 26th, 2021

Are you looking to convert EML files to PST format? Are you searching for methods for the conversion of EML files into PST format?

If yes, then you have landed on the right page!!

EML file is an individual email message file format that stores information of a single email file. The information includes email content, sender’s name, receiver’s name, date of the message, etc. The size of the EML format is small as it stores a single email file.

PST refers to Personal Storage Table which is a format of Outlook data file. It stores the complete information of the mailbox. A single PST file is equivalent to hundreds of EML files. That’s why many people prefer to store their email files in PST format.

Why Convert EML Files into PST Format?

There are plenty of reasons for converting EML files into PST format. Some of the relevant reasons are given as below:

• EML files are vulnerable to corruption. They can get easily corrupted as compared to other file formats. This is one of the reasons due to which people prefer to export EML files into PST format so as to prevent corruption.
• In order to access EML files, you require to install a specific email application that supports this format. However, PST file format is accessible in any version of Outlook.
• EML stores a single email file. When the user saves the entire mailbox of EML files then it takes a lot of space. However, PST stores a number of EML files and cover minimal space.

Methods to Export EML files into PST format

There are majorly two methods to convert EML files into PST format:

1. Convert EML to PST Using Software Automatically
2. Convert EML Files to PST Manually for Free

Method 1: - Convert EML to PST Format Automatically

The automated method uses SysTools EML to PST Converter tool is professional, trusted, and reliable for technical and non-technical users.

The following are the steps to convert EML to PST using the EML to PST Converter tool:

Steps to Convert EML Files to PST Format

• Download, Install and Launch the SysTools EML to PST Converter Tool.
• Choose the EML files folder from the left pane of the software window. The email file can be seen in multiple views like Normal Mail View, Hex, Properties, and Message header, MIME, HTML, RTF, and Attachments.
• You can select the particular emails and then export them by clicking on ‘Export Selected’ or right-click on selected emails and click on the ‘Export’ button. For Bulk Conversion, you may click on the ‘Export’ button located in the menu bar.
• In the ‘Export Option’ window, choose ‘PST’ format as an option and then, click on ‘Advanced Settings’.
• You can check on ‘PST Split Option’ and set the split option according to a specific size. Whereas ‘Date Filter Option’ allows to set the date with ‘from date’ and ‘to date. Then, click on the ‘Save’ button.
• Browse the location where the resultant PST files can be stored. You can select ‘Make New Folder or choose the existing folder to save resultant PST files. Then, click on the OK button. Mark check on ‘Create PST for Each Folder’ to create PST files for each selected folder and then click on the ‘Export’ button.
• The export process would begin now. Once the export process is completed then the message appears as ‘Export process completed successfully. Then, click on the OK button.

Manual Method to Convert EML to PST Format

The manual method is one that does not require any third-party application to execute its functions. It is specific to the user itself.

There are three manual methods that you will study one by one in the subsequent paragraphs.

Method 2: Using Windows Live Mail and Microsoft Outlook

Firstly you need to import the EML files into Windows Live Mail using the following steps:

1. Open Windows Live Mail.
2. Select ‘File’ and choose ‘Import Messages’ from the menu.
3. Select ‘Windows Live Mail’ from the list and then click on the ‘Next’ button.
4. Click ‘Browse’ to upload the folder containing EML files and then click on the ‘Next’ button.
5. Select the folder which you want to import and then click on ‘Next’ to perform the import.

In this manner, you can import the EML files into Windows Live Mail.

Steps to convert EML files into PST format using Windows Live Mail:

1. In Windows Live Mail, click on the ‘File’ button in the menu bar.
2. Select the ‘Export Email’ option and then choose ‘Email Messages’.
3. Choose ‘Microsoft Exchange’ and then click on ‘Next’.
4. A new window will pop up which gives a message that all emails will export to Microsoft Outlook and then click on the ‘OK’ button.
5. Select the emails or complete mailbox emails and then click on the ‘OK’ button.
6. Once, ‘OK’ button has been clicked then the export process will begin. After the export process is completed then a wizard will appear where you need to click on the ‘Finish’ button.

Limitations of the Manual Method to Convert EML to PST

• It is complicated and difficult for naïve users
• The manual steps are time-consuming and only the limited email files are exported
• There is a high risk of data corruption and data loss during the export process
• The files structure and folders hierarchy may get affected

Final Thoughts

In this blog, a brief on EML, PST, the need to convert EML to PST, and the different methods have been explained. There are two methods – Manual Method and Automated Method.

The manual method is not suitable due to certain limitations whereas the automated method ‘SysTools EML Converter’ provides flawless results with complete data export into PST format.