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Written By Rohan Wiese
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Updated on May 12th, 2026
Best Ways to Open EML File in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, & 2013
In this era of digitalization, email transfer is the core of business communication across various businesses and organisations. Thus, it is observed that the most widely used platform to maintain proper communication is MS Outlook. Therefore, a large segment of users prefer to switch to Outlook to open their important EML files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2021, and 2010. This article covers various methods to open EML file in Outlook efficiently, and explains how to correctly use the Ayson EML Converter to keep confidential data safe throughout the process.
Why Need to Import EML to Outlook?
There are several reasons that compel users to read, view, or open EML files in the Microsoft Outlook Application. Some of the main commons are described below:
- Users of Outlook Express and Windows Mail switch to MS Outlook for better benefits.
- MS Outlook offers better security and is well-trusted by users to open EML files.
- Outlook users can better organize mailbox data items as per their needs.
- It offers multiple security options, like password protection on PST files and others.
- You can use the Outlook application on mobile, desktop, laptop, and other devices.
These are the basic advantages of selecting Outlook over other EML-supported email clients. Now, let’s move to the actual methods of migration that will give you a complete brief on opening an EML file in Outlook.
Best WorkFlows to Open EML File in Outlook
We want to clarify that all the methods explained here are supported by all versions of Outlook, like 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and others. So, if you follow the methods step by step, you can easily view the EML file in any Outlook version.
Method 1: Use Windows Live Mail (WLM) & MS Outlook
Windows Live Mail is discontinued, but still works on older systems if installed. Use only if WLM is already running on your PC.
- Open Outlook and Windows Live Mail together.
- In Windows Live Mail, go to the File Tab and click Export Email.
- Now, Click on Email Messages.
- Choose the Microsoft Exchange option and then click on Next.
- A dialog box appears: “This will export messages from Windows Live Mail to Outlook” >> OK.
- Select which folders to export: All Folders or Selected Folders, then click OK.
- Click Finish when complete. A confirmation message appears: “Your Messages were successfully exported.”
- Emails now appear in your Outlook inbox.
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Important Note: You can easily view and open the .eml file Outlook 2016. But before you initiate the above method, make sure that you have taken a backup of all emails because sometimes, you might lose all your emails due to an unexpected interruption. |
Method 2: Right-Click and Open With Outlook
This method is straightforward yet very effective when it comes to opening EML files in Outlook. But it will work efficiently only for up to 10 individual EML files.
- Navigate to the path where the EML file is.
- Right-click and select Open with, and then select Outlook.
- All your required emails will be opened instantly in Outlook.
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Limitation: This method is best suited for single-file migration and not for bulk migration. |
Method 3: Drag and Drop Method to Open an EML file in Outlook
- Start Outlook and create a new folder ( recommended for enterprises).
- Run File Explorer and navigate to the location of the required EML.
- Now, just drag and drop this file into Outlook to open it.
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Limitation: Slow for hundreds of files. One file at a time. Drag-and-drop carries the risk of data loss if interrupted mid-process. |
After following the above procedure, you can easily view and open EML in Outlook 2021. But there are certain drawbacks to using manual techniques.
Drawbacks of Manual Methods
- The manual method may result in loss of email content, formatting, or folder hierarchy.
- It may take significantly more time to open EML files manually via some methods.
- You may need to first acquire certain technical knowledge to open EML files in Outlook.
- The manual workflows do not support bulk migration.
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Important Note: In order to avoid all the above limitations and open EML data in Outlook within a few seconds, irrespective of the amount of data to be migrated. |
Method 4: Advanced Solution to Open EML File in Outlook
The Aryson EML File Converter is a prominent software that helps users to quickly open EML files in Outlook irrespective of their size. The user just has to convert the EML file to PST format in the preliminary stage. Once the conversion completes, import PST to Outlook to open it. Moreover, using the same software, IT experts can also import EML to Office 365, Gmail, Thunderbird, and other email clients. It efficiently overcomes the limitation of time consumption as it is quick and has the problem of data loss. There is no chance of losing data during conversion. Its interface is easily understandable and doesn’t need any technical expertise to operate.
Simple Steps to Open EML File in Outlook
Here are the Steps to open EML files in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and the versions below.
- Download, install, and run the Aryson EML Converter on your existing system.
- After that, click on Select Files/Folders to add the EML file >>Open.
- Then, preview the email details of the required emails to be moved >> Next.
- Select PST as the output format from the displayed dropdown list.
- Use the additional features of the software as per your needs.
- Specify the destination location to save the output files >> Convert.
Once you convert the EML to PST, import these PST files into Outlook.
Conclusion
As discussed above, users have a number of methods to open EML file in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2010. The choice of method is completely up to the user as the basic requirement of migration may vary user to user. For technical users with sufficient time span, the manual workflow may work best. Whereas, for the enterprises and technical experts, the advanced software makes the conversion way easier and a task of merely a few seconds. Now, it is your choice to opt for one of the above methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I open EML files in Outlook?
Ans- Yes, with the help of the Aryson EML Viewer Tool, users can efficiently view EML files in Outlook.
Q2. How to convert EML to Outlook format?
Ans- You can use the above advanced solution or manual methods. However, it is advised to opt for the automated software to convert multiple EML files to Outlook format.
About The Author:
Rohan Wiese is a Technical Writer at Aryson Technologies. He is an expert Email Forensic, Cloud Computing, and a passionate nerd with over 10 years of experience in technical content writing. He writes about Cloud Migration, Database Recovery, Email Backup, Windows, Mac, and Tech.
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