How to Import EML Files in Outlook: Step-by-Step Guide

Opening an EML file should be as easy as opening a document but for Microsoft Outlook users it is not the case. Understanding the process to import EML files in Outlook is important to prevent data loss when you move your data between different platforms such as Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail or Apple Mail. 

Microsoft Outlook has evolved over time and users today need to navigate between different versions and protocols. Here we will look at the roadmap for the steps that are needed to import EML files into Classic Outlook. Whether you are a non-technical user, an IT administrator or a business professional here you will get the right approach for email migration. If you want a professional tool to convert EML to PST files, then you can find out which is the best tool here.

Classic Outlook vs. New Outlook

The process for a desktop application from 2016 is different from the web-based New Outlook of 2026. You need to identify which version of Outlook you are using if you want to import EML files in Outlook.

Classic Outlook

Classic Outlook includes the 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and the desktop version of Microsoft 365. These are the desktop applications, meaning that they are on your hard drive and can interact with your local files. 

• Versions that support the EML file: The modern versions like Outlook 2016 and the ones after that, allow you to open or drag-and-drop the EML files.
• Versions with limitations: For the older versions like Outlook 2010 it is difficult to directly import the EML files and they treat these files as attachments rather than emails.

The New Outlook

In 2026 Microsoft made the New Outlook as their main email client for Windows 11 but it is important to note that the traditional import and export option is not available on the New Outlook. This version has a web-based framework so it does not have the same File menu as the older version.

How to Import EML Files to Classic Outlook

This is the most common way to import EML files in Outlook if you are using a desktop version. 

Method 1: Drag-and-Drop

The drag-and-drop method is the easiest way for non-technical users to import EML files to the Classic Outlook. Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Open your Classic Outlook application.
2. Create a new folder in your Inbox.
3. Open the folder on your computer where your EML files are stored.
4. Highlight the EML files and then drag and drop them into the new Outlook folder.

Method 2: The Windows Live Mail

You can import EML files to the Classic Outlook if you still have an older version of Outlook like the ones before 2017. 

1. Open Windows Live Mail and go to File > Export > Email Messages.
2. Select Microsoft Exchange as the format.
3. Follow the prompts to move your data into your Outlook profile.

Note: Windows Live Mail is only available on these versions: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 as it was discontinued in 2017.

How to Import EML Files into New Outlook

You must use the modern settings interface or manual interaction to import EML files into this since the New Outlook does not have a dedicated Import wizard in the File menu.

Method 1: The Settings Import

1. Open the New Outlook application.
2. Click the Settings icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to General > Import.
4. Select the Start Import option and locate the folder containing your EML files.

This version has a 14MB size limit per file and if your file exceeds this limit you will fail to import the files into the New Outlook.

Method 2: Drag and Drop to the Reading Pane

The process of dragging a file directly from your Windows folder to the reading pane of the New Outlook triggers an upload to Microsoft’s servers allowing you to import the files to Outlook Online.

How to Import EML Files into Outlook Web

In case you do not use an application, you need to use the Outlook web to import the files. This is an upload process because the browser cannot see your hard drive directly. Follow the steps mentioned below to import EML files in Outlook:

1. Log in to your account on Outlook web.
2. The best manual method is to create a new message and drag the EML file into the body of the draft. You can also use the Upload feature if your regional version supports the new Import settings under the General tab.
3. The file is made available when it is uploaded and connected to the cloud.

Users may face issues even when following the correct steps depending on the version of Outlook and file size.

Common Roadblocks While Importing EML files in Outlook

You may face the following errors while importing EML files in Outlook:

• Feature Not Supported: This happens in the New Outlook if the file header is damaged.
• Missing attachments: The manual attempts to import EML files sometimes strips large attachments due to security reasons.
• Frozen Screen: The browser sometimes crashes when importing EML files in Microsoft Outlook in bulk when using the drag-and-drop method.

Try to process small batches or use the Classic version of Outlook before connecting to the cloud if you want to successfully import files in Outlook. By first choosing to import EML files to Classic Outlook you can ensure that the files are indexed before they move to the New Outlook.

Summing-up

It has become complex to import EML in Outlook in the last decade due to the shift towards web-based software. Since the import and export option is not available in the New Outlook you need to stick to the Classic Outlook for best results. Following these manual steps will help you save your data without any external software whether you need to import EML files into the New Outlook or Classic Outlook.