Convert PST File to EML: Best Methods for Outlook Users in 2026

Understanding the Key Differences Between PST and EML Files?

Before we start to convert Outlook PST data files to EML, it’s good to know the differences between both file formats. Below are some points that explain them properly.

• PST File:

PST stands for “Personal Storage Table.” It’s a type of file format used by Microsoft Outlook to store calendars, events, contacts, email messages, etc. For a better understanding of PST files. We need to know how PST files are created.

• Firstly, when users sign in to Outlook, it instantly creates a local copy.
• This local copy stores user information and is kept on their system.
• It allows users to access their previously downloaded or synced emails.
• Users can see their calendar and contact information, even if they are offline.
• A PST file relies on the Post Office Protocol account to download messages from the server.
• EML File:

The EML file stands for “Email Message” and is also a file format. That’s used by many popular email clients, such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Windows Live Mail, etc. In the points below, we will learn more about EML file formats.

• An EML file consists of a sender, recipient, message, and attachments such as files and images.
• In an EML file, the original email content is well preserved.
• They are stored in plain text format.
• EML files are just saved email messages.

Why Do We Need To Convert PST File to EML?

There are several reasons why users may need to convert their PST files into EML

1. Performance Issues: When users perform large-scale conversion, then their large PST files can cause performance issues during the process. As a result, Outlook will take a long time to start or lag while searching or loading files.
2. Technical Issues with Outlook: Some other technical issues users might encounter in Outlook during daily work are as follows:
• Failure to send or receive new emails.
• Account logging issues or cross-device data sync problems.
• Repetitive crashing when opening the Outlook application.
• Unable to load PST files in Outlook.
3. Organizational Migrations: Organizations sometimes change their email client for several reasons, including policy changes, budget decisions, etc. In such scenarios, admins simply need a stable email client to save Outlook PST Emails as EML.
4. Ease of accessing individual messages: In EML file formats, each email is stored separately in individual files. Also, many professional tools can directly read EML files. Therefore, it becomes easier to back up, share, or store particular messages for different purposes without needing Outlook.

How do we convert Outlook PST to EML?

From the above sections, we know about PST and EML files and why we need to convert them. Therefore, we will learn different methods to convert PST file to EML.

1. By the Native Method.
2. With the help of a Professional Tool.

Conversion through the Native Method

The native method is a practical choice if you want to convert fewer files. There are 2 native methods to convert PST to EML.

1. Drag and Drop through Outlook
2. Through the Mozilla Thunderbird email client

1. Drag and Drop through Outlook

Below are the steps that guide you through conversion in Microsoft Outlook.

1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your system.
2. Navigate to File → Open & Export → Open Output Data File.
3. Browse to your PST file and select it.
4. Then, choose the destination folder; after that, the import will start.
5. Now, minimize Outlook and choose the desired mailbox.
6. Select the desired mail folder and drag it to the desktop.

2. Through the Mozilla Thunderbird Email Client.

Users who don’t have Outlook installed on their system can follow another method that requires Thunderbird. Follow the points below to convert PST file to EML.

Phase 1. Import the PST file.

1. Open the Thunderbird email client.
2. Go to → Menu in the top-left corner.
3. Select Tools, then click Import.
4. Navigate to Tools, then click on Import.
5. Select the desired mailboxes and click Continue.
6. Then, click Start Import, and click Finish.

Phase 2. Export the EML file.

1. Open the desired mailboxes from the imported PST file.
2. Now, right-click that mailbox and click Save As.
3. At last, set the destination path and click Save.

The file will be automatically saved as EML upon reaching the destination folder.

Limitations of the Native Method.

Both native methods can convert a PST file into individual EML files. But there are several limitations that are encountered.

1. Only limited to a smaller number of files.
2. Consumes a lot of time and energy.
3. No preservation of email content such as headers, etc.
4. Requires installation of Microsoft Outlook on your system.

Conversion through a Professional Tool

The native method is not a suitable choice to convert Outlook PST to EML in bulk. Native methods don’t maintain folder structure, preserve email messages, etc. If you need to convert a PST file to EML in bulk, the MSOutlookHelp PST Converter is a recommended choice. It supports both conversion from PST to other file formats and direct migration from one email client to another. It supports the conversion of all PST file content, such as calendars, contacts, etc., while preserving its content.

Some Features of the Tool

There are lots of features that are provided to convert PST to EML easily.

• Search Filter: You can search through folders by “Search folders” and mailboxes by “Advanced search” options.
• Preview of Files: After selecting PST files, you can preview each mailbox by double-clicking on it.
• Export options: You get options to choose from “Export to File Format” or “Export to email client.”
• Additional features: Users can set custom folder names, choose a destination folder, skip existing imports, etc.
• Date range filter: If you want to select specific folders, you can select a “Start date” and “End date.” To include files in that range only.

Steps to convert PST file to EML

To save Outlook PST emails as EML, follow the given steps.

1. Download and install MSOutlookHelp PST Converter, then open it.
2. Choose from the Select Files or Select Folders option.
3. Browse to the PST file, open it, and click Proceed.
4. Check the required files, and then click Proceed.
5. Choose the EML file format from the dropdown and apply filters.
6. Browse to the output location and click Start Export.
7. Verify the output files to ensure safety.

Conclusion

PST files are used by Outlook, but most email clients use EML file formats. That’s why it becomes important to convert PST file to EML. The above-mentioned native methods are a good choice for a smaller number of folders. But for handling large numbers of folders, native methods are not a suitable choice, as they require a lot of effort. Therefore, the Outlook PST Converter is a recommended choice for bulk conversion while maintaining folder hierarchy and preserving emails.

Frequently Asked Questions