How To Open Eml File In Outlook : Import Eml Via Drag Drop

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PowerPoint’s Designer feature can automatically suggest professional slide layouts, but you must first enable it from the Design tab. If you’ve ever recieved an email attachment with a .eml extension and struggled to open it in Outlook, you’re not alone. This guide walks you through exactly how to open eml file in Outlook, covering multiple methods for different versions of the software.

EML files are standard email message formats used by many email clients, including Outlook Express, Windows Mail, and Thunderbird. They store the email’s content, attachments, and metadata. While Outlook can handle EML files, the process isn’t always intuitive. Let’s fix that.

How To Open Eml File In Outlook

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand that Outlook doesn’t have a direct “Open EML” button. Instead, you’ll need to use a workaround. The most reliable method involves dragging and dropping, but we’ll also cover alternatives for older versions.

Method 1: Drag And Drop The Eml File

This is the quickest way to open an EML file in Outlook. It works in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365.

  1. Locate the .eml file on your computer. It’s usually in your Downloads folder or email export location.
  2. Open Microsoft Outlook and navigate to the folder where you want the email to appear (e.g., Inbox, a custom folder).
  3. Drag the .eml file from its folder and drop it directly into the Outlook folder pane.
  4. The email will appear as a new message in that folder. You can now read, reply, or forward it.

That’s it. The email’s subject, sender, recipients, and attachments are all preserved. This method works because Outlook treats the EML file as a standard email message during the import.

Method 2: Use The “Open & Export” Feature

If dragging doesn’t work—or if you prefer a menu-based approach—try this alternative. It’s especially useful for batch importing multiple EML files.

  1. In Outlook, go to the File tab.
  2. Click Open & Export (or Open in some versions).
  3. Select Import/Export.
  4. Choose Import from another program or file, then click Next.
  5. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) or Comma Separated Values depending on your file type. For EML, you’ll actually choose Internet Mail and Addresses if available, but this option is limited in newer Outlook versions.
  6. If you don’t see an EML-specific option, simply drag the files as described in Method 1.

Note: The Import/Export wizard is more designed for PST and CSV files. For EML, dragging is still the most direct path.

Method 3: Open Eml Files In Outlook Web App

If you use Outlook on the web (OWA), you can’t directly import EML files. However, you can forward them to your email address as an attachment.

  1. Open your web browser and log into Outlook Web App.
  2. Create a new email message addressed to yourself.
  3. Attach the .eml file using the paperclip icon.
  4. Send the email.
  5. Open the message in your inbox. The EML file appears as an attachment. Click it to view the original email content.

This method is slower but works if you don’t have desktop Outlook access.

Method 4: Convert Eml To Outlook Format

For users who need to open EML files regularly, converting them to Outlook’s native format (.msg) might be more efficient. You can use free online converters or desktop tools.

  1. Search for “EML to MSG converter” online. Choose a reputable tool.
  2. Upload your .eml file and convert it to .msg format.
  3. Download the converted file.
  4. Double-click the .msg file. It will open directly in Outlook.

Alternatively, you can use a tool like CoolUtils or SysTools. These are safe but always scan downloaded files with antivirus software.

Method 5: Use Windows Mail Or Outlook Express

If you have an older Windows version with Outlook Express or Windows Mail, you can open the EML file there first, then forward it to Outlook.

  1. Double-click the .eml file. It should open in your default email client (often Windows Mail).
  2. Click Forward.
  3. Enter your Outlook email address as the recipient.
  4. Send the email. It arrives in Outlook as a regular message.

This method is a bit roundabout but works for legacy systems.

Why Eml Files Won’t Open Directly In Outlook

Outlook uses its own proprietary format (.pst or .ost) for storing emails. EML is a simpler, text-based format used by many other clients. Microsoft designed Outlook to prioritize its own format for security and performance reasons. However, the drag-and-drop method bridges this gap effectively.

Another reason is that EML files are essentially plain text with headers. Outlook expects a more complex structure. But once imported, the email behaves normally.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes the drag-and-drop method fails. Here’s what to check:

  • File association: Ensure .eml files are associated with Outlook. Right-click the file, choose Open with, and select Outlook. Check “Always use this app.”
  • Outlook version: Very old versions (Outlook 2007 or earlier) may not support drag-and-drop. Use the Import/Export wizard instead.
  • Corrupted file: If the EML file is damaged, try opening it in a text editor like Notepad. You’ll see the raw email content, but attachments won’t be accessible.
  • Antivirus interference: Some security software blocks EML files. Temporarily disable it, import the file, then re-enable.

How To Open Multiple Eml Files At Once

If you have dozens of EML files, dragging them one by one is tedious. Here’s a batch method:

  1. Select all the .eml files in your folder (Ctrl+A).
  2. Drag them into an Outlook folder at once.
  3. Outlook imports them sequentially. You’ll see new messages appear in the folder.

This works because Outlook treats each file as an individual email. However, if you have hundreds of files, consider using a dedicated conversion tool to create a single PST file.

Alternative: Use A Third-Party Eml Viewer

If you only need to read the email content without importing it, a free EML viewer might suffice. Tools like EMLLoader or Free EML Viewer let you open files without Outlook. But if you need to reply or forward, you’ll still need to import.

How To Open Eml File In Outlook 365

Outlook 365 (part of Microsoft 365) behaves the same as Outlook 2019. Drag-and-drop works perfectly. The steps are identical to Method 1 above.

How To Open Eml File In Outlook 2016

Same as above. Drag the file into the folder pane. If you’re using a corporate account, your admin might have disabled drag-and-drop. In that case, use the Import/Export wizard.

How To Open Eml File In Outlook 2010

Outlook 2010 supports drag-and-drop, but the folder pane might not accept the file if you’re in a specific view. Try dragging into the Inbox list instead of the folder tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an EML file without Outlook?

Yes. Use Windows Mail, Thunderbird, or an online viewer. But to use Outlook features, you need to import it.

Why does my EML file open in a web browser?

Your default program for .eml files might be set to a browser. Change it to Outlook in Windows Settings > Default Apps.

Will attachments in the EML file be preserved?

Yes, when you drag the file into Outlook, all attachments are included. You can save them from the imported message.

Can I open an EML file on a Mac?

Outlook for Mac doesn’t support drag-and-drop for EML. Use a converter or forward the file via webmail.

Is there a limit to how many EML files I can import?

No, but importing hundreds at once might slow down Outlook. Batch import in groups of 50 for best performance.

Final Tips For Working With Eml Files

Always keep a backup of your original EML files before importing. If something goes wrong, you won’t lose the data. Also, consider organizing imported emails into separate folders to avoid cluttering your Inbox.

If you frequently recieve EML files from clients or colleagues, set up a dedicated folder in Outlook for imported messages. This keeps your workflow clean and efficient.

Remember, the drag-and-drop method is your best friend. It’s fast, reliable, and requires no extra software. For bulk imports, use a dedicated converter to create a PST file, then import that into Outlook.

Now you know exactly how to open eml file in Outlook. Whether you’re using Outlook 365, 2019, 2016, or an older version, these methods will get the job done. No more struggling with file formats—just drag, drop, and read.