How to Export Outlook Email to EML

Outlook export depends on which Outlook you use. New Outlook and Outlook on the web offer a way to save individual messages. Classic Outlook uses a different export workflow, and a PST mailbox backup is not a folder of EML files. For a whole mailbox in individual EML files, archive the live account with a compatible desktop app.

Save an individual message in new Outlook or Outlook on the web

Open the message in the reading pane or in its own window.
In new Outlook, choose More actions → Save as. On the web, open the message’s More actions menu and look for Save as or Download, depending on the interface.
Choose a destination if prompted. Check the saved file’s extension, then open it in a mail app to verify the message and attachments.

Check Microsoft’s version-specific save instructions if your menus differ. Saving one message does not export the rest of its conversation or mailbox.

Export a mailbox from Outlook.com or Microsoft 365 as EML

Install MailVault and add the account using Microsoft sign-in. Outlook.com accounts use Microsoft Graph in MailVault; Microsoft 365 also supports the app’s OAuth account connection. Organization policies can prevent access.
Inspect Inbox, Sent and custom folders. Confirm that the mail you need is actually available in the connected account; online archives and shared mailboxes may need a separate supported access path.
Select the folders and dates in bulk operations, choose Archive, and let the download finish. Use Archive alone for your first backup.
Switch to the Vault source and check older messages and attachments. Archived messages are saved locally as individual .eml files.

Verify the archive before relying on it

Switch the message source to Vault, rather than Server or All. Search for an old message you recognize.
Disconnect from the network and open a few archived messages from different folders and years. Open their attachments too. A subject line in a list is not proof that the message body is saved.
In Settings, open Backup & Restore and use Export Backup. Choose a location on a second drive. The ZIP contains the vault, accounts and settings; it excludes messages that only exist on the server.
Check that the ZIP opens, contains .eml files, and includes the folders you intended to preserve. For important mail, test restoring a copy in a separate installation before deleting anything.

Short demo: check that mail is available in the vault

Demo with fictional mail, edited from the existing macOS demo recordings. Account sign-in and some preparation happen off camera; this is not a live provider connection.

Read the demo description

The recording shows a search in a prepared local archive. Open the saved results and test attachments offline before relying on your backup. Fictional demo mail is used throughout.

What if you already have a PST or MSG file?

A PST is an Outlook data container; MSG is a different single-message format. Renaming either to .eml does not convert it. Keep the original file, use Outlook or a converter that explicitly supports the format, and validate a sample conversion before processing the full collection. MailVault’s live-account archiving instructions here do not import or convert PST files.

For Microsoft’s native mailbox backup route, see Back up your Outlook email. For the Mac workflow, see back up Outlook.com email to Mac. If storage is the problem, continue with freeing space in Outlook.com.

Download MailVault for free to make your first local archive. Manual archiving is free; automated archiving, scheduled backups and Archive & Delete require Premium.

More practical guides: How to Back Up Gmail to EML Files · How to Download All Your Emails on Mac · How to Back Up Email on Linux as EML · A Local Email Archive for Linux: What to Check