How to Convert MS Outlook Mail Folders to Windows Live Mail: A Complete Guide

Using email clients has become essential for businesses to maintain smooth communication with clients and manage data efficiently. Many users need to switch from one email program to another due to various reasons. For example, while Microsoft Outlook offers comprehensive features, some users prefer switching to Windows Live Mail for its simpler interface.

Windows Live Mail, a free email client from Microsoft, improves on Outlook Express and Windows Mail. It offers better features for managing emails, such as advanced search functions and calendar integration. Windows Live Mail stores email data in EML format, which many email clients on Windows and Mac support.

If you need to convert your Outlook mail folders to Windows Live Mail, this guide will help you through the process, along with an alternative solution if the manual method doesn’t work.

Why Switch from MS Outlook to Windows Live Mail?

Many users choose Windows Live Mail over Outlook for these reasons:

• Free to Use: Windows Live Mail is free, while Outlook requires a paid subscription.
• Simpler Interface: It provides an easy-to-use interface, perfect for users who don’t need Outlook's complex features.
• EML Format Compatibility: EML format works with many email clients, simplifying data migration and management.

Transitioning from Outlook to Windows Live Mail can be tricky because they use different file formats. Outlook stores emails in PST files, while Windows Live Mail uses EML files.

Steps to Convert MS Outlook Mail to Windows Live Mail

You can use Thunderbird as an intermediary tool to convert your Outlook data to Windows Live Mail. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Import Outlook Data into Thunderbird

1. Install the Thunderbird mail client on your device.
2. Launch the Thunderbird application.
3. Click on the Tools menu, then select Import.
4. In the Import Wizard, select Import Everything, then click Next.
5. Choose Outlook as the import source and click Next.
6. Wait for the import to complete. The time it takes depends on the size of your Outlook mailbox.
7. After importing, select the Outlook emails, and click Save As.
8. Pick a folder to save the emails, and they will be saved in EML format.

Step 2: Import EML Files into Windows Live Mail

Once you have your emails in EML format, follow these steps to import them into Windows Live Mail:

1. Launch Windows Live Mail on your computer.
2. Go to the File Menu, select Import Message, then choose Windows Live Mail.
3. Click Browse and locate the folder containing the EML files from Thunderbird.
4. After selecting the emails to import, click Next.
5. Select the folder where you want the emails to appear in Windows Live Mail.
6. Once the import finishes, click Finish.

What to Do If the Manual Method Fails

The manual process works but isn’t always smooth. Here’s why it might fail:

• The process requires technical know-how, and some users may find it difficult.
• Larger mailboxes can take a long time to migrate.
• Certain items, like attachments or calendar entries, may not transfer properly.

Alternative Solution: SoftMagnat PST to EML Converter

If the manual method proves too difficult or fails, you can use SoftMagnat PST to EML Converter for a faster and easier conversion.

Benefits of Using SoftMagnat PST to EML Converter:

Once you have your emails in EML format, follow these steps to import them into Windows Live Mail:

• The tool is easy to use, even for non-technical users.
• It converts PST files to EML quickly and efficiently, saving you time.
• The tool ensures that all data, including emails, attachments, and metadata, remain intact during the conversion.
• You can convert multiple PST files in one go.

How to Use SoftMagnat PST to EML Converter:

1. Download and install the SoftMagnat PST to EML Converter.
2. Open the tool and select the PST files you want to convert.
3. Choose EML as the output format.
4. Start the conversion process, and once it completes, you can import the EML files into Windows Live Mail as described above.

Conclusion

Migrating from MS Outlook to Windows Live Mail can be done manually using Thunderbird, or more efficiently using SoftMagnat PST to EML Converter. While the manual process is free, it can be time-consuming and difficult for some users. Using a third-party tool like SoftMagnat ensures a smooth and reliable conversion.