How to Convert PST to EML Without Outlook?

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: August 6th, 2024 • 9 Min Read

Overview: This informative guide explains every detail to convert PST to EML file format with or without MS Outlook client. Here, you can learn the 2 best techniques to convert PST file to EML file format and the mentioned file extensions.

We all know the PST (Personal Storage Table) format is supported by Microsoft Outlook and the EML format is supported by many applications. Sometimes situations come when users want to convert PST to EML format, for their ease. Cause whatever, here you will get both manual and expert solutions for PST to EML conversion.

You can easily export PST to EML by following the above-mentioned quick steps to avoid reading the full article. If you want to get detailed knowledge about the completion of the task. Then continue to read this article to learn full details.

Comparison Between PST and EML Extensions

Aspect PST File EML File
File Extension *.pst *.eml
Purpose Stores email messages, contacts, calendar items, and more in a single file. Stores individual email messages.
Application Primarily used with MS Outlook to store profile data. Supported by various email clients for storing email messages.
File Structure Contains a structured hierarchy of mailbox data, including emails, folders, contacts, calendar items, etc. Represents a single email message with headers, body, and attachments.
Compatibility Primarily compatible with Microsoft Outlook. Widely supported by multiple email clients such as Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Apple Mail, and more.
File Size Limitation Limited by the version of Outlook and file system but can be quite large. Individual EML files are relatively small, so no specific limitations.
Backup Ideal for creating full backups of mailbox data. Suitable for backing up individual emails.

Here, keep in mind that the choice between PST and EML depends on your specific needs. PST is more suitable for managing and archiving mailbox data within Microsoft Outlook. While EML is better for individual email message storage and sharing across different email clients.

Reasons to Convert PST to EML Format

  • Compatibility: Outlook stores its data in PST format, which can only be opened with an Outlook account. If you want to read PST files in multiple clients, then you must convert them into EML format. Because the EML file is supported by an end number of email clients.
  • No Risk of Data Loss: The PST file stores complete data, so if it gets corrupted or damaged, your complete data will be lost. EML stores only a single email, if it gets corrupted then the rest emails will remain intact.
  • Free Vs Paid: To open PST files you have to purchase the Outlook email client, on the other hand, EML can be accessed with any free email service like Thunderbird.
  • Easy Sharable: EML file format is the simplest format to share a single email file. If you need to send specific emails or email threads to colleagues or clients, converting them to EML format simplifies the process.

#1 Manual Method to Export PST to EML File Format

Use the Thunderbird email client to convert PST to EML file. You need to follow 2 phases to complete this task manually.

Phase 1: Import PST to Thunderbird

  1. Launch the Thunderbird email client and choose Tools.
  2. Thereafter, select the Import option from dropdown.
    Choose Import from Tools
  3. Tick Import from Outlook and click Continue.
    Import from Outlook
  4. Choose Items (Mail Messages) to import in Thunderbird.
    Choose Mail messages
  5. Click the Start Import button to start importing mail messages.
    Start Import button
  6. After completion of the task, click the Finish button.
    Click Finish

Note: After completing the first phase, please restart your Thunderbird client to view imported emails.

Phase 2: Export Thunderbird to EML

  1. Run the Thunderbird email client and choose a specific folder to export emails.
  2. Select all emails within a folder using the CTRL+A button.
    Select all emails
  3. After that, right-click and choose the Save As option.
    Save As option
  4. Thereafter, browse the destination path and click on the Save button.
  5. Open the destination path and get the resultant EML files.
    Get the resultant EML files

Here we have used the free Thunderbird email client to convert PST to EML format. Manual methods are so easy. But it has some drawbacks, as mentioned below:

Drawbacks of the Manual Method

  • First of all manual method is suitable for limited emails.
  • The time-consuming and lengthy process to convert PST to EML format.
  • Also, bulk PST to EML conversion is not possible.
  • Users must repeat the process again and again for each PST folder.
  • Only specific Thunderbird editions are suitable for converting PST files to EML format.
  • Sometimes users may face compatibility issues.

#2 Automated Method to Batch Convert PST to EML

PST File Converter Software is a famous and highly recommended tool to convert PST to EML files. The software comes with multiple advanced features that make the software more powerful and usable for all technical and non-technical users. This application is compatible with all Windows and Mac OS.

This PST to EML Converter supports all types of PST files exported from any Outlook version including the latest Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and all previous versions. it remains all the email attributes and elements while converting PST file to EML file format.

How to Convert PST to EML Without Outlook?

Follow these simple steps to overcome this solution effortlessly:

  1. Firstly, download and install PST to EML Converter on your Windows machine.
    Run PST to EML Converter
  2. Add the PST files automatically or manually using the Select Files/ Folders option.
    Add Outlook PST files
  3. After that, check the “Use Recovery Mode” option for inaccessible files.
    Recovery mode
  4. Check the folders that you want to convert PST to EML format and click on the Next button.
    Choose expected PST items
  5. After that, choose EML format from the list of saving options.
    Choose EML
  6. Select the desired location to save the resultant data files.
    Set destination path
  7. Thereafter, enable the File Naming Option and hit the Convert button.
    Convert PST to EML
  8. See PST to EML conversion process is running, please wait.
  9. Lastly, after the successful process, you will get a confirmation message.
    Export PST to EML
  10. Get resultant EML files from the source destination.

Features of the PST to EML Converter Tool

  • Bulk Conversion Supported: The software allows users to convert unlimited data files in bulk at one time without any file size limitations. So, you can save your time and effort.
  • Retains Original Formatting: The tool guarantees to convert PST to EML with the same Metadata. Throughout the entire switchover process i.e., the entire Cc, Bcc, subject, date, time, attachments; etc.
  • Standalone Utility for Conversion: There is no need to download and install any third-party tool to apply to run the software, even not Outlook installation is required.
  • Recovers Corrupted Files: PST to EML Converter converts corrupted PST files to EML format after recovering them to healthy format.
  • All Outlook Compatibility: The PST to EML converter supports all Microsoft Outlook versions such as Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, etc.
  • File Naming Option: The PST to EML conversion tool offers a file naming option to manage the converted EML file in a better way.
  • Multiple Saving Options: This utility is also capable to convert PST to PDF, MBOX, EMLX, HTML, and other standard file extensions.

Convert PST to EML Formats with Online Converters

Users find many online and free PST to EML tools to convert PST to EML format. But this type of tool is not safe. Because these are not authorized and verified. Also, there are some limitations, an internet connection is necessary, and no bulk conversion is available.

Uploading your PST file to an online PST to EML converter means your email data will be temporarily stored on their servers. While reputable services claim to maintain data privacy, there can be concerns about the security of your email content.

But our expert solution is better than online tools. Because there is no need for an internet connection and at the same time, it allows users to do bulk PST to EML conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1: What is the difference between PST and EML?

Learn brief information about PST and EML files.

  • PST file used to store Outlook profile data including emails, contacts, calendars, notes, journals, etc.
  • EML format allows to storage of a single email with all the attributes and elements.

However, for more details, you can read the above-mentioned table and understand the difference between both file extensions.

Q 2: Does Outlook support EML files?

Yes, Microsoft Outlook supports EML format, you can easily import EML files to Outlook by drag and drop method. However, the email hierarchy and format will not be maintained.

Q 3: Why EML file is not opening in Outlook?

EML file is mainly used in Windows OS, Sometimes happens when Microsoft updates the default email client, thus causing the problem of the EML file not opening in the Outlook account. However, you can use a professional way to open EML files without Outlook.

Q 3: Will the exported EML file be supported in Thunderbird?

Yes, you can use resultant EML files with Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, eM Client, etc.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we mentioned the complete information to convert PST to EML format in bulk using Manual and professional methods. The manual method is always great for limited data, but if you have large data or a large size of PST file, then the PST to EML converter tool is one of the best and most sophisticated solutions for PST to EML conversion.

Also, the tool provides amazing and advanced features, and it comes with a free demo version. So, users can download the software and see how the tool works properly.

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