Looking to transfer OST file as EML files for easier sharing or migration?
You’re not alone-many users need to unlock OST data for use in email clients like Thunderbird or Windows Live Mail, which rely on the EML format for compatibility.
Let’s break down why this conversion matters and how you can do it efficiently, whether you’re working with a few emails or an entire mailbox.
Why Convert OST to EML?
- EML files are widely supported by multiple email platforms, making your emails more portable and accessible.
- You can read your messages without needing the original Outlook profile or Exchange connection.
- EML simplifies personal email storage and makes it easy to transfer emails between different clients.
- It’s a preferred format for investigations, sharing, or archiving single emails.
- Extracting EML from OST is especially useful when your Exchange account is inactive or unavailable1.
Manual Method: Using Outlook and Thunderbird
If you prefer a manual approach and have both Outlook and Thunderbird installed, you can convert OST emails to EML with these steps:
- Open Outlook and ensure your OST profile is loaded.
- Select the emails you want to convert and drag them to a desktop folder, which saves them as MSG files.
- Launch Thunderbird and drag those MSG files into its message list.
- In Thunderbird, right-click each imported message, select “Save As,” and choose EML as the file type.
Manual Method Limitations:
- Requires Outlook to be running and connected to the original OST file.
- Not practical for converting large numbers of emails or entire mailboxes.
- Drag-and-drop may cause loss of formatting or metadata.
- Doesn’t work if your OST file is orphaned or corrupted.
Automated Solution: OST to EML Converter Tool
For a faster, more reliable process-especially with large or disconnected OST files-professional BitRecover OST Converter Wizard is recommended.
Key Features of Advanced Tools
- Convert single or multiple OST files to EML in one go, saving time and effort
- Support for large and even corrupted OST files, with built-in repair options
- Preserve all email properties, attachments, folder structure, and metadata during conversion.
- No need for Outlook installation; just load your OST file and start converting.
- Additional export options, such as PST, MBOX, PDF, and direct migration to services like Office 365 or Gmail.
Steps for Automated Conversion
- Download and install your chosen OST to EML converter on Windows or Mac.
- Launch the tool and load your OST file(s)-most tools offer both single file and batch conversion modes.
- Preview your mailbox content and select the folders or emails you want to export.
- Choose EML as the output format and set your preferred destination folder.
- Start the conversion; the tool will process your data and save the EML files to your chosen location.
- Once finished, you’ll see a confirmation and can access your new EML files immediately.
Conclusion
Switching your OST emails to EML format makes your messages much more accessible and easier to use across different email clients. Manual conversion is possible for a few emails, but professional OST to EML converter are the best choice for bulk tasks, maintaining data integrity, and handling orphaned or damaged files.
With the right tool, you can quickly unlock and migrate your Outlook data-no technical headaches, no data loss.
FAQs
Can I convert OST to EML without Outlook?
Yes, most professional OST to EML converter tools work even if Outlook isn’t installed on your system.
Q-2. Will attachments and formatting be preserved during conversion?
Advanced converter tools ensure all attachments, formatting, and metadata are retained in the EML files.
Q-3. Is it possible to batch convert multiple OST files to EML?
Yes, automated tools support bulk conversion, making it easy to process large mailboxes or multiple OST files at once.
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