Convert OST to EML

Migrate mail from Outlook to other mail applications while preserving message properties and original folder structure. Recover messages from orphaned OST files. Perform bulk conversion.

Features:

• Supports all OST file types and all versions of Windows and Outlook 2007 and later.
• Restores the data from the Outlook BAK file created with ScanPST.
• Keeps the original folder structure.
• Maintains data integrity:
  • Exports emails from OST file wholly, with images and attachments (all extensions).
  • Retains message properties and original formatting.
• Has no limitations on the size of OST to convert.
• Works quickly with large OST files or where several files must be converted at once.
• Requires no connection to Exchange Server or IMAP mailbox.
• Converts orphaned or archived OSTs.
• Selectively saves data from OST to EML format. Allows you to select specific messages for conversion.
• Optionally skips empty and system folders when converting.
• Allows you to name EML files, select an existing folder to save them, or arrange the resulting EML files into folders by date, sender and recipient, subject, source folder, or mailbox name.
• Automatically converts OST to EML on schedule and performs batch conversion through the command line.
• Launches from Outlook or a standalone application, or a command-line application.
• Generates a report upon completion of the process.

Why convert OST to EML?

Microsoft Outlook stores the message copies in OST data files when using IMAP, Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Outlook.com accounts, synchronizing the data file with the email server. This internal Outlook format does not allow you to view mail on another computer or transfer it to another email program.

The EML format is used by most email applications to save and import emails. EML files are compatible with Mozilla Thunderbird, Mac/Apple Mail, Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, IncrediMail, Entourage, Eudora, and other mail programs. It is the most common format for email backups.

The main reasons for OST2EML conversion are:

• Cross-device browsing and messaging. MS Outlook allows you to view the OST file contents only in the account where it was created and only in the Windows system. EML viewers are available on all modern platforms, including smartphones. To share a message, simply save it in EML format and the recipients can read it, regardless of the device or operating system they are using.
• Recovering messages from an archived OST or an OST created in another account.
• Converting messages from a disabled OST file.
• Transferring emails from Outlook account with OST data file to another email application that supports EML format (Windows Live Mail, Mac / Apple Mail, and others).
• Backup of the mail from OST file in the common mail format.
• Saving messages in separate files. By saving messages in this way, you do not risk losing all mail if one of them is damaged, as can happen when using the OST format. In addition, using the OST to EML converter, you can automatically sort your mail into folders in a structure convenient for you.

How to transfer emails from Outlook connected to Exchange Server to another email account?

Standard Outlook tools do not allow saving messages from OST to EML format for transfer to other mail systems. To import mail from an OST file without data loss, use this simple utility. Specify parameters for message filtering and folder for saving final EML files and after that, the whole process will be performed automatically. The resulting files can be imported into most email applications.

Additional benefits of the utility:

• The conversion does not require the account in which the original OST file was created.
• Advanced settings allow you to automatically select specific messages for conversion.
• The converter contains built-in macros for the convenient automatic arrangement of the resulting EML files into folders.
• The command-line application allows batch OST conversion and converting on schedule.
• A simple, intuitive interface makes the conversion process easy and fast.

How to selectively extract messages from OST to EML

To save messages from OST to EML, use the General and Advanced settings of the utility:

1. Specify the desired file or folder with files to convert.
2. On the Advanced tab, select the period for which you want to convert the emails. Specify a period in the drop-down list.
3. Use the message filter to convert
   • all messages,
   • received messages,
   • sent messages.

How to customize the names of destination folders and files

1. On the General tab, specify an existing folder for the final EML files on your disk or network share. You may use a template for naming new folders and EML files:
   • by date, time or year;
   • by email address or name of the sender;
   • by email address or name of the first recipient;
   • by subject;
   • by Outlook folder name;
   • by the name of the mailbox or data file;
   • naming a folder by the current date/time.
   With regular expressions, you can use only the necessary parts of the subject, email, or any other message fields in the names of the target folder and file to be saved. You have the option to save the resulting EMLs in separate folders for each source OST, and according to the original folder structure.
2. Rename the final EML files to avoid duplicates when converting the same OST file again.
3. To skip empty folders and "Deleted Items" from the source file, select the appropriate option.

How to save messages from archived or orphaned OST?

To save emails in EML format from an OST disconnected from the mail server, you need no additional actions. This utility works with orphaned OST files as well. Just select the source OST on your PC at startup and all the necessary messages will be saved in EML format.

How to export emails from multiple OST files or convert OST to EML on schedule?

Extract the emails from multiple data files at once. Perform a batch conversion using the command line. This special app easily converts several OST files at a time.

The command-line app allows you to configure automatic OST conversion on a schedule, using batch scripts, PowerShell, and other scenarios. You can specify settings like the source OST location, folders for saving the final EMLs, the period for which you want to convert data, removing or saving duplicates. Contact us and we will help you write scripts for your specific tasks.

You can speed up the utility by running several command-line applications simultaneously.

FAQ

Can I move emails with attachments out of Outlook connected to Exchange Server to Windows Live Mail?

Windows Live Mail uses EML format to store and import messages. You can migrate emails from OST to EML losing no data, including attachments. To export from Outlook to Windows Live Mail, convert emails from OST to EML with our utility.

How can I import selected emails from the .ost file to another mail client?

1. Select the desired .ost file when starting the utility.
2. Define the parameters for filtering messages on the Advanced tab.
   Use the Filter for messages to be converted:
   • all messages;
   • received messages;
   • sent messages.
3. And specify the Period for conversion.
4. Indicate the folders for saving the resulting .eml files on the General tab.
5. Click the Run button.

Can I convert OST to EML online?

Online email converters do not ensure the confidentiality of your correspondence and the full safety of the original data. In addition, you may encounter limitations on the size and number of exported files. Online conversion of large databases can be time-consuming. Don't take risks and waste effort and time, use reliable tools to convert messages and other mailbox items.

What are the limitations when converting OST to EML?

The utility imposes no restrictions on the number or size of the data files to be converted. You can convert an unlimited number of folders or files as often as you need.

When converting, the utility saves all email data, such as:

• message subject,
• dates of sending and receiving,
• addresses of the sender and recipients,
• attachments,
• HTML marked text and pictures,
• Internet headers.

EML is a format for storing emails. Contacts, calendars, and other Outlook items will not be saved to it. If you need to save calendar entries, contacts, and other mailbox items, use the "Convert OST to MSG" utility.