How to Convert MSG to EML Format – Easy Steps for Beginners

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  • Updated on October 15th, 2025

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An Outlook user sends an email with an attachment in .msg format. The other user works in a Linux environment and is therefore unable to open the attachment. Hence, in this situation, the practical solution would be to convert MSG to EML. Now, how does the user plan to do it? This blog will solve this problem. Read the blog to learn about manual ways and a professional way using the Cigati MSG to EML Converter for the conversion. But, before knowing how to convert it, understand why we convert MSG files to EML.

Reasons for Converting MSG to EML

  • Outlook uses MSG to save multiple things like messages, contacts, calendars, and tasks as separate files.
  • EML files only store email messages, not the other stuff like contacts or calendars. However, users can effortlessly access these files in multiple email applications. That’s why users want to convert MSG to EML.
  • MSG files keep all the details and things about messages and Outlook data.
  • EML files have most of the message info, including attachments, but they can’t store everything like MSG files can.
  • MSG is a remarkable format just for Outlook, so you need Outlook on your computer to work with these files easily.
  • You can move MSG files around in Outlook by dragging and dropping them into folders.
  • Other email programs don’t understand MSG files. However, they know how to handle EML files.
  • Sometimes, EML files can be more immense than MSG files because they store more stuff.

Here, we’ve mentioned some common reasons for turning your Outlook MSG files to EML format. Now, we will discuss the best ways to perform the conversion process.

Convert Outlook MSG to EML Using 2 Best Practices

If you want to change MSG files to EML format, there are a few ways to do it. Here are some popular methods, each with its good and not-so-good points.

#1. Converting MSG to EML Manually

  • First, open MS Outlook on your computer.
  • After that, drag and drop the MSG file you want to convert into Outlook.
  • Then, save the file by going to the File menu and choosing a saving location.
  • Next, save the file in .txt format and then change the file extension to .eml.
  • Further, confirm any warnings that pop up during this process.
  • You can now open the converted EML file using Thunderbird or another email client.

The above section has successfully converted your MSG files to EML format. In addition, the manual solution has some loopholes that every user should know. The following section will discuss the same.

Disadvantages of the Manual Method:

  • Requires good knowledge of MS Outlook and technical skills.
  • It can only convert one MSG file at a time. As a result, it is not suitable for bulk conversions.
  • It’s a lengthy process that takes up enough time not ideal for professionals or large-scale conversions.

If you want an easier and more efficient way to convert MSG files to EML without these drawbacks, consider using a specialized MSG Converter tool.

#2. Easily Bulk Export MSG Files to EML with Just a Few Clicks

To overcome all the challenges, opt for the Cigati MSG Converter. This software is an all-in-one and versatile utility. It allows users to convert many MSG files to EML formats simultaneously. Moreover, it handles large and multiple MSG files without any issues. Further, it lets you open MSG files in Gmail and other email services. It effectively removes duplicate emails during conversion, keeping things tidy. Plus, it allows selective email migration based on specific dates, making it easier to manage your files. Now, let’s move further to know the workings of this utility.

Steps to Convert MSG Files Into EML in Bulk

  • First, start the MSG Converter Tool on your computer.
  • After that, select the MSG files you want to convert and add them to the tool.
  • Then, preview the organized content of the MSG files and click Next.
  • Further, choose EML as the format you want to save the files in.
  • Apply any filters you need and set the destination path where you want to save the newly created file.
  • At last, click Convert to start the conversion process.

The End Verdict!

Converting MSG to EML is easy whether you use your email program or a special tool. Just follow the steps in this guide to convert MSG to EML and organize your email stuff better. Moreover, we mentioned two solutions, manual and professional approaches. You can pick any technique but make sure to opt for the appropriate one.

You May Also Read: Convert MSG to HTML

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I convert MSG to EML format?

Ans: EML files are widely supported by many email clients like Thunderbird, Windows Mail, Apple Mail, and more. Converting MSG to EML improves compatibility and accessibility.

Q: Are MSG and EML the same file format?

Ans: No, MSG is a Microsoft Outlook proprietary format, while EML is a standard format used by multiple email clients. Both store individual email messages but in different structures.

Q: How do I open MSG files on a Mac without Outlook?

Ans: You can convert MSG to EML and open the EML files using Apple Mail or any EML-supported viewer on Mac.

Q: Can I convert MSG to EML without Outlook installed?

Ans: Yes, several third-party converter tools, such as Cigati MSG Converter, do not require Outlook. They can directly read MSG file content and export it to EML format.

About The Author:

Rohit Singh is an Email Backup, Recovery & Migration Consultant and is associated with Software Company from the last 3 years. He writes technical updates and their features related to MS Outlook, Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.

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