Unable to Open .eml files in Outlook 2016 – Solved

Summary:If you are unable to open .eml files in Outlook 2016, relax now because you are at the right place to learn the simplest and easiest ways to solve this problem. Here you will get an instant solution along with the working steps to open .eml files in Outlook. So go through this entire blog to find the solutions you have been looking for.

Let’s start with some basic information about EML file before learning the solutions. If you are already familiar with EML files and Outlook, you can proceed to the next section. If you’re new to the IT world and unable to open .eml files in Outlook 2016, Then continue to the next section.

What exactly is EML?

Microsoft Corporation invented EML, which stands for “email message”. EML files can be opened in Outlook Express by default and come preinstalled with Windows XP OS. The EML file format has a uniform structure with header and message text. EML files can be used with a variety of third-party apps, servers, and email clients because they conform to email standards. If you have Outlook 2010 or later installed on your computer, EML files open in Outlook by default. If you can’t open it, make Outlook your default program and it will open it for you.

EML stands for electronic mail, which includes both the body and the attachments. The EML extension is used to represent an EML file. At its simplest level, the EML file retains the original HTML code, email header and text grammar. Many email clients including Windows Live Mail, Windows Mail, eM Client, Thunderbird, Mac Mail, SeaMonkey and others support EML format.

Read Also: How to Create PST from EML Files Without Outlook?

Reasons for the query “Unable to open .eml files in Outlook 2016” – Know Here

MS Outlook stands out among all email clients in this new era of digitization when email communication is required.

Many people must have used email applications like Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail and others that are now obsolete. That’s why, many users are switching from these email applications to Microsoft Outlook, which now has a wealth of advanced features.

EML format only works with email programs that run under Windows.

Microsoft occasionally changes the default email clients with each new OS release. For example, Outlook Express was the default email client in older versions of Windows like XP, but Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail have been superseded in subsequent versions of Windows like Vista and 7. Because all three email programs handle different file types, it is necessary to open them all.

Methods to Import .eml Files in MS Outlook 2016 – 4 Best Techniques

If users are unable to open .eml files in Outlook 2016, then he or she does not have an email client that supports EML. When users receive EML files but don’t have EML associated email software installed on their PC, the problem gets even worse. After examining the various situations, in this section we have come up with some methods that can read EML format easily.

#1. Using the Windows Live Mail and Outlook application
#2. Make the Outlook application the default program
#3. Drag and drop method
#4. With professional tool

Method 1. Directly import EML file to Outlook using Windows Live Mail

1. Open Outlook and Windows Live Mail at the same time.

2. In Windows Live Mail, go to the “File” tab and choose “Export Email” >> “Email Messages” from the drop down menu.

3. In the Windows Live Mail Exchange Box, select “Microsoft Exchange” and then click “Next”.

4. Click the “OK” button to confirm.

5. Select folder option allows you to export either all emails or selected emails to MS Outlook.

6. After completing the whole process, you will receive a confirmation message.

All your EML files can now be opened and viewed effortlessly in MS Outlook. However, before you start the above procedure, make sure you have taken the necessary steps.

#2. Make Outlook Application as default program

• Go to the EML files’ location on the hard drive.
• Select ‘Open with’ from the context menu, then ‘Outlook’.

For more information, see the snippet below;

#3. Drag and Drop Method

• EML files can be directly dragged and dropped into MS Outlook.
• This is by far the most straightforward way for converting EML files to Outlook.
• You can drag and drop EML files into Outlook if you have access to them.

The Manual Method’s Drawbacks:

The manual tricks mentioned above have several limitations, which are mentioned below:

• To use the above manual methods, users must have technical knowledge.
• Any semicolon error in the process causes the.eml file to lose its data.
• To display EML files, each email client uses a different mechanism.
• Manual procedures take up a lot of the user’s time. If you have thousands of emails, exporting them could take hours or even days.

Read Also: Fix “Unable to Open MSG Files Saved with Outlook 2016” Issue

#4. [Solved] Unable to Open .eml files in Outlook 2016 – Quick and Easy Way

Although these manual methods seem easy, there is no guarantee that all your EML files will be correctly imported into Outlook. Also it will take a lot of time and effort on your part if you have a lot of EML data. Due to these factors, it is recommended to use a reliable and dependable solution like Advik EML to PST Converter. It’s such an effortless solution that doesn’t require as much technical expertise but gives you a direct path if you are unable to open .eml files in outlook 2016 or any other versions. With this single tool, you can also convert EML to Text, MSG, MBOX, PDF, CSV, DOC and many other popular file formats.

     

It’s a standalone tool that can solve all your EML access problems. It is a unique standalone solution that allows you to view EML files without having to export them to Outlook. It has an inbuilt feature that allows it to scan EML files automatically. It’s an easy-to-use program that works in three steps: Select, View, and Save.

How to Transfer EML files to Outlook 2016? – Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Advik EML to PST Converter on your PC.

2. Now you have two options to add EML files to the software panel. Click Select files or Select folders.

Note: If you have a single EML file, select the “Select Files” option and if you have folders with EML files, select “Select Folders”.

3. Select required mailbox folders from EML file that you want to convert to PST.

4. From the list of different file formats, select PST as a saving option.

5. Finally, click the “Next” button and analyze the email conversion process.

This is how you can quickly convert EML files to PST files without losing data.

Steps to Import PST File into Outlook Application;

1. Launch the Outlook application to open and read the converted PST files.

2. Here, go to “Open & Export” option and select Outlook data file.

3. Select the Outlook PST file from the path of the PST file you have exported previously, then press the “OK” button.

4. After that, you can open EML file in Outlook with ease.

Watch Video Tutorial

Final Thoughts

This blog has ended with best solutions to solve the user query “unable to open .eml files in Outlook 2016”. You have a variety of alternatives and the method you choose is entirely up to you. If you have plenty of free time and better technical skills, go with the manual solutions. Otherwise, I recommend using a professional tool. It is totally up to you to make a decision because you know your needs and requirements. we hope this blog was helpful in solving your problem.