DIY Methods to Export Windows Live Mail to Outlook on Another Computer

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Many Windows Live Mail users are looking to switch to a more modern and widely supported email client. Microsoft Outlook currently ranks as the leading choice for most professionals and organizations. Because of its reliability, advanced features, and seamless integration with Microsoft services, users frequently need to export Windows Live Mail to Outlook on another computer. This guide provides accurate, step-by-step solutions.

Before exploring the methods, let’s examine why users decide to make this migration.

Why do users want to export Windows Live Mail to Outlook?

Microsoft no longer supports Windows Live Mail, prompting users to move away from the discontinued application. It also lacks proper compatibility with Microsoft Exchange, which can lead to unexpected interruptions. As a result, many people seek reliable ways to transfer their data to a fully supported client such as Outlook.

Additional reasons include:

• Windows Live Mail offers only basic calendar features, whereas Outlook provides tasks, notes, and robust contact management.
• Outlook integrates smoothly with Microsoft Exchange; Windows Live Mail does not.
• Windows Live Mail lacks a programming interface, while Outlook includes advanced automation and extensibility options.

Now let’s review the manual methods for exporting Windows Live Mail emails to Outlook.

Manual Methods to Export Windows Live Mail to Outlook on Another Computer

Two manual approaches are available:

1. Using the Microsoft Exchange option
2. Using the Windows Live Mail file path

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Method 1: Using the Microsoft Exchange option

Windows Live Mail includes a built-in export feature that can send mail items directly to Microsoft Exchange. From Exchange, you can save the data as a PST file and then import it into Outlook using the Import/Export wizard. Follow the steps below.

Steps to Export Windows Live Mail items to Microsoft Exchange

1. Launch Windows Live Mail, click File > Export email > Email messages.

2. Select Microsoft Exchange and click Next.

3. When the confirmation message appears, click OK.

4. In the profile dropdown, choose Outlook and click OK.

5. In the Export Messages dialog, select either All folders or Selected folders and click OK.

6. The export process begins automatically.

7. Wait for the confirmation message indicating successful completion.

8. Open Outlook to verify that the items have been transferred.

Once the items are in Exchange, you can save them as a PST file. Then import the PST file into Outlook using the following steps:

Steps to Import PST to Outlook:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
3. Select Import from another program or file and click Next.
4. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
5. Browse to the PST file you want to import.
6. If the file is password-protected, enter the password and click OK.
7. Select the destination folder for the imported data.
8. Click Finish to start the import.
9. The imported items appear in the navigation pane. Create a new folder if desired and organize the messages.
10. All PST data is now successfully available in Outlook.

Method 2: Using the Windows Live Mail File Path

Windows Live Mail stores messages in EML format, usually located at:

C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail

You can copy these files to an external drive and transfer them to another computer. After configuring Outlook on the new PC, simply drag and drop the EML files into a new folder. Follow these steps:

1. Locate your Windows Live Mail files at the path shown above.
2. Copy all files to a portable storage device.
3. Connect the device to the destination computer.
4. Open Outlook and create a new folder (for example, “WLM”).
5. Drag and drop the EML files into the new folder.

These manual methods can be time-consuming and technically demanding. Because Windows Live Mail uses the EML format while Outlook uses PST, a dedicated conversion tool such as an EML Converter offers a faster and safer alternative. The tool converts EML files directly to PST format, which can then be imported into Outlook without data loss. It supports all current Windows versions and preserves folder structure and metadata.

Conclusion

This guide outlines the main reasons for migrating from Windows Live Mail and provides two reliable manual methods to export data to Outlook on another computer. For users who prefer a streamlined, non-technical solution, the recommended conversion utility delivers speed and data integrity. Most users choose the direct method for its simplicity and reduced risk of errors.

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