How to Convert Multiple MSG Files to EML Format Easily?

[Brantanson01]

I am currently dealing with a large number of MSG files that I need to convert into EML format for compatibility with another email client. Manually converting each file is very time-consuming, and I want a reliable method to convert them in bulk without losing attachments or email formatting. Can anyone recommend an effective solution or tool that can help me convert MSG files to EML quickly and accurately?

 

[jimmy]

If you want reliable bulk conversion without messing up attachments, I’d go with the msgconvert (Perl) tool first it’s battle-tested for .msg → .eml.
On Debian/Ubuntu you can sudo apt install libemail outlook-message-perl then run:

for f in *.msg; do msgconvert "$f"; done

That preserves attachments and headers. On Windows you can install Strawberry Perl and the same module. Works great for hundreds of files and is free just make a backup folder before running it the first time.

 

[AngelinaFi]

If you prefer a GUI and a one-click solution (and don’t mind paying a little), tools like Aid4Mail / MailDex / SysTools have bulk MSG→EML converters with preview and lots of options (preserve attachments, encoding, folder structure).
They usually offer a free trial so you can test a small batch to confirm formatting/attachments are preserved. Good if you’re not comfortable with command line.

 

[Emmawoods]

If you’re comfortable with a tiny script, this Python approach worked for me uses extract_msg to read .msg and email to write .eml. Batchable and you can tweak to keep folder structure:

# pip install extract_msg
import extract_msg, os
from email.message import EmailMessage
from email.policy import default

src = "path/to/msg_folder"
dst = "path/to/output_eml"
os.makedirs(dst, exist_ok=True)

for fname in os.listdir(src):
if not fname.lower().endswith(".msg"):
continue
path = os.path.join(src, fname)
msg = extract_msg.Message(path)
em = EmailMessage(policy=default)
if msg.subject: em["Subject"] = msg.subject
if msg.sender: em["From"] = msg.sender
if msg.date: em["Date"] = msg.date
if msg.to: em["To"] = msg.to

body = msg.body or ""
em.set_content(body)

# attachments
for att in msg.attachments:
data = att.data
aname = att.filename or att.longFilename or "attachment"
em.add_attachment(data, maintype="application", subtype="octet-stream", filename=aname)

out_name = os.path.splitext(fname)[0] + ".eml"
with open(os.path.join(dst, out_name), "wb") as f:
f.write(em.as_bytes())



Test on 5 files first. This keeps attachments and basic headers you can expand it to convert HTML body, inline images, or preserve subfolders.

 

[megamind]

Pro tip: if you try one file and it looks like something from the 1990s (weird encoding, missing attachments), don’t panic that’s why we test first.
Also, if you convert and see weird characters, that’s usually an encoding/body-type issue (try saving as HTML part instead of plain text). Good luck may your .eml files be forever compatible!

 

[ethanwalker]

Use the Perl msgconvert script. Fast, rock solid.

 

[megamind]

Nah, use Outlook + a paid converter less scripting.
Look, both work. If you want zero learning curve and support, pay for a GUI converter. If you want free and automatable, use msgconvert or the Python script above. I always prefer the free CLI for bulk jobs (cron it, forget it). If attachments are critical, compare the output of two methods on the same sample that’ll tell you which to trust for the full batch.

 

[jamesluther]

If you want to convert multiple MSG files to EML format with ease, you can consider an automated solution that performs bulk conversion hassle-free. Softaken MSG to EML Converter is one of the quality solutions to accomplish this simple task.

Here’s how to convert multiple MSG files in just a few clicks.

Set up and run it on your PC.
Select “Add MSG Files” and choose either one or multiple MSG files or an entire directory of MSG files.
Optional: Preview individual MSG emails if desired.
Select EML as the output format.
Select the output location to save the EML emails.
Click the Convert button to start the conversion.

The tool will quickly convert all requested MSG files while preserving email formatting, email metadata, attachments and folder hierarchy. This can be a simple, accurate and effective way to batch convert MSG files to EML without any manual effort.

 

[jainnorton]

In case you are looking for a GUI and a one-click solution (if you are ready to pay a little), the tools like Aid4Mail / MailDex / SysTools come with bulk MSG→EML converters having preview along with various options (to keep attachments, encoding, folder structure).
Generally, they provide a free trial so that you can sample a small batch to check if formatting/attachments are preserved. Suitable for those who are not at ease with command line.