Nowadays, Microsoft Outlook is one of the most widely used desktop email clients globally. Many users with MSG files need to import them into Outlook to consolidate their email data within a single, easily accessible platform. To address this need, we will share effective approaches for importing MSG files into Outlook and troubleshooting any issues that may arise during the process.
MSG is a file format used by Microsoft Outlook to store individual email messages. Each MSG file contains a single email message along with its metadata, attachments, and other details. This format is commonly used for archiving, sharing, and backing up emails.
In this guide, we’ll share effective approaches to importing MSG files into Outlook and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. Before we dive into the migration process, let’s explore the reasons behind this query and why importing MSG files might be necessary.
Table of Contents
- Why Importing MSG Files into Outlook is Crucial?
- Method 1. How to Import MSG Files into Outlook Via Drag and Drop?
- Method 2. How to Migrate MSG Files into Outlook Via Copy and Paste Feature?
- Limitations of Using a Manual Approach
- Method 3. How to Import MSG Files into Outlook Via Automated Solution?
- Premier Attributes of Professional Solution
- Final Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Why Importing MSG Files into Outlook is Crucial?
- It helps consolidate your email data into one platform, making it easier to manage messages stored in different locations.
- Outlook also offers robust management tools, such as folders, categories, and search functionalities. It allows users to manage their mailbox data effectively.
- If you receive MSG files from clients or colleagues, importing them into Outlook allows you to access these files in your main email client.
- Migrating MSG files into Outlook can serve as a backup and recovery strategy. If you have emails contained in MSG format, importing them into Outlook ensures that they are backed up within your primary email client, reducing the risk of data loss.
- For business users, this can be crucial for compliance and legal purposes, as ensuring that all emails are stored in Outlook helps meet regulatory requirements and internal policies.
Method 1. How to Import MSG Files into Outlook Via Drag and Drop?
If you want to transfer a few MSG files into Outlook, then you can follow the guidelines as we have discussed below:
- First, launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
- Click on create a new folder and provide a name of the folder to easily filter out.
- Now, open the folder where you have saved the MSG file.
- Then, select the MSG file and drop it into the new folder as you created earlier.
This drag-and-drop feature is workable with all versions of Microsoft Outlook, such as 2007, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If this method does not transfer all your MSG files properly, you can try the copy-and-paste method, discussed in the next section.
Method 2. How to Migrate MSG Files into Outlook Via Copy and Paste Feature?
If the drag-and-drop method doesn’t work, you can use the copy-and-paste method to manually import your MSG files.
- First, visit the folder that contains MSG files.
- Now, select all MSG files and copy them.
- Then, open the Outlook desired folder where you want to receive the MSG file and paste it.
Limitations of Using a Manual Approach
- This manual approach is a time-consuming process, and it’s not capable of handling high volumes of MSG files.
- You may struggle with the large size of MSG files, and this can lead to delays or failure during the import process.
- There is a high possibility of data loss or file corruption if files are not handled correctly. For instance, drag and dropping might not always preserve metadata or attachments correctly.
- Manual approaches lack built-in troubleshooting support, which can be problematic if an error occurs. Users must resolve any issues manually, which could lead to further complications.
- This manual approach is not suitable for the bulk MSG file migration process. Users must have followed each step manually, increasing the likelihood of human error.
Method 3. How to Import MSG Files into Outlook Via Automated Solution?
After trying lots of manual solutions and taking on too many challenges of the manual approach. So, we recommend you opt Jagware MSG to PST Converter, as it allows users to export selective or complete MSG file data without losing any single information. This software has been completely developed with advanced algorithms to prevent any loss of data during the process.
- Download and run automated software on your computer.
- Click on Add file and choose the MSG file you want to import.
- Choose a path for the resultant file, such as hard drive, flash drive, and many more.
- Then, click on convert to complete the process, and now you can easily import MSG files into Outlook.
Premier Attributes of the Professional Solution
- This application can easily convert single or unlimited MSG files at one shot without facing any limitations.
- It preserved metadata such as email header, metadata, date, subject, formatting, and many more.
- You can also take advantage of destination freedom to select any storage devices, such as hard drives, USB drives, or any other storage devices.
- With this wizard, you get a UNICODE PST file to easily access all versions of Microsoft Outlook.
- This software also comes with a user-friendly interface to easily operate by individual and professional users.
Final Verdict
In this guide, we’ve outlined the most effective ways to import MSG files into Outlook, covering both manual and automated solutions. While manual methods like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste are useful for small-scale transfers, they are not ideal for large volumes of MSG files. For a more reliable and seamless experience, we recommend using an automated solution to ensure all data is transferred without loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why won’t my MSG file open in Outlook?
Your MSG file might not open in Outlook due to corruption, version compatibility, or file format issues. Ensure the file is not damaged and is compatible with your Outlook version.
How do I use an MSG template in Outlook?
To use a.MSG template in Outlook, open the template file, customize the content as needed, and then click “Send” to send the email or “Save” to keep the draft for later use.
Is EML the same as MSG?
No, EML and MSG are different file formats. EML stores individual email messages, commonly used by various email clients, while MSG is specific to Microsoft Outlook.