When you switch from Classic Outlook to the new Outlook for Windows, your EML files are not automatically moved or imported. Many users save EML files to export individual emails, back up messages, or transfer data between systems. The new Outlook does not open EML files natively the same way Classic Outlook did. This article explains where your EML files are stored after the transition, how to locate them manually, and how to open them without reverting to the classic version.
Key Takeaways: Locating and Opening EML Files After Switching to New Outlook
- File Explorer > Documents > Outlook Files: Default location where Classic Outlook saves exported EML files and attachments.
- Open with > Microsoft Outlook Web App or Mail app: How to open an EML file when double-clicking fails in new Outlook.
- Drag and drop into new Outlook: Method to import an EML file directly into a new Outlook folder as a regular message.
Why EML Files Are Not Visible in New Outlook by Default
Classic Outlook stores EML files in two main locations. When you export a single message using File > Save As, Classic Outlook saves it as an .eml file to your local drive. The default folder is Documents\Outlook Files. The second location is the Temporary Internet Files folder, where Classic Outlook caches attachments and message previews. New Outlook does not use the same file storage system. It relies on Microsoft 365 cloud sync or local PST files that are not directly accessible as individual EML files. When you leave Classic Outlook, your saved EML files remain on your computer but are not indexed or linked to the new Outlook interface. You must locate them manually through File Explorer.
The Default Save Location for Exported EML Files
If you ever used the Save As command in Classic Outlook, the EML files are stored in your user profile. The exact path is:
C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\Outlook Files
Replace YourUsername with your actual Windows user name. If you changed the save folder during export, the files could be in any folder you selected. Search the entire Documents folder for eml to find all saved EML files.
EML Files in Temporary Internet Files
Classic Outlook sometimes stores EML copies of attachments or previews in the Temporary Internet Files folder. This location is hidden by default. To view it, open File Explorer, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook into the address bar, and press Enter. Look for folders with random names like 0O1A2B3C. Each folder may contain EML files. This is not a reliable location for permanent storage, but it can be a source of lost EML files if you have not saved them elsewhere.
Steps to Locate and Open EML Files in New Outlook
Follow these steps to find your EML files and open them with new Outlook or a compatible application.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the default save folder
Press Win + E to open File Explorer. In the address bar, type %userprofile%\Documents\Outlook Files and press Enter. This folder contains all EML files exported from Classic Outlook using Save As. - Search for all EML files on your computer
In File Explorer, click the search box in the upper right. Type eml and press Enter. Windows will list every EML file on the drive. This search may take several minutes if you have a large hard drive. Sort by Date Modified to find the most recent files. - Open an EML file with new Outlook
Right-click the EML file and select Open with > Choose another app. Select Outlook (new) from the list. If Outlook (new) does not appear, click More apps and scroll down. Check the box Always use this app to open .eml files if you want this to be the default. Click OK. The message opens in a separate window in new Outlook. - Drag and drop the EML file into a new Outlook folder
Open new Outlook and navigate to the folder where you want to store the message (for example, Inbox or a custom folder). In File Explorer, select the EML file and drag it onto the folder name in the Outlook folder pane. Release the mouse button. The EML file is imported as a regular email message with its original headers, subject, and attachments. - Use the Mail app as an alternative viewer
If new Outlook cannot open the file, right-click the EML file and select Open with > Mail. The Windows Mail app can open EML files natively. You can then forward the message to yourself in new Outlook or copy the content manually.
Common Issues After Moving EML Files to New Outlook
Several problems can occur when you try to open or import EML files into new Outlook. Below are the most frequent scenarios and their fixes.
Double-Clicking an EML File Opens Classic Outlook Instead of New Outlook
Windows may still associate the .eml extension with Classic Outlook. To change this, right-click any EML file, select Properties. Next to Opens with, click Change. Select Outlook (new) from the list. If it is not listed, click More apps and scroll to the bottom. Click Look for another app on this PC. Navigate to C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_ (the version number varies). Select Outlook.exe. Click Open, then Apply. This forces Windows to use new Outlook for all EML files.
EML File Opens Blank or With No Content
This happens when the file is corrupted or was saved from an incomplete download. Open the EML file in Notepad by right-clicking it and selecting Open with > Notepad. If you see garbled text or only headers with no body, the file is damaged. No recovery method exists. You must obtain a fresh copy from the original sender or export the message again from Classic Outlook if you still have access to it.
New Outlook Does Not Show the Imported EML Message in the Folder
After dragging and dropping an EML file, the message may not appear immediately. Click the folder and press F5 to refresh. If the message still does not appear, check the Deleted Items folder. New Outlook sometimes moves imported items there if the folder rules filter them. Also verify that you are not viewing the folder with a filter applied. Click View > Filter Email and select All to clear any active filter.
| Item | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Default EML save location | Documents\Outlook Files | No default EML storage; files remain in the same user folder |
| Opening EML by double-click | Opens in Classic Outlook natively | Requires file association change or Open with |
| Importing EML into mailbox | File > Open & Export > Import/Export | Drag and drop from File Explorer |
| Search for EML files | Search within Outlook | Use Windows File Explorer search with eml |
| Attachments in EML files | Extracted automatically on open | Extracted only after opening the EML in new Outlook |
After switching to new Outlook, your EML files remain on your computer but are no longer linked to the application. You can locate them through File Explorer and open them with new Outlook by changing the file association or using drag and drop. For files that do not open, the Windows Mail app is a reliable fallback viewer. To avoid losing access to saved messages in the future, export important emails as MSG files instead of EML files, as new Outlook handles MSG files more consistently. You can also keep a copy of Classic Outlook installed side by side for file conversion tasks.