New Outlook vs Classic Outlook EML Files: Where to Find It

When you save an email as an EML file in Outlook, the file is stored in a specific folder depending on which version of Outlook you use. Classic Outlook saves EML files to a local folder on your hard drive, while New Outlook stores them in the cloud or a different local path. This article explains where each version places your EML files and how to locate them quickly. You will learn the exact folder paths for both versions and how to move files between them.

How Classic Outlook and New Outlook Handle EML Files

An EML file is a standard email message format that stores the email header, body, and attachments in a single file. Classic Outlook (also called Outlook for Windows) has been saving EML files for decades. When you use File > Save As in Classic Outlook, the program prompts you to pick a folder. By default, it suggests your Documents folder, but you can change the location each time.

New Outlook, the modern replacement for Classic Outlook, works differently. It is built on a cloud-first architecture. When you save an email as an EML file in New Outlook, the default save location is your OneDrive folder. If you do not have OneDrive installed or configured, New Outlook may save the file to the local user folder under AppData. This difference causes confusion for users who switch between the two versions.

Both versions produce the same EML file format. You can open an EML file from either version in any email client that supports the format, including Outlook, Windows Mail, and Thunderbird. The only difference is where the file lands on your computer.

Why the Save Location Matters

If you work with multiple computers or share files with colleagues, knowing the exact folder path helps you find and organize your EML files. Classic Outlook users often store EML files in project-specific folders. New Outlook users may find their files in OneDrive, which syncs across devices. If you do not want your EML files in the cloud, you must manually change the save location each time in New Outlook.

Steps to Find EML Files in Classic Outlook

1. Open Classic Outlook
   Launch Outlook for Windows. Make sure you are using the desktop version, not the New Outlook toggle.
2. Save an email as EML
   Open any email message. Click File > Save As. In the Save As dialog, choose a folder. Click Save. The file is saved with a .eml extension.
3. Locate the saved file
   Open File Explorer. Navigate to the folder you selected in step 2. If you did not change the folder, check your Documents folder. The file name matches the email subject line.
4. Search for all EML files
   In File Explorer, click the search box. Type eml and press Enter. All EML files on your PC appear. Filter by date or folder to narrow results.

Steps to Find EML Files in New Outlook

1. Open New Outlook
   Launch the New Outlook app. You can identify it by the simpler ribbon interface and the cloud icon in the top-right corner.
2. Save an email as EML
   Open any email. Click the three dots (More actions) in the toolbar. Select Save As. A File Explorer dialog opens.
3. Check the default save location
   By default, New Outlook suggests your OneDrive folder. Look at the address bar in the Save As dialog. It shows a path like C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Documents. If you see OneDrive in the path, the file will sync to the cloud.
4. Change the save location if needed
   In the Save As dialog, click the left pane to select a different folder, such as Downloads or a local project folder. Click Save. The EML file is saved locally and does not sync to OneDrive.
5. Find EML files saved to OneDrive
   Open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer. The path is C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive. Search for eml inside this folder to see all EML files saved from New Outlook.

If You Cannot Find Your EML Files

EML files are not in the expected folder

If you saved an EML file but cannot find it, the most common cause is that you saved it to a different folder without noticing. Open Outlook again and repeat the Save As process. Before clicking Save, look at the folder path in the address bar. Write down the path. Cancel the save and then open that folder in File Explorer to see if previous files are there.

New Outlook does not show the Save As option

Some versions of New Outlook hide the Save As option. If you do not see Save As in the three-dot menu, click File > Save As instead. If the File menu is missing, press Ctrl+S on your keyboard. This shortcut opens the Save As dialog directly.

EML files open in the wrong program

If double-clicking an EML file opens it in a web browser or another program, right-click the file and select Open with > Outlook (Desktop) or Open with > Mail. To change the default program, go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps and set .eml files to open with Outlook.

Classic Outlook vs New Outlook: EML File Storage Comparison

Item	Classic Outlook	New Outlook
Default save location	Documents folder or last used folder	OneDrive folder
Cloud sync	No automatic sync	Synced to OneDrive by default
Save As shortcut	Ctrl+S works	Ctrl+S works
File format	.eml	.eml
Ability to choose folder	Yes, every time	Yes, every time
Search EML files on PC	Use eml in File Explorer	Use eml in File Explorer

Knowing where each Outlook version saves EML files saves you time when organizing email archives or sharing messages with colleagues. In Classic Outlook, always check your Documents folder or the last folder you used. In New Outlook, check your OneDrive folder unless you changed the location. To avoid cloud sync, manually select a local folder each time in New Outlook. Use the File Explorer search for eml to find every EML file on your computer regardless of which Outlook version created it. If you frequently save emails as EML files, consider creating a dedicated folder on your local drive and always saving to that folder.