How to Import EML to Exchange Server: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide!

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all the related queries associated with this task i.e. which solution is best for this task, how to import EML to archive mailbox, why to move EML to Exchange Server, what are the best practices for importing EML to Exchange Server, is there any way to automate the import of EML files, and much more. So, let’s start with!

Why Import EML to Exchange Server?

Due to several factors, users want to move EML files to Exchange Server, and some of them are listed here:

• Importing EML to Exchange Server will make email communication better by centralizing data in a single platform.
• To add another layer of security Exchange Server offers various advanced tools such as automatic backup, email archiving, and many more.
• An Exchange Server allows multiple users to collaborate on emails in real time, that’s the reason it is used mainly in organizations. 

Common Use Cases:

• Organizations are using Thunderbird or Outlook, and now to gain more benefits like robust security or real-time collaboration, they need to migrate the data from this platform to the Exchange Server. 
• Importing backup data stored in EML file format to Exchange Server enhances searchability and email management experience. 

Pre-Requisites to Move EML to Exchange Server!

Importing EML to Exchange Server is a complex task, so following the pre-requisites is necessary to minimize the risk of errors and time: 

1. Ensure that you have the required Admin credentials and permissions to access the Exchange Server, to import EML to Exchange Server hassle-free.
2. Always ensure a proper backup to ensure accessibility of data if anything goes wrong during the import EML to Google Workspace, Exchange, Office 365, or any other platform. 
3. Verify the storage of destination mailboxes, especially when migrating large data. 
4. Ensure a stable network connection to avoid disruptions during the task.
5. If you are using Outlook for moving EML to Exchange Server, then confirm the compatibility with Exchange Server. Since old versions of Outlook didn’t support importing data to the Exchange platform.
6. Maintaining the folder structure intact is crucial during the task. For the same, opting for the method that preserves the hierarchy is essential. 
7. Update the Exchange Server to the latest version to avoid compatibility issues. 

Methods to Import EML to Exchange Server!

Several solutions are available online to move EML to Exchange Server and we tried every method. Now, in the following sections, we describe only the best and most practical methods for a hassle-free transition. So, you can opt for any of them according to your organization’s needs:

Solution 1). Import EML to Exchange via Outlook

In this procedure, you have to install Outlook on your system (if not installed), import EML to Outlook 365, and then configure it with Exchange Server. That’s all! For a better understanding go through these detailed steps:

• Install Outlook on your system and follow the instructions to configure it with Exchange Server:
  • Open Outlook.
  • Click File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
  • Click New to add an account.
  • Select Microsoft Exchange and click Next.
  • Enter the details, and click Next, now Outlook will auto-configure the data with the Exchange account.
• Afterward, drag the EML files and drop them into Outlook’s folder. 
• The data you drop into Microsoft Outlook will automatically synced with Exchange Server. 

This process is not practical for large volume data due to the repetitive steps. Additionally, dragging and dropping each EML file repeatedly can be cumbersome and time-consuming. So, those who want to import EML to Exchange Server in bulk simultaneously can consider the next approach.  

Solution 2). Import EML to Exchange using PowerShell

This method is not recommended for novice users as this requires some technical expertise. In this technique, we have to convert EML files to PST then we will import PST to Exchange Server efficiently. Additionally, one can use this New-MailboxImportRequest cmdlet in Exchange 2010, and later versions. However, for larger data (EML files) it is considered to opt for the automated solution which is described further. 

The steps to move EML to Exchange Server are as follows:

• You have to convert EML files to PST format, using any automated solution.
• After the conversion is completed, run these cmdlets to import EML to Exchange Server:

# Specify the path where PST is located:

$pstFilePath = "C:\Path\To\Your\File.pst"

# Choose the desired Exchange mailbox:

$Mailbox = "user@example.com"

# Import PST to Exchange Server:

New-MailboxImportRequest -Mailbox $Mailbox -FilePath $pstFilePath

Write-Host "PST file imported successfully!"

#Check the status of the import request:

Get-MailboxImportRequest | Get-MailboxImportRequestStatistics

This cmdlet, i.e., New-MailboxImportRequest is used to import multiple PST files into the desired Exchange mailbox concurrently. 

After the completion, verify all the data is accessible in the Exchange account, and check if the metadata and folder structure are intact or not.

With this solution, you get several benefits including:

1. Unlike manual methods or PowerShell scripts, this solution offers bulk import, which makes it ideal to import EML to Exchange Server simultaneously.  
2. Not the EML files, but using this solution user can import PST to archive mailbox also.
3. Offers various filters like Date Filter and Delta migration for desired results. 
4. Compared to other solutions, this utility comes with a cost-effective price, which makes it suitable for any organization whether small-scale or large-scale. 
5. After purchasing or downloading this solution, if you have any queries related to this. Then don’t worry go to the official website of the tool, click on Contact Us, and ask your query to the technical team which is available 24/7 for your support.

Now, Learn the Steps to Import EML to Exchange Server!

After downloading this solution, follow the stepwise instructions to move EML to Exchange Server:

• Choose source (File System) and target (Exchange) platforms. 

• On the same screen, pick the “Email” option.

• Next, specify the folder path, “D:/Import/“, as the import location in the tool. Hit the “Validate” button.

• Enter the Exchange Admin credentials to proceed.

• On the “Users” screen, you have multiple options for adding source account users: Fetch Users, Import Users, and Download Template.

• Lastly, select the “Start Import” option.

That’s it! Within six steps you directly import multiple EML to Exchange Server simultaneously. Moreover, there is no need to convert EML files to any other format because it can directly import that file format. 

Common Issues When Importing EML to Exchange Server – How to Fix!

When migrating manually, many users face challenges but don’t know how to resolve them. So, that’s why in this section we learn all the common issues associated with the same, and the solution to fix them to import EML to Exchange Server error-free:

1. Data Integrity Loss

Solution: During the migration, it is very common to lose email data like attachments. Resolving this issue is easy as you just need to opt for the specified smart tool that preserves the data integrity automatically and move EML to Exchange Server efficiently.

2. Corrupted or Invalid EML Files

Solution: Corrupted EML files cause migration failure, so repairing those files is essential before migration. Repairing EML files can be done via automated tools or manually fixing the file by opening it in a text editor.

3. Permissions Issues

Solution: Lack of insufficient permission will create issues during the migration. The solution to fix this hassle is to ensure having proper Admin credentials, and permissions for both source and target.

4. Slow Migration Speeds

Solution: This problem persists with a large volume of data. So, it is recommended to split files or delete unwanted data to import EML to Exchange Server in minimum time. Moreover, opting for the automated solution will quickly import the EML files. 

Best Practices to Move EML to Exchange Server Hassle-Free!

Accurate best practices ensure a successful migration with minimal disruptions. Here we learn all the checklists that need to be followed for a hassle-free transition: 

1. Before migrating the entire data, proceed with a small data set to address issues in advance. 
2. Delete unnecessary EML file data to manage easily after importing. This helps to reduce the migration time also.
3. Only valid attachments will be imported, ensure they are not corrupted. Otherwise, it stops the migration procedure. 
4. Opting for a reliable solution is key to a successful transition. So, it is suggested to use the aforementioned solution (Solution 3) for the desired results.
5. Monitoring the entire migration process is essential to address any issue immediately.
6. Leverage the archiving option in the Exchange Server for better email management.

Bottom Lines!

Importing EML to Exchange Server is a time-consuming and daunting task due to the unavailability of Exchange native tools. To resolve this query, in this informative guide, we discussed all the solutions to import EML to Exchange Server hassle-free and quickly. However, it doesn’t matter which technique you are opting for, following the best practices is crucial to move EML to Exchange Server efficiently.