How to Repair EML File Before Converting to PST?
| Don’t let your business halt with corrupted EML files. You can repair EML files before converting to PST by renaming the file extension from .eml to .txt, importing EML files into supported email clients, or using a dedicated EML repair solution. |
If you are a Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, Apple Mail, or any other email client user that supports EML files, then having unreadable and damaged EML files is not more than just a minor inconvenience. You can’t switch to Outlook because Outlook fails to open EML file having mismatches between Unix (LF) and Windows (CRLF) formatting or missing Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions headers.
As a result, you may face operational delays, data loss, inaccessible attachments, compliance issues, and many other problems. Not anymore! We’ve got solutions for you.
In this write-up, we’ll discuss why EML files get corrupted and how to repair EML files effectively.
Why EML Files Get Corrupted | Common Reasons
No single reason is always responsible for EML file corruption. There can be many factors; some common reasons are given below:
- Oversized EML files.
- Virus or malware attack on system.
- Opening EML files in incompatible email clients.
- Incomplete downloads or transfers.
| Note: You already know that a mismatch between Unix (LF) and Windows (CRLF) formatting or missing Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions headers prevents EML files from opening in another email client like Outlook. You can’t open EML files with such an issue in Outlook or any other application. You must repair a corrupt EML file before converting it to PST. |
How to Repair EML Files? 3 Working Ways Listed
To repair corrupt EML files, you need to follow stepwise guidance. The methods below can repair EML file corruption, which you can opt for at your convenience:
Method 1: Open EML file in Another Mail Client
EML file-supported clients like Microsoft Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or emClient can automatically repair EML file corruption up to some extent. You just need to try to open or import an EML file there. To do that, follow the steps below:
- Open an email client, be it Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or any other.
- Create a new folder in it and import EML files or drag and drop EML files there.
- Try to open the imported EML file from the newly created folder.
- If everything looks fine and the application rebuilds the header, export again to an EML file.
Method 2: Repair EML Files using a Dedicated Solution
Dedicated solutions have always been helpful for repairing EML files. So, you just need an EML repair tool, and by using that, you can achieve your goal. Just add your corrupted EML files there, and the tool will fix the corruption issue. After getting the healthy EML files, import in Outlook via drag and drop and use the Import/Export feature to convert them to PST.
If you want a direct way to convert to PST with ease, you can try Kernel for EML to PST Converter tool. Install it and add your EML files and convert into PST.
Method 3: Rename EML File to TXT
If you want only to repair and access EML files in a browser or text editor application, you can try renaming them. Change the file extension from .eml to .txt and try to open that file in an application like Notepad or supported browsers. A few Outlook versions also support opening .txt files via the Import/Export function.
You can also change the .eml file extension to .mht to open it via a web browser like Microsoft Edge. The email formatting may be lost with this process.
Concluding Words
Now that you know the methods to repair EML file corruption before converting to PST. You can use any method at your own convenience. Changing the file extension to repair EML files can result in formatting and attachments being lost, while opening a corrupt EML file in any reliable mail application is safer.
Apart from that, using an EML repair tool can be a great way to make your EML file healthy. All the methods are reliable, but they come with their effectiveness and drawbacks too; you must choose wisely as per your convenience and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I repair an EML file by changing its extension?
A: Only in a few cases, not every time. Your email’s text formatting and attachments won’t be included. You can only view text messages.
Q: Will importing EML files in a supported email client repair the corruption issue?
A: Yes, a few applications like Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and emClient may allow you to open lightly corrupted EML files. Afterwards, you can then save them as healthy email files.
