Transfer Windows Live Mail to Outlook on New Computer

Published By Jamie Kaler

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On April 2nd, 2026

Reading Time 6 Min Read

In this guide, we will explain the best way to import Windows Live Mail to Outlook including New Outlook, Outlook 2021, 2019 and older. You will learn why manual approach doesn’t work and how outdated approaches make your conversion fail. In addition, we will also explain Windows Live Mail to PST Converter to make large conversion hassle-free.

Windows Live Mail is the part of Windows Suite 2012, which was discontinued by Microsoft and its support ended in January 2017. Now, it has no security updates and is at high risk of threats. It can also no longer sync with Outlook due to outdated authentication protocols. Windows Live Mail has been designed for older versions like Windows 7 and Windows Server 2009. It’s not fully compatible with the latest versions of Windows such as Windows 10 or 11.

Why Switch from Windows Live Mail to Outlook?

Windows Live Mail is no longer supported by Microsoft that means no updates, bug fixes or security. This makes it unreliable for ongoing use.
Microsoft Outlook offers more functionality from Windows Live Mail such as better email organization, calendar integration, task management and advanced search capabilities .
Outlook supports modern authentication methods and regularly receives security updates not like Windows Live Mail at risk of threats.
Outlook uses PST files and allows users to manage all data including emails, contacts, calendar and other data in a single file.

Windows Live Mail to Outlook Converter – Reliable Solution

If you want to migrate whole data from Windows Live Mail to Outlook then we recommend you to choose RecoveryTools Windows Live Mail Converter as it supports PST saving options and can handle any number of any size of mailbox data. This software can auto detect WLM files from default location.
(Note: You don’t need to install Outlook on your computer to generate a PST file using Windows Live Mail to Outlook Converter. The software works independently to create a fully compatible PST file with all Outlook versions.)

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Important Features of Windows Live Mail to Outlook Converter

The software allows users to add Windows Live Mail data professionally and manually using the Select Files and Select Folders options.
Maintains the exact folder hierarchy as it appeared in Windows Live Mail.
Preserves all email attachments, inline images, and documents perfectly intact.
If your Windows Live Mail is configured same machine, then this tool will load the data automatically from the default location.
Users can select the required data from the software panel as per choice. Also, the Windows Live Mail to Outlook converter allows users to import multiple data files in bulk at once.
The advanced filter option allows users to select Windows Live Mail to Outlook conversion via Bcc, Cc, To, From, Date, Subject, etc.
Users can easily separate PST per file example: if you have 100 single files, then this tool will make 100 PST files using the Separate PST per user option.
Also, it chooses a desktop location by default and you can select a different location as per choice using the Browse button.

Part 1. How to Import Windows Live Mail to Outlook? Complete guide

Firstly, install & run WLM to Outlook converter on a Windows machine.
Now, from the Select Files or Select Folders options, or select convert configured WLM data.
Check the required folders/ subfolders from the panel, and click on the Next button.
After that, Select the Saving Option as PST to import Windows Live Mail to PST.
Enable the Separate PST per user and browse Destination Path using Browse.
Lastly, click on the Next button to import Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST.

Part 2. How to Import Windows Live Mail to Outlook?

First, open Outlook and click on the file.
Tap on open and export and select the Import/Export option.
Select Import from another program or file and tap on Next button.
Choose Outlook data file(.PST) and press Next option.
Browse the PST file as you have converted and select the mailbox folder.
Now, Choose do not import duplicates and click on the Next button.

How to Migrate Windows Live Mail to Outlook Manually?

This procedure can be done manually as well. But it will be hectic for non–technical users. It is recommended to take a backup of the entire data to avoid a data loss scenario. So, let’s begin the steps to import Windows Live Mail messages to Outlook:
Warning: Windows Live Mail is an 32-bit based app, while modern Outlook is reliable for 64-bit. Manual exports will almost certainly offers a MAPI error and crash. Furthermore, the ‘New Outlook’ doesn’t support legacy exports at all.

Open WLM files and right-click on emails.
Choose Open With and select Outlook.
Click on Move to and select your mailbox folder.
You need to repeat the whole process to import each WLM email.

Why User Should Avoid Using Manual Solutions?

As said above, this method is not suitable for batch conversion. There is a possibility that some portion of the data may be lost or hierarchy will not maintained during import Windows Live Mail to Outlook PST. Also, users will not be able to import Windows Live Mail to Outlook in bulk. You need to repeat whole process for each.

Hence, it is better to avoid this solution and go with a software solution as manual methods are not safe every time.

Ready to Migrate Your Legacy Emails?

Now you are aware with the right techniques to import Windows Live Mail to Outlook. You can use any solution as we have explained in this post by manual and using Windows Live Mail to PST Converter. Manual approach is reliable when you are dealing with few emails. On the other hand. Windows Live Mail to Outlook Converter fully reliable for batch migration with preserve email folders structure, attachments, metadata without worrying about data loss or compatibility issues.