How to Import Windows Live Mail to Gmail? Complete Guide
Shivansh Shukla
February 5th, 2026
| “I’ve been using Windows Live Mail for years, but our business recently switched to Google Workspace (G Suite). I need to import all my old emails from WLM into Gmail without losing attachments or folder structure. Is there a reliable way of importing Windows Live Mail to Gmail on Windows 10?” |
| – Robert Bil H., New York |
Introduction: While Windows Live Mail was a dependable desktop email client in the past, it is now a hindrance in the enterprise world. Organizations shifting to SaaS ecosystems and professionals using Gmail face the common hurdle of archived WLM data stored locally in EML files or legacy clients. These file types create inaccessibility, disrupt collaboration, and lock invaluable communication history in a manageable data format.
The best thing to do is import Windows Live Mail to Gmail 2022. It not only modernizes email management but also provides secure and reliable access to important information. In this guide, explore detailed methods to import to Gmail using both free and professional-level EML Converter Tool.
How Transfer Windows Live Mail to Gmail Benefit Users?
This migration from an outdated email client, replaced by Outlook.com in 2013, to the cloud-based Gmail ecosystem has several advantages:
- Global Compatibility: Emails are available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web.
- Advanced Filters: Google’s search algorithm means retrieving legacy emails happens in the blink of an eye.
- Scalability: Great for small businesses moving from desktop clients to a cloud mail environment.
- Future-proofing: Google Workspace offers excellent storage, security, and admin controls.
For IT admins overseeing transitions to a SaaS environment, importing email from legacy clients like WLM is usually the first step toward moving to the cloud. Also, it means you get fast and speedy email services with minimal or no downtime.
DIY Methods to Import Windows Live Mail to Gmail
Well, there are two ways you can perform the data import from WLM to Gmail. It includes:
- With IMAP as the intermediary
- Using EML and Thunderbird as the intermediary
These are briefly described in the following part of this section:
Way 1: IMAP Export Windows Live Mail to Gmail
- Log in Gmail and in Forwarding and POP/IMAP (from Settings), Enable IMAP.
- Next, start your Windows Live Mail (Outlook.com for new), and click on Accounts.
- Then, choose Add New Account and enter your Gmail email and password.
- After that, enter the IMAP server details as:
- Incoming Mail and Port (imap.gmail.com, 993 with SSL enabled)
- Outgoing Mail and Port (smtp.gmail.com, 465/587 with SSL/TLS enabled)
- Once Gmail is configured in the WLM account, the folders appear on the left.
- Further, select the WLM folder you want to import and drag and drop it into Gmail folders.
- Finally, the folders sync automatically, and all the data appears within Gmail.
| Note: You can use this method to export Windows Live Mail to Outlook, too. |
Way 2: EML Import Windows Live Mail to Gmail
- Begin by opening your WLM account. Navigate to File and click Export.
- Then, choose EML Messages and from the prompt box, opt for MS Windows Live Mail.
- After that, select a destination for your EML files and click Save to store them.
- Next, start Mozilla Thunderbird and go to its Account Settings from More.
- There, choose to Add Mail Account and type in the Gmail credentials.
- Follow the process with IMAP details and complete the configuration.
- Later, add the ImportExportTools NG extension to your Thunderbird and restart it.
- Now, right-click on your Gmail folder in the left pane and select ImportExport.
- Then, choose Import EML Files → All Messages from a Directory → Also, from sub-directories.
- At last, browse for the EML files on your PC downloaded earlier and click Open them.
That’s how you manually convert Windows Live Mail to G Suite (Gmail). But there are some drawbacks to it.
Why Not the Manual Way?
- Large and bulky mailboxes take hours or even days to sync.
- Technical knowledge and skill with a stable internet connection are needed for IMAP sync.
- Chances of email duplication are common, and this doesn’t work with corrupted EMLs.
- Folder hierarchy isn’t maintained, and human errors can result in potential data loss.
Conventional Method to Import Windows Live Mail to Gmail
MacSonik EML Converter is an absolute solution for enterprise-level migrations in a practical and accurate way. This software is bound to bulk convert Windows Live Mail legacy emails with attachments all at once in minimal time. Also, it keeps the data secure, hierarchy maintained, and structure preserved the entire time, ensuring no loss happens. Moreover, this tool can save EML files in 12+ file formats and many other email clients with full ease and no restrictions. Like, you can swiftly import Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird.
| Ideal for: Business, IT Consultants, Professionals, and Individuals managing high-volume email migration. |
Steps to Import Windows Live Mail into Gmail Account
- Start the EML Conversion Tool and click Next to choose files.
- Then, select your WLM .eml folders from the system, load them, and tap Next.
- Further, in the preview panel, pick folders from the tree hierarchy and check them.
- Later, choose those to import and click Next to opt for the Gmail client in the list.
- Lastly, complete the Sign In, apply the filters, and click Convert to transfer the data.
Conclusion
Import Windows Live Mail to Gmail to solve the problem between both desktop email clients that are out of date and modern email workflows that thrive in the cloud. Individuals may use manual methods that utilize IMAP, but organizations and IT professionals can automate the process with a dedicated tool like the MacSonik EML File Converter. The end result is a faster, secure, and easy migration to Google Workspace (Gmail) without missing any email during the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: No, Microsoft ended support for WLM years ago and replaced it with Outlook.com. But archived EML files can still be used for importing Windows Live Mail to Gmail using manual and automated methods.
Ans: Yes, if you use the professional MacSonik EML Exporter, all attachments, formatting, etc, are preserved when migrated. Professional tools have more accuracy and are faster than manual methods to transfer Windows Live Mail to Gmail.
Ans: Google has recognized security concerns, and so, Two-factor authentication (2FA) is usually required for data safety reasons. Windows Live Mail (WLM) is an alternative to your standard email secure app, which is why it may provide errors in the sign-in flows. To fix WLM email connections with Gmail, you just have to follow a few steps:
– Enable Two-Factor Authentication on your Google account
– Create an App Password.
– Turn on IMAP in your Gmail settings
– Finally, ensure your Gmail account allows unsafe apps to access.
About The Author:
Shivansh Shukla is a technical content writer who researches and provides reliable solutions to help users resolve their problems. He offers effective procedures for email migration, data backup, and file conversion for all technical and non-technical users.
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