Migrating email from Windows Live Mail (eml) to Apple Mail (mbox) #

  1. Install Thunderbird
  2. Open Thunderbird and cancel the automatic setup
  3. Install ImportExportTools
  4. File > Offline > Work Offline
  5. Tools > Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account... > enter any name, address, and password > Continue > Advanced config > OK
  6. Select the Inbox folder in the left-hand pane
  7. Tools > ImportExportTools > Import all messages from a directory > also from its subdirectories > browse to Windows Live Mail top folder (e.g., C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail) > Select Folder
  8. The import process will begin and progress will be displayed in the status bar at bottom
  9. Tools > ImportExportTools > Options > Export directories > check "Export folders as MBOX file" and select a destination directory > OK
  10. Select the desired top mail folder in Thunderbird
  11. Tools > ImportExportTools > Export folder with subfolders (with structure)
  12. The export process will begin. Unlike the import process, progress is not displayed.
  13. When the export is complete, copy the exported data to the Mac and import into Mail (File > Import Mailboxes... > Thunderbird > etc.)

Windows Live Mail contacts can be exported from contacts.edb (generally found within a hidden subdirectory below %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Live\Contacts\) via Nir Sofer's LiveContactsView. Detailed walkthrough.

Related:

/windows | Aug 12, 2015


Subscribe or visit the archives.