If you are looking for backup email Windows Live Mail methods, there are several ways to do it. You can use the built-in Windows Live Mail export option, manually copy the Windows Live Mail data folder, or use a dedicated Windows Live Mail backup tool for larger backups.

Table of Contents Hide
    1. What Is Windows Live Mail?
    2. Why Should You Backup Windows Live Mail Emails?
    3. Where Does Windows Live Mail Store Emails?
    4. How to Backup Email in Windows Live Mail?
    5. Method 1. Export Emails Using Windows Live Mail
    6. How to Backup Emails From Windows Live Mail to an External Hard Drive?
    7. Method 2. Manually Copy the Windows Live Mail Store Folder
    8. Method 3. Save Windows Live Mail Emails as EML Files
    9. Method 4. Backup Windows Live Mail Using a Dedicated Windows Live Mail Backup Tool
    10. What Is Included in a Windows Live Mail Backup?
    11. How to Backup Windows Live Mail Emails Before Reinstalling Windows?
    12. How to Restore Windows Live Mail Emails From a Backup?
    13. Author’s Verdict

In this discussion, I’ll explain each method, what gets backed up, and how to restore your emails later. I guarantee you’ll have all the answers related to this query by the end of this discussion.

Let’s start with the basics so that beginners can understand what we’re going to discuss.

Quick Answer: How to Backup Emails From Windows Live Mail

If you simply want the quickest method, follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Click File.
  3. Select Export email.
  4. Select Email messages.
  5. Select Microsoft Windows Live Mail.
  6. Choose an empty folder on your computer.
  7. Select the folders you want to back up.
  8. Start the export.
  9. Copy the exported folder to an external drive.

What Is Windows Live Mail?

Windows Live Mail was a desktop email client that helps manage messages from accounts such as Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail, and other email services from it.

Although Windows Live Mail was discontinued on January 10, 2017, many users still use or have access to their @live.com accounts. They include important emails stored in its local folders and want to preserve them before moving to another email application.

Backup Email Windows Live Mail

Windows Live Mail was Microsoft’s desktop email application and part of the Windows Essentials software suite, which runs on Windows systems.

Windows Live Mail could work with common account types such as:

  • POP3
  • IMAP
  • Some Microsoft email services
  • Other third-party email accounts

For backing up emails smoothly, it is recommended to use the IMAP protocol, which is the best approach for this Windows Live Mail backup.

Additional source: How to backup Outlook.com?

Also Read: Resolve Windows Live Mail Not Showing Emails In Inbox Issue

Why Should You Backup Windows Live Mail Emails?

As we know, Windows Live Mail is discontinued, so keeping emails in it can cause data loss due to operating system upgrades or hardware failure.

A Windows Live Mail backup can help you:

  • Make data accessible, even if it is deleted from Windows Live Mail
  • Help migrate Windows Live Mail to another email service like Outlook
  • Keep a second copy on an external hard drive or USB drive
  • Make it easier to move Windows Live Mail emails to another computer

A backup is mainly important for POP accounts, because messages downloaded to the computer do not always remain available on the mail server. They can be deleted for any reason.

So, it is always recommended to configure Windows Live Mail with IMAP settings to sync emails with other email services.

Where Does Windows Live Mail Store Emails?

Before backing up the Windows Live Mail emails, it is necessary to know where they are. So, Windows Live Mail stores its local mail data under the user’s Windows profile.

A commonly used Windows Live Mail data location is:

C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail

For example:

C:\Users\Olivia\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail

The AppData folder is hidden by default, so you need to enable Hidden items in File Explorer.

How to Backup Email in Windows Live Mail?

There are four practical approaches I found and tried:

  1. Export emails using Windows Live Mail
  2. Copy the Windows Live Mail store folder
  3. Save individual emails as EML files
  4. Use a dedicated Windows Live Mail Backup Tool

Let me share each method’s steps and details below.

#Method 1. Export Emails Using Windows Live Mail

There is a built-in export feature in Windows Live Mail, which is a free and simple way to create a backup.

Here are the steps to backup Windows Live Mail emails:

  1. Open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Click the File menu.
  3. Select Export email.
  4. Click Email messages.
  5. Select Microsoft Windows Live Mail as the export format.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Select an empty folder where to temporarily save the exported messages.
  8. Choose All folders or select the required folders.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Click Finish.

Your exported messages will be stored in the selected location.

One thing I’d suggest is to first create an empty folder on the local computer, such as the Desktop, and export the messages there. After the export finishes, copy that folder to your final backup location, such as an external hard drive. This is my personal tip; you can consider it if you want to make this backup hassle-free.

Related article: How to Archive IMAP Email?

How to Backup Emails From Windows Live Mail to an External Hard Drive?

If you want to save Windows Live Mail directly to an external hard drive, then follow this workflow:

  • Connect your USB hard drive to the computer.
  • Create a temporary folder, something like:
Desktop\WLM Backup
  • Export from Windows Live Mail

File > Export email > Email messages

Choose the Windows Live Mail format and select the temporary folder.

  • Select the required folders and let Windows Live Mail complete the export.
  • Once the export is finished, copy the entire backup folder from the Desktop to your external hard drive.

For example:

External Drive > Windows Live Mail Backup:

  • Inbox
  • Sent Items
  • Drafts
  • Other Folders

#Method 2. Manually Copy the Windows Live Mail Store Folder

Another approach is to back up the entire Windows Live Mail data folder.

The commonly used location is:

C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail

Microsoft community discussions have recommended copying this complete folder when users want to preserve the Windows Live Mail local store.

For this, follow these steps:

  1. Close Windows Live Mail.
  2. Open File Explorer.
  3. Enable Hidden items if necessary.
  4. Navigate to:
C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\
  1. Locate the Windows Live Mail folder.
  2. Copy the entire folder.
  3. Paste it onto an external hard drive or another safe location.

Also read: I Accidentally Deleted My Mail App

#Method 3. Save Windows Live Mail Emails as EML Files

EML is an individual email file format. Each email is stored separately, which I found okay. But not for large data, as it consumes more space, and managing multiple EML files is a hectic task.

However, this method preserves both email and attachments, so you can consider this if you want to back up a small data set.

Follow these steps to backup Windows Live Mail:

  1. Open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Open the folder containing the required messages.
  3. Select one or more emails.
  4. Drag the selected emails to a folder in File Explorer.
  5. Copy those files to your backup location.

This method is useful when you only need to preserve a small number of important messages. Still, drag-and-drop is the simplest approach for users of any skill level, so you can consider this also.

#Method 4. Backup Windows Live Mail Using a Dedicated Windows Live Mail Backup Tool

If you have a large number of emails or multiple mailboxes to back up, manually exporting messages from Windows Live Mail can be time-consuming. In such cases, SysTools Email Backup Software is the best option.

The software allows users to back up mailbox data from supported email accounts and save emails locally in multiple formats, including PST, PDF, MBOX, EML, and MSG. It can also preserve email folders and attachments during the backup process, depending on the selected source and export format.

You can try this for free on Windows 10/11 (64-bit) and macOS. After downloading, follow these steps to backup Windows Live Mail emails along with attachments:

Step 1. Run the wizard and choose the export file format.

Windows Live Mail Backup Tool

Step 2. For specific email export, leverage the Date Filter option.

Date Filter

Step 3. Now, select IMAP Server as Windows Live Mail, and validate permissions.

Select IMAP Server

Step 4. Click on the “Backup Folder Path” option to choose the destination location where to save the resulting files.

Backup Folder Path

Step 5. Press the Start Backup button to initiate the Windows Live Mail backup procedure.

Backup Email Windows Live Mail

What Is Included in a Windows Live Mail Backup?

Depending on the method you choose, your backup may include:

  • Inbox messages
  • Sent messages
  • Drafts
  • Deleted items
  • Junk email
  • Custom folders
  • Subfolders
  • Email attachments
  • Message content
  • Email headers
  • Locally stored messages

However, the exact data preserved depends on the backup method. Still, if you opt for a specialized solution like SysTools, then you can back up all these mailbox items, including attachments, in one go.

How to Backup Windows Live Mail Emails Before Reinstalling Windows?

If you are planning to reinstall Windows, do not uninstall Windows Live Mail and assume your emails will remain safe.

Use this process instead:

  1. Open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Check that the important messages are present.
  3. Export your emails.
  4. Copy the Windows Live Mail store folder as an additional precaution.
  5. Store the backup on an external drive.
  6. Verify that the backup is readable.
  7. Only then reinstall Windows.
How to Restore Windows Live Mail Emails From a Backup?

The restoration process depends on how the backup was created.

If you used the built-in export function, use the corresponding Import function in Windows Live Mail:

  1. Open Windows Live Mail.
  2. Open the File menu.
  3. Select Import messages.
  4. Choose the Windows Live Mail format.
  5. Browse to the exported backup folder.
  6. Select the folders/messages to import.
  7. Complete the wizard.
  8. Check the imported messages.

Restore individual EML files

If you have individual EML files, you can generally open them individually or import/drag them into an email application that supports EML.

Modern Microsoft guidance also confirms that email clients capable of opening EML files can open these messages, although the exact import process varies between applications.

Author’s Verdict

If you only have a small amount of Windows Live Mail data, the built-in Export Email option is a straightforward way to create a backup. But if you want to back up a complete mailbox, then a specialized tool is the best option.

Also Read: Trusted Solution for Windows Live Mail Attachments Not Showing Error