How to Download Microsoft Outlook Emails on Web and Desktop

You can download Microsoft Outlook emails without forwarding them to yourself or using a third-party converter. The current Outlook web app has a direct Download command, new Outlook for Windows has Save as, and classic Outlook can save a message through File > Save As. Use a message file when you want to keep one email with its headers and attachments; use a PST export when you need a larger mailbox backup.

Download one email from Outlook on the web

Microsoft now provides a direct download option in Outlook on the web and Outlook.com, so the old workaround of attaching a message to a new email is no longer necessary. Microsoft documents the current behavior in its Outlook message saving guide.

1. Open Outlook on the web, sign in, and select the email you want to save. In the message header, choose More actions (the three-dot menu), then choose Download. You can also right-click the message in the message list and choose Download.
2. Let your browser save the file to its normal Downloads location, or choose a folder if your browser asks. Microsoft says downloaded Outlook messages can be saved as an EML or MSG file, depending on the Outlook experience.

A downloaded message file is different from saving only its attachments. It preserves the email itself, including message content and header information, and attachments remain associated with the message.

Save an email in new Outlook for Windows

New Outlook uses Save as rather than the web app's Download label.

3. Open new Outlook and select the message in the reading pane, or double-click it to open it in a separate window.
4. Choose More actions > Save as, select the folder or cloud location where you want the message stored, rename the file if needed, and choose Save. Microsoft also allows you to right-click the message and choose Save as.

Do not change a file extension just to make the message appear to be another format. If you need to reopen a saved message later, new Outlook can open supported EML and MSG files; Microsoft explains the options in its guide to opening EML and MSG files.

Save an email in classic Outlook

Classic Outlook still uses the traditional Save As window. This is useful when you want Outlook's native MSG format or another file type offered by the Save As dialog.

5. Double-click the message so it opens in a separate classic Outlook window.
6. Choose File > Save As. Pick a destination folder and enter a clear file name.
7. Check Save as type. The default is typically an Outlook message format such as .msg; choose the appropriate available type and select Save.

Export many Outlook emails to a PST file

If your goal is a backup rather than one message, export a mailbox or selected folders to an Outlook Data File (.pst). A PST can contain email and, depending on the Outlook version and export choices, other Outlook data. Microsoft notes that attachments are included when email is exported. See Microsoft's current PST export instructions.

8. In new Outlook, go to Settings > Files > Export, start the export workflow, and select the mailbox or folders you want. In classic Outlook, choose File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
9. For classic Outlook, choose Export to a file, then Outlook Data File (.pst), select the account or folder, include subfolders when needed, and choose where to save the PST. If you want the full classic Outlook mailbox, make sure older mail has been downloaded before exporting; Microsoft's support page specifically warns that cached accounts may otherwise export only locally cached items.

Which Outlook download method should you use?

For most people who only need a local copy of a single message, use Outlook's built-in Download or Save as command. Use PST export when you need a broader backup or migration file. This avoids unnecessary forwarding, preserves the original message more cleanly, and removes the need to upload private mail to an online conversion service.