Format of the offloaded Outlook files

Export your emails according to these steps
How to Export Copy of Mailbox from Outlook.com
(extra step is required since this was written - when you go into the settings wheel/cog, you need to click View all settings (at the bottom of the settings window) to get the General > Privacy and Data option)

(Note the Export process is long and painful. The note from Microsoft says " ... up to 4 days to complete"!!!!

Assuming it's downloaded (exported) as a .pst file, download and install eMClient (freeware), import the .pst file and then export the emails as individual .eml files.

Alternatively, you could just setup Thunderbird or eMClient with your outlook.com account (IMAP settings for inwards mail), emails will be populated and you can export as .eml files.

Just got the link. I'll give it a try. Well, it didn't work. I rt clkd on download and it asked how I wanted to open. It listed "outlook" - so I clicked on the file but still no deal. "Must be opened in Outlook". Why the heck does MS make this so obscure and difficult? I will dl emclient. Total frustration.

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I am really having a hard time understanding this nonsense about offloading my emails to an external drive. I downloaded 561MB. When I click on it. It tells me file must be opened within Outlook. How does one do that? If I go to Outlook, the files are not there. What is the issue with this -- I cannot understand why MS has made this so difficult. I guess I'm going to have to print everyone of them out in order to save them - crazy.

You are English - I am American - from Missouri. We always need to be told stuff twice. Thanks. I'll try emclient.

I will check out Thunderbird site and figure it out. Thanks again.