Convert Maildir to MSG – Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Written By Loic Traves
Approved By Mithilesh Tata
Publish on December 19th, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Robin’s Query: Our company recently decided to migrate the email system from a Linux-based mail server to Microsoft 365 for better collaboration and centralized email management. The old server stored emails in Maildir format, and now I need to access those emails. Suggest a reliable way to convert Maildir to MSG format, keeping the folder structure and attachments intact?

Introduction: Maildir is a commonly used email storage format that is used by email servers and clients like Postfix, Dovecot, and Thunderbird to store each email as a separate file. On the other hand, MSG is an MS Outlook file that stores individual emails with full metadata and attachments. Therefore, users convert Maildir file to MSG to access, share, and manage their Maildir emails in MS Outlook easily. If you also want the same, this write-up will provide you with two effective workflows for conversion, including the ConverterTools Maildir Converter for quick conversion.

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Why Convert Maildir to MSG?

Users can access their Maildir emails directly in MS Outlook after conversion.
They can effortlessly migrate from Linux mail servers to Outlook.
Moreover, you can keep your emails and attachments intact in an MSG file.
In addition, you can avoid the complex folder structure of Maildir using a single MSG file.
Also, it becomes easier to manage & share emails easily within the Outlook environment.

Considering the above reasons for conversion, you must export Maildir to MSG. For that, let me introduce you to two effective ways of conversion. Make sure to read the upcoming sections of the article carefully to get accurate results.

Convert Maildir to MSG Using Mozilla Thunderbird

In case you are dealing with a few number of Maildir emails, this is the right approach for you. Here, you have to install Mozilla Thunderbird on your system and use the ImportExportTools NG extension to convert Maildir to Outlook MSG format.

To begin, download & open the Mozilla Thunderbird on your system.
Then, click on (≡) to open the Menu >> go to Add-ons and Themes option.
After that, you have to search for the ImportExportTools NG extension.
Install it >> enable email import and export features.
Next, locate the Maildir directory on your local system that consists of the email data you want to convert.
Now, in Thunderbird, right-click on your email account, select the ImportExportTools NG.
Next, select Import Messages & choose the Maildir format.
After that, you must browse & select the Maildir folder to import emails.
After loading your emails, select the required messages >> right-click on them.
Now, simply choose Export Selected Messages >> EML format.
Next, open Microsoft Outlook & import the exported EML files into an Outlook folder.

Limitations of the Manual Conversion

You can not convert multiple Maildir files in one go.
Moreover, you need to install Mozilla Thunderbird for conversion.
In addition, you must possess technical expertise to perform this method.
Also, there might occur a number of human errors.

Method 2: Best Solution to Convert Maildir to MSG

ConverterTools Maildir Converter is the most reliable software available to convert Maildir files to MSG. This software provides a quick way for file conversion through its user-friendly interface. Moreover, it aims for complete data integrity and accuracy during the conversion. In addition, it provides a preview panel for verifying the data selected before conversion. This software provides a preview window to verify the selected data before importing it. Not just MSG format, but you can also convert Maildir to MBOX, PDF, PST, etc, file formats. Also, you can use various filters like the date range feature, custom folder name, skip previous migration, etc., to refine your data selection as per your needs.

Quick Guide to Convert Maildir to MSG

Firstly, download ConverterTools Maildir Converter on your computer.

Then, load the Maildir files you want using the Select Files/Folders option.

After that, select files from the left panel >> preview attachments in the right panel.

Now, under the file formats dropdown, choose MSG as the resultant format.

After this, you can use the useful features provided.

Next, specify the path to save the resultant file >> hit Convert.

Conclusion

In the above write-up, we discussed how a user can convert Maildir to MSG using different approaches. The first approach was manual conversion using Thunderbird for converting a few Maildir files. On the other hand, the automated solution provided a quick way to convert Maildir files within a few seconds, to enhance the productivity of the user. You can choose either one as per your requirements. If you get stuck anywhere during the conversion, contact our tech support, which is available 24*7 for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.1 Can I convert multiple Maildir emails to MSG at once?

Ans. Yes, you can convert Maildir emails into MSG at once, using the ConverterTools Maildir Converter.

Q.2 Can I convert a Maildir file to MSG without using Outlook?

Ans. Yes, with the help of an automated solution, you can convert a Maildir file to MSG without using Outlook.

Q.3 Can I convert selected Maildir folders or emails to MSG?

Ans. Yes, using the ConverterTools Maildir Converter, you can convert selected Maildir folders or emails to MSG.

Q.4 Does converting Maildir emails to MSG change their formatting?

Ans. No, if you are using the automated solution, converting Maildir emails to MSG will not change their formatting.

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About The Author:

Loic Traves

Loic Traves is a seasoned technical expert who has helped thousands of clients with Microsoft Outlook and various cloud-based email platforms. He enjoys writing about email client backups and migration processes. Passionate about supporting users in need, he strives to provide the latest insights, clear explanations, and practical, user-friendly solutions.