Below are instructions on how to back up emails by forwarding them to another email address as attachments.

✅ OPTION 1: Gmail (Computer/Desktop)

Method 1 – Forward as Attachment (Best Method)

Open Gmail in your browser.
Check the box next to the email you want to save.
- You can select multiple emails.
Click the three dots (⋮) at the top.
Click “Forward as attachment.”
A new email window opens.
In the To: field, type the email address where you want to save it.
Click Send.

Done. The email(s) will arrive as downloadable .eml files.

Method 2 – Drag and Drop

Click Compose to start a new email.
In the inbox, click and hold the email you want to save.
Drag it into the new email window.
It will attach automatically.
Enter the destination email address.
Click Send.

✅ OPTION 2: Outlook (Desktop App)

Open Outlook.
Click New Email.
Go back to your inbox.
Click and hold the email you want to save.
Drag it into the new message.
It will attach as a file.
Enter the email address to send it to.
Click Send.

✅ OPTION 3: Outlook Web (Office 365)

Open Outlook in your browser.
Click New mail.
Go back to your inbox.
Right-click the email you want.
Select Forward as attachment (if available).

If you don’t see that option:

Open the email
Click the three dots (⋯)
Choose Forward as attachment

Enter the destination email and click Send.

✅ OPTION 4: Apple Mail (Mac)

Open Mail.
Click Compose.
Drag the email from your inbox into the new message.
It attaches as a file.
Enter the destination email.
Click Send.

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES

Forwarding normally (just hitting “Forward”) does NOT preserve the original email properly.
You want it attached as a file (.eml or .msg) for full backup.
You can select multiple emails at once in Gmail and Outlook.

📌 Pro Tip (Best for Large Archives)

If saving many emails:

Select multiple emails at once
Use Forward as attachment
Send them in batches (20–30 at a time)

Below are ultra-specific, step-by-step instructions for Outlook on a Windows computer (desktop app) to forward emails as attachments so they are properly saved.

These instructions assume you are using the standard Microsoft Outlook desktop program (not the web version).

✅ METHOD 1 (RECOMMENDED): Drag Email Into a New Message

This is the easiest and most foolproof method.

Step 1: Open Outlook

Double-click the Outlook icon on your computer.
Make sure you are in your Inbox where you can see your emails.

Step 2: Start a New Email

Click New Email in the top-left corner of Outlook.
A new blank email window will open.

Do NOT close this window.

Step 3: Attach the Email You Want to Save

Go back to your Inbox (you can click it behind the new message window).
Find the email you want to forward.
Click and HOLD the email with your mouse.
While holding the mouse button down, DRAG the email into the blank email window.
Release the mouse button.

You should now see the email attached as a file ending in:

.msg

This means it worked correctly.

Step 4: Enter the Destination Email

Click in the To: field.
Type the email address where you want to save the message.

Step 5: Send It

Click Send.

Done.

✅ METHOD 2: Use “Forward as Attachment” (Alternative Way)

If you prefer not to drag:

Step 1: Select the Email

In your Inbox, click once on the email you want.
Do NOT open it — just highlight it.

Step 2: Use the Ribbon Menu

At the top of Outlook:

Click the Home tab (if not already selected).
In the Respond section, click the small More Respond Actions button (it looks like a small arrow or three dots depending on version).
Click Forward as Attachment.

A new message window will open with the email attached as a .msg file.

Step 3: Enter Email Address and Send

Type the destination email in the To: field.
Click Send.

✅ Sending Multiple Emails at Once

If you want to save multiple emails:

Step 1:

Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard.
Click each email you want to include.

Click the first email.
Hold SHIFT.
Click the last email (this selects everything in between).

Step 2:

Right-click one of the selected emails.
Click Forward as Attachment.

OR drag them all into a new message window.

They will all attach as separate .msg files.

⚠️ Important: What NOT To Do

Do NOT:

Open the email and click normal “Forward”
Copy and paste the content
Take screenshots

That will NOT preserve the full original email data.

You must see .msg attachments before sending.

✅ How to Confirm It Worked

When the forwarded email arrives:

You should see attached files.
Each file should end in .msg.
Double-clicking it should open the original email exactly as it was.

Backing Up Email by Forwarding as Attachments