eM Client Email Backup and Restore

eM Client backup software from Handy Backup provides a flexible way to protect email separately from the complete eM Client database. Instead of relying only on full database snapshots stored as ZIP files, Handy Backup can save messages from an IMAP account as individual EML files that remain accessible directly from your backup storage.

Browse backed-up emails in Windows File Explorer, open individual messages without restoring the entire mailbox, keep multiple backup versions, use timestamps, and choose full, incremental or differential backup methods.

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Why Back Up eM Client?

Built-in Backup Creates a Complete ZIP Snapshot

eM Client already includes a built-in backup feature. It creates a complete archive of the application's data and settings as a ZIP file and allows you to restore this snapshot through eM Client when necessary.

This is useful for complete application recovery, but it is less convenient when you only need to find or recover one particular email from an older backup.

Handy Backup Can Keep Emails as Individual EML Files

When Handy Backup connects directly to an IMAP mail server through the Email plug-in, messages can be stored as separate EML files instead of being available only inside a complete application backup.

This gives you file-level access to email and makes the backup useful not only for disaster recovery, but also as an accessible long-term email archive.

Why EML Backup Gives You More Flexibility

Keeping email as individual files changes the way you can use your backup. Instead of restoring a complete eM Client database just to retrieve one message, you can work with backed-up emails separately.

Access Individual Emails

Each message can remain as an individual EML file. If backup compression or encryption is not applied, you can browse backup folders directly in Windows File Explorer and access the email you need without restoring the complete mailbox.

Restore Only What You Need

Recover individual messages instead of rolling the entire eM Client database back to an earlier state. This makes recovery faster and helps avoid replacing newer mailbox data when only one old email is required.

Incremental and Differential Backup

Handy Backup supports full, incremental, differential and mixed backup methods. Instead of repeatedly creating another complete copy of all selected email data, subsequent backups can process only new or changed data.

Keep Multiple Versions

Preserve several backup versions so an older email can still be recovered even if it was deleted from the current mailbox and the deletion has already synchronized through IMAP.

Use Automatic Timestamps

Handy Backup can create timestamped backup versions, helping you identify when a particular copy was created and locate email data from the required backup point.

Keep an Independent Email Archive

EML files are not tied to one complete eM Client database. Individual messages remain separate files that can be copied, moved and opened with compatible email applications.

eM Client Built-in Backup vs. Handy Backup

The built-in eM Client backup and Handy Backup serve different purposes. eM Client is convenient for creating complete application snapshots, while Handy Backup provides more flexibility when you want an independent and accessible backup of the email itself.

Feature	eM Client Built-in Backup	Handy Backup IMAP Backup
Backup format	Complete database snapshot in ZIP	Individual EML messages
Complete application recovery	Yes	Not the primary purpose
Access individual emails without full restore	No direct access	Yes
Browse email backup in Windows File Explorer	Backup stored as ZIP	Yes, as EML files*
Selective email recovery	Limited by application restore workflow	Yes
Full backup	Yes	Yes
Incremental backup	No	Yes
Differential backup	No	Yes
Mixed backup strategies	No	Yes
Versioned backups	Complete dated backup files	Yes
Timestamped versions	Dated backup files	Yes
Direct IMAP backup independent of eM Client	No	Yes
Backup other PC data	No	Yes

* Note: Direct access to individual EML files is available when the backup is stored without additional compression or encryption.

For complete disaster recovery of the eM Client application, the built-in backup remains useful. For independent email archiving, selective recovery, direct access to messages and flexible backup history, Handy Backup provides considerably more options.

You can also use both approaches together: keep periodic eM Client ZIP backups for complete application recovery and use Handy Backup to maintain an independently accessible EML archive of important email.

Two Ways to Back Up eM Client with Handy Backup

1. Back Up Email via IMAP in EML Format

For users who primarily want to protect email messages, direct IMAP backup provides the most flexible option. Handy Backup connects to the same mail server used by eM Client through the Email plug-in.

Messages can be stored as individual EML files while preserving the mailbox folder structure. The backup works independently of the local eM Client database and does not require eM Client to participate in the backup process.

Keep individual messages as EML files.
Access backed-up messages without restoring the complete database.
Recover selected emails instead of the whole mailbox.
Use full, incremental, differential or mixed backup methods.
Maintain multiple backup versions.
Create timestamped backup folders.
Run email backup automatically on schedule.

2. Back Up the Complete Local eM Client Database

If you also need a copy of locally stored eM Client application data, Handy Backup can protect the complete database folder using the Computer plug-in.

On Windows, the default eM Client database location is:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\eM Client

This approach is useful when you need to protect the local eM Client environment rather than only messages available through an IMAP server.

For a consistent file-level database copy, you can use pre- and post-operation commands to close eM Client before backup and start it again after copying is complete.

Full, Incremental and Differential Email Backup

Unlike the built-in eM Client backup, which creates complete application snapshots, Handy Backup lets you choose different backup methods for recurring email protection.

Full Backup

A full backup copies all selected email data and can serve as the starting point for a longer backup cycle.

Incremental Backup

Incremental backup saves data changed since the preceding backup. This helps reduce repeated copying, time and storage usage when only part of the mailbox changes between runs.

Differential Backup

Differential backup saves data changed since the latest full backup, providing another balance between archive size and recovery simplicity.

Example: Create a full backup on Sunday and run incremental or differential backups from Monday through Saturday. Handy Backup can automate this cycle using mixed backup settings.

Why Versioning Matters for Email

Suppose an important message is deleted on Monday but you notice the problem only on Friday. If the deletion has already synchronized through IMAP, the current mailbox may no longer contain that message.

With multiple backup versions, an earlier copy can still contain the required email. Time-stamped versions make it easier to identify the correct backup point and retrieve older data.

Where Can You Store eM Client Backups?

Handy Backup also lets you choose where copies are stored. Depending on your edition and configuration, you can use local and external drives, USB devices, NAS, network folders, FTP/SFTP/FTPS servers, WebDAV, supported cloud services and S3-compatible storage.

Keeping email backups separately from the computer where eM Client is installed provides additional protection against drive failure, device loss and other problems affecting the original PC.

How to Back Up eM Client Email in EML Format

The most flexible way to protect email used with eM Client is to connect Handy Backup directly to the IMAP mail server using the Email plug-in.

Open Handy Backup and start the new task wizard by clicking the Create button on the Management Panel or using the Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut.
Choose a Backup Task. Enable Advanced mode if you want to configure incremental or differential backup, versioning, timestamps and other additional options.
In Step 2, open the E-mail data group and select the Email plug-in.

Select Email Plug-in for eM Client IMAP Backup

Create a connection to the email account used with eM Client. Enter the required IMAP server address, port, security settings and account credentials.
Select the mailbox folders you want to protect.
Proceed to Step 3 and choose where the email backup should be stored.
In Advanced mode, select the required backup method, such as full, incremental, differential or mixed backup.
Configure versioning and timestamps if you want to preserve multiple historical copies of your email data.
Configure encryption or compression if required.
Set a schedule for automatic email backup.
Assign a name to the task and complete the task wizard.

Note: If you want to browse individual EML files directly through Windows File Explorer, store the backup without additional archive compression or encryption.

How to Back Up the Local eM Client Database

Open Handy Backup and create a new Backup Task.
In Step 2, open the Local or Network Drive group and select the Computer plug-in.
Navigate to the local eM Client database folder. Its default Windows location is:

Default location: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\eM Client

Note: The AppData folder is hidden by default, but Handy Backup displays hidden files and folders during data selection.

Select the complete eM Client folder.

Choose the backup destination.
Configure the required additional settings.
Set a schedule for automatic backup.

In Advanced mode, you can configure programs or batch files to run before and after the task. For example, close eM Client before copying its local database and start it again when the backup is complete.
Assign a name to the task and complete the wizard.

The local database backup and IMAP/EML backup serve different purposes. The database copy protects the local eM Client environment, while IMAP backup provides more flexible access to individual email messages.

FAQ on eM Client Backup

Does eM Client have its own backup feature?

Yes. eM Client includes built-in backup functionality that creates a complete ZIP backup of application data and settings. This is useful for restoring the complete eM Client environment. Handy Backup provides an additional approach by allowing IMAP email to be stored as individual EML files with selective access, versioning and incremental or differential backup options.

What format does eM Client use for its built-in backup?

The built-in eM Client backup creates a complete application backup as a ZIP file. When recovery is required, the selected backup is restored through eM Client.

What format does Handy Backup use for email?

When using the Email plug-in for IMAP backup, Handy Backup can store email messages as individual EML files. This keeps messages separately accessible instead of making them available only as part of a complete application database backup.

Can I open a backed-up email without restoring the complete eM Client database?

Yes. If Handy Backup stores email as uncompressed and unencrypted EML files, individual messages can be accessed directly from the backup folder and opened with compatible email software without restoring the complete eM Client database.

Can I restore just one email?

Yes. An EML-based backup allows individual messages to be accessed or recovered separately. You do not need to roll the complete mailbox or eM Client database back to an earlier state just to retrieve one message.

Can I keep several versions of my email backup?

Yes. Handy Backup supports multiple backup versions and timestamps, allowing you to preserve earlier states of your email data and recover messages that may no longer exist in the current mailbox.

Can Handy Backup back up email without eM Client running?

Yes. For IMAP backup, Handy Backup connects directly to the mail server through the Email plug-in. The eM Client application does not need to participate in this type of backup.

Should I back up the eM Client database or email via IMAP?

Use local database backup when you need a copy of the complete local eM Client environment. Use IMAP/EML backup when you want individually accessible messages, selective recovery, incremental or differential backup, versioning and an independent email archive. You can also use both methods together.