How to Download Gmail Emails to Hard Drive – Top 3 Methods
Jackson Strong | January 15th, 2023 | Email Migration
“After using Gmail for the last 5 years, now it’s time to create a backup of it. Since I am not good with technical stuff, can anyone suggest to me how to download Gmail emails to Hard drive? I will be very grateful, thanks.” – Rachel McAdams (United States)
“How do I archive Gmail to hard drive? Please share any reliable way to do that.” – John Meillon (Canada)
Are you looking for a complete and easy guide to backup Gmail emails to hard drive? Stay here and follow through with this beginner’s guide. You will learn how to save emails from Gmail to Hard drive with attachments easily.
Ways to Download Emails
Method 1. Save Gmail Emails to Hard Drive Directly
Method 2. Download Emails using Google Takeout (Free)
Method 3. Backup Gmail to Hard Drive Using Outlook (Free)
Choose the solution that is suitable for your requirement. At the end of this article, you will be able to export emails from Gmail to Hard Drive with complete emails and attachments.
Method 1. How to Backup Gmail Emails to Hard drive
This is a free way to save emails from Gmail to Hard drive with attachments. Also, the tutorial is very simple and easy to understand.
Step 1. First of all Sign in to your Google Takeout service.
Step 2. Select Gmail from the list and click Next.

Step 3. Choose File Format i.e. Zip and click Create Export.
You will receive a download link to your respective email address. After downloading the file, copy that to your External Drive.
Drawbacks
- Save only Inbox Folder
- No Email Filter Option
- Take 2 to 4 Days to generate a download link
Method 2. How to Save Gmail Emails to Hard drive Using Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is the most common and widely used desktop-based email client. If you are looking for a free solution, then you must install this email application on your PC. As we need this email client for the upcoming segment,
Steps to download Gmail emails to Hard Drive with attachments
Step 1. Open MS Outlook application.
Step 2. Click Add Account from the File menu.

Step 3. Submit the necessary details of your Gmail account and click Finish.

Step 4. After configuring your Gmail account, click the Open and Export menu.

Step 5. Click Export to a file.

Step 6. Choose the mailbox folders that you want to download.

Step 7. On the next window set the target location i.e. your external hard drive.
Step 8. Click Finished and MS Outlook to export Gmail to Hard Drive with attachments.
This is another way to backup Gmail emails to an external hard drive. Unfortunately, it had a few drawbacks as well.
- Time-Consuming Process
- It May take up to 1 to 2 days for email sync
- Outlook Installation Is required
- No Email Filter Option Available
Method 3. Download Gmail Emails to Hard Drive Directly
Check out Advik Gmail Backup Software, and download and install it on your Windows machine. With the help of this utility, you can transfer or export emails from Gmail to Hard drive directly. This feature-loaded program is very handy and lightweight that you can easily operate it. Besides this, it features various advanced options that surely impress you.
- Maintain Folder Hierarchy
- Preserve Email Elements
- Save Gmail emails with attachments to Hard drive
- Email Filter Option
- Folder Selection Option Available
- Convert Gmail to PST, PDF, MBOX, DOC, etc file formats
- Unlimited no. of email downloads
- Workable with Windows 11 and older versions
Follow the steps below to backup Gmail emails to Hard Drive;
Step 1. Run Advik Gmail Backup Software on your Windows Machine.
Step 2. After that, sign in to the software interface through your Gmail Account credentials.
Step 3. Select mailbox folders from the left side that you want to save Gmail emails to external hard drive.
Step 4. Choose any file format that you want to archive emails.
Step 5. Click the destination path and select Hard Drive as a target location.
Step 6. Finally, click the “Backup” button to start the process.
After that, sit back and get relaxed. Let the software handle the rest part. It will start downloading Gmail emails to Hard drive without losing any data.
Conclusion
Till now we had discussed the top 3 ways to download Gmail emails to Hard Drive. While examining the above solutions, I would like to recommend Method 1. i.e. backup Gmail to Hard Drive using Advik Gmail Backup Tool. As the software is the primary secure solution in all aspects. On the other hand, other methods lack some important features that can only be fulfilled by opting for Method 1.
Also Read: Save Gmail Emails to Flash Drive
Frequently Asked Question
How to save Gmail emails with attachments to hard drive?
Choose method 1 in the above tutorial, which offers a complete email backup with attachments. Also, you will get various important features.
How much time the software will take to generate a backup?
The software is programmed with the latest powerful algorithms that work super fast. However, it is entirely dependent on your mailbox size.
Can I download Gmail emails to Hard Drive from a specific date range?
Yes, Advik Gmail Backup Tool offers an Email Filter Option where you can apply a Date Range filter. Now, the software will only export emails from a specific date or month.
Is it possible to Backup Gmail emails to External Hard Drive from any company?
Yes, the software export emails to any external drive of any company.