EvolutionLinux
vs
Windows MailWindows
Evolution as a Linux alternative to Windows Mail
Updated
Our verdict
Evolution is a solid replacement for Windows Mail if you need more than just basic email. It handles multiple IMAP/POP3 accounts, offers full calendar support with iCal/ICS, and provides search and backup options. Users who prefer a single, integrated interface for mail, calendar, contacts and tasks will feel comfortable, while those who only want a very lightweight client may find it heavier than necessary.
- License
- GPL-2.0+ and GFDL-1.3
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.62.1 (October 9, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports multiple email accounts (IMAP/POP3/SMTP)
- Calendar integration with iCal/ICS files
- Search across messages
- Ability to export or backup data
- Simple UI that can be hidden behind tabs
What is different
- Includes contacts and task management, which Windows Mail lacks
- Provides built‑in encryption (GnuPG/S‑MIME) not present in Windows Mail
- Offers CalDAV and Exchange Web Services support, beyond basic calendar features
- More configuration options and a larger footprint than the lightweight Windows Mail client
- No native import of Windows Mail's proprietary .eml archive format; conversion may be needed
Opening your Windows Mail files
Evolution can import standard MIME email files (.eml) and iCalendar (.ics) files, which covers most data exported from Windows Mail. However, Windows Mail’s proprietary backup format is not directly supported, so you may need to export messages to .eml first using Windows Mail before importing them into Evolution.
Switching from Windows Mail to Evolution, step by step
- Export your mail from Windows Mail to .eml files (or use the built‑in export to .pst and then convert to .eml)
- Copy any .ics calendar files to a known folder
- Install Evolution from your distribution’s repository or via Flathub
- Open Evolution, run the Import wizard, select Mail and Calendar, and point to the exported files
- Configure your accounts (IMAP/POP3/SMTP) and verify that mail syncs correctly
- Set up any desired filters or keyboard shortcuts
Key features of Evolution
- Integrated mail, calendar, contacts and tasks in one window
- Full support for IMAP, POP3, SMTP, CalDAV, and EWS
- Standard data formats (MIME, iCalendar, vCard)
- Built‑in encryption with GnuPG and S/MIME
- Address book with LDAP and local storage
- Calendar sharing and scheduling via CalDAV
- Mail filtering rules and search
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
How to install Evolution on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Evolutionsudo apt install evolutionsudo apt install evolutionsudo dnf install evolutionsudo pacman -S evolution-bogofiltersudo zypper install evolutionFrequently asked questions
Can Evolution handle Exchange accounts?
Yes, Evolution supports Exchange Web Services (EWS) and can sync mail, calendar and contacts with Microsoft Exchange servers.
Is Evolution resource‑heavy compared to Windows Mail?
It uses more memory and CPU than the very lightweight Windows Mail, but on a modern system the impact is modest.
Will my contacts from Windows Mail transfer automatically?
Only if you export them to a standard format like vCard or CSV; Evolution can then import those files.
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