How to Open an EML File
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If you received an email saved as a .eml file, open it with an email client such as Outlook or Thunderbird. An EML file stores an email’s headers, message text, and any attachments. It supports email standards such as MIME, which packages text, images, and files in a message. Wolfram’s EML documentation calls it a text-based email format.
The best method depends on your device. On a recent version of Outlook for Windows, open the file with Outlook (new). If you do not have Outlook, try Thunderbird. A text editor shows the raw message contents, without the email’s formatting or attachments displayed as separate files.
Open an EML file in Outlook for Windows #
In File Explorer, right-click the .eml file. Select Open with, then choose Outlook (new). You can also drag the file into the reading pane in new Outlook. Microsoft’s community Q&A instructions say EML support requires the latest version of new Outlook.
If Windows opens the file in another program, make Outlook (new) the default: go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find Outlook (new), and associate it with .eml files. If Outlook (new) does not appear or cannot open the file, update it or try another email client.
Open an EML file without Outlook #
Thunderbird is a desktop email client that can open EML files. If Thunderbird is installed, right-click the file, choose Open with, and select it. EML opening options described by BitRecover also list it as an alternative to Outlook.
On a Mac, you can use an EML reader from the App Store. For example, OpenEML lists support for opening EML files on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Check the app’s current requirements and privacy details before opening sensitive messages.
One documented way to view a message in Apple Mail is to convert EML files to MBOX, a mailbox format Apple Mail can import. Then choose File > Import Mailboxes in Mail. The Apple Mail import instructions rely on a third-party converter. Conversion can change or omit message details, so keep the original EML file if you need a complete record.
Use a text editor only to inspect the contents #
If you only need to check the sender, subject, or raw message text, open the file with Notepad on Windows or a text editor on macOS. The file contains readable headers and text, along with formatting data and MIME sections. GoldFynch’s overview of text-editor viewing explains that this method does not reliably show HTML formatting or display attachments as separate files.
A browser is also a poor choice for reading most EML files. Chrome may show raw message data rather than a formatted email, and you cannot reliably open the message’s attachments as attachments. Use an email client when you need the complete message view.
Protect private email when choosing a viewer #
Avoid uploading an EML file to an online viewer or converter if it contains private, privileged, or regulated information. An online service receives the message contents when you upload the file. Use a desktop email client or an offline reader instead.
If you convert an EML file to PDF or another format, keep the original. Conversion tools do not always preserve headers, dates, message IDs, and attachments. GoldFynch’s discussion of conversion limits recommends using the resulting file only as a viewing copy when those details matter.
Free and open source
Try mailmd
mailmd is a free command-line tool that copies your email into Markdown files on your computer, one file per message. It works with any IMAP mailbox, and with Gmail and Outlook through their own APIs.
Install
$ curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vincentsch/mailmd/main/install.sh | sh
Set it up with your coding agent
Set up mailmd so you can read my email. Use https://github.com/vincentsch/mailmd: read its AGENTS.md and follow the steps. Connect my mailbox and run the first sync. Then show me where the files are.