How to Open an MSG File
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If you received an email saved as a .msg file, open it with Microsoft Outlook when possible. An MSG file is a saved Outlook message that can include the email’s text and attachments. Other email programs may not display the message correctly because MSG is Microsoft’s email format.
On Windows, Microsoft supports opening MSG files in new Outlook if your account has a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. If Outlook is unavailable, a dedicated viewer is another option. Treat online viewers with care: using one sends the message file to a third party.
Open an MSG file in new Outlook for Windows #
Microsoft provides two ways to open an MSG file in new Outlook:
- Open File Explorer and find the
.msgfile. - Right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Outlook (new). You can also drag the file onto the Outlook reading pane.
- To open MSG files by double-clicking, set Outlook as the default app for that file type in Windows.
These steps come from Microsoft’s instructions for opening MSG files in new Outlook. Microsoft says the account needs a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription. If Outlook does not open the file, check that the subscription requirement is met and try Open with rather than double-clicking.
Choose another option if Outlook is unavailable #
A dedicated MSG viewer can display the message without Outlook. For example, the maker of CoolUtils’ online MSG Viewer says it displays message details, body text, and attachments in a browser. The service also says it deletes uploaded files after processing, but that is the vendor’s own claim. Do not upload confidential, personal, or work email unless you are comfortable sharing the file with that service.
A Windows desktop viewer is another option. The maker of Turgs MSG Viewer says its tool opens MSG files and attachments without Outlook. As with any third-party software, download it only from a source you trust and review its privacy and security information before opening sensitive messages.
On a Mac, Microsoft’s documentation covers new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web. Reports in a Microsoft Q&A discussion describe Outlook for Mac attaching the MSG file to a new email instead of displaying its contents. If Outlook for Mac behaves that way, try a dedicated viewer rather than assuming that renaming the file to .eml will work. The two formats store email differently, and renaming alone leaves the message in its original format.
Keep message details when converting #
Keep the original MSG file if you convert it to another email format. Converting to EML can drop Outlook-specific information, such as categories and follow-up flags, because EML does not have fields for those properties, according to Mbox Viewer’s format comparison. If you need the message for records or legal purposes, choose a method that preserves the details you need. Check the converted copy before relying on it.
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.