How to Open MSG File? – Best Methods You Need to Know

Whether you are an IT professional or not, facing issues related to emails, like opening an MSG file, is common these days. Although you can open MSG files easily with the Outlook application, the issue occurs when you need to open these files without Outlook applications.

Hence, the blog focuses on the issue and provides detailed solutions to access your MSG files with or without Outlook. So, get along with us and find the most suitable solutions.

What are the different reasons to open MSG file?

There are several situations which drive users to open their MSG files. Here, we have mentioned the most prominent reasons.

• Users may require extracting attachments, such as documents, images, or other files stored within MSG files.
• Need to view detailed email information, including sender details, timestamps, and email headers for email verification process.
• Restoring archive or backup emails to access past conversations, receipts, or contacts for references.
• IT security professionals and forensic analysts examine MSG files to track phishing attempts, email fraud, or internal data breaches.
• Organizations need to open MSG files to check email records for legal cases, audits, or compliance purposes.
• System administrators frequently analyze MSG files to diagnose email issues, recover lost messages, or repair Outlook data corruption.

How to open MSG files using manual methods?

After analyzing several methods, we have come up with the two best methods to open msg files with or without Outlook. Try them one by one to find the most suitable method for you to access and read MSG files.

Solution 1. Open MSG files using Outlook application

MSG files are easily accessible in the Outlook application. Follow the below-mentioned steps carefully to access your MSG files.

Note: MSG files created with Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007 can’t be opened directly unless the sender saves them in ANSI format instead of Unicode format.

Step 1. Launch the Outlook application in your system.

Step 2. Right-click on the Inbox folder to create a New Folder.

Step 3. Navigate to the folder where MSG files are stored. Then, select the required MSG files that you wish to open.

Step 4. Drag and drop the MSG files to the recently created Outlook folder to access them.

Step 5. You have now successfully opened MSG files into the Outlook application.

Solution 2. View MSG files without Outlook

You can use this method to read MSG files if Microsoft Outlook is not your primary email client. But how to carry out the MSG file open without Outlook application process? Here are the steps to know.

Note: We use the Thunderbird email client to execute the following method. So, first, install and configure the application in your system if it has not already been installed.

Step 1. Open the Thunderbird application in your system.

Step 2. Right-click on Local Folders to create a New Folder.

Step 3. Name the folder and proceed to the Create Folder option.

Step 4. Access the folder where all your MSG files are stored.

Step 5. Select a single file and right-click on it. Then, click on the Rename option.

Step 6. Change the file extension from .msg to .eml and proceed to Yes option. Do the same for all MSG files that you wish to open.

Note: The process will convert all your renamed MSG files into EML format, which are easily accessible in the Thunderbird application.

Step 7. Select all the converted files and drag and drop them to the newly created Thunderbird folder (EML files).

Step 8. Now, you can access your MSG files using the Thunderbird application.

What is the best solution to open MSG files instantly?

Above, we have discussed the most appropriate solutions to open your MSG Files with or without the Outlook application. By going through the detailed guidance, you can easily access your MSG files. However, manual approaches are only applicable when you have a limited number of files.

What if you have large datasets of MSG files? Does it mean you can’t access them?

Indeed, you can access them, but not with manual solutions. For this, you must choose professional tools like Recoveryfix MSG to PST. It helps you convert your MSG files into readily accessible formats like PDFs in a few clicks. No matter what the size or number of MSG files data, the MSG to PST converter software can easily handle it.

Final Takeaway

Hopefully, you have got the adequate knowledge to open MSG files. We have discussed both native and automated solutions in detail. You can opt for the native solutions or the recommended one to view MSG files without Outlook; it totally depends on you. But choosing the professional solution will provide you with greater flexibility. It also allows you to convert MSG to HTML format with ease. Get the free trial today.

Need Help? Check Out These FAQs!

Q- Why is my MSG file not opening in Outlook?
The MSG files may not be opening in Outlook due to incorrect format or an Outdated Outlook version (below 2003). Either update the application or save the file again to solve the issue.

Q- How do I open MSG without Outlook for free?
You can open MSG without Outlook by renaming it to .eml or using Notepad for raw text. In addition to that, you can opt for the recommended solution to convert them instantly into any other format.

Q- Can I open MSG file online without downloading any software?
Yes, you can open your MSG files online using web-based MSG viewers. You can upload and view MSG emails without installing any software in your system. However, experts do not suggest the method because they don’t provide any data safety or security.

Q- How to open MSG files on Mac devices?
Mac users can access the MSG files simply by converting them into PDF format with the recommended software. This will let them access their MSG files independently, as PDFs are easily accessible.

Q- What is an MSG viewer for Outlook, and how does it help?
It is a tool that helps you open, view, and manage MSG files even if the Outlook application is not installed in your system.