MSG viewer: open .msg files without Outlook

What is a .msg file?

A .msg file is one email saved by Microsoft Outlook. People create them by dragging a message out of Outlook onto the desktop or into a folder, and they get passed around as attachments, in shared drives, and in sets of records handed over by a company or a court.

The format belongs to Outlook. Without Outlook, Windows has nothing that reads it, and Gmail, Apple Mail and Thunderbird can't open it either. That's why a .msg file often just sits there with a blank icon.

Open a .msg file, step by step

1. Save the .msg file to your computer, for example in Downloads.
2. Drag it onto the box at the top of this page, or click Choose files. Add as many .msg files as you like; they appear in a list.
3. Read the message. The viewer shows the subject, sender, recipients, date and the text. Outlook rich text (RTF) messages are converted so you can read them.
4. Get the attachments. Click Download next to a file, or Download all (ZIP). An email attached inside the .msg opens with Open.

Turn .msg into a file anything can open

Viewing is often not the end. You may need to send the email on, file it, or keep it where Outlook isn't available. The viewer gives you two ways out:

• Save as .eml. Converts the message to the standard email format, with its attachments. Apple Mail, Thunderbird and most other mail programs open .eml files.
• Save as PDF. A print-ready copy with the header and the message. Several .msg files can go into one PDF with Save all as one PDF, oldest first. More on this on the MSG to PDF page.

Works where Outlook doesn't

• Windows without Office, or with a version of Office that doesn't include Outlook.
• Chromebooks, which have no Outlook desktop app at all.
• Work and school computers where you can't install software.
• Linux, and Macs too: see how to open .msg files on a Mac.
• Phones and tablets: open this page in Safari or Chrome and pick the file with Choose files.

Your email stays on your computer

The viewer runs entirely in your browser. Your .msg files are read on your own device and are never uploaded to our server or stored. Only this page and its scripts come from us. That matters for .msg files, which often carry contracts, HR records or legal correspondence.

Limits

• Encrypted messages (S/MIME or Microsoft's rights-protected email) can't be read.
• Pictures from the internet are blocked until you click Load remote images, since they can tell the sender you opened the email.
• Calendar items and contacts saved as .msg open as simple items, without the calendar details.
• Fonts follow your browser, so the layout can differ a little from Outlook.