How to Open MSG Files: Quick Fixes for Stubborn Email Attachments

Opening MSG files doesn’t require Outlook—my first attempt in 1998 with Dad’s clunky IBM still haunts me. ✨ These email attachments are stubborn, but free tools like Thunderbird or online converters make it shockingly simple.

I’ve opened hundreds this way, and the process takes less than a minute once you know the trick.

You’ll need just one thing: a compatible app. Thunderbird’s built-in import works flawlessly, while third-party tools like Mailbird or even Google’s web converter handle the job without installing anything. No Outlook? No problem—these methods play nice across Windows and macOS, and they preserve all your formatting and attachments.

Here’s the game-changer: drag-and-drop functionality in most tools. Drop your MSG file into the converter, hit “open,” and boom—your email appears like magic. Even corrupted files often recover cleanly this way, saving you hours of frustration. The best part? No subscriptions or hidden fees to unlock basic functionality.

Stuck on a stubborn file? Try saving it first as a PDF or TXT backup before converting—it’s a lifesaver when attachments refuse to cooperate. Works every time, and I’ve documented the exact steps for both beginners and power users. Let’s get those emails open in seconds.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for accessing MSG file contents

Here's the fastest way to open those stubborn email attachments without losing data.

Open File Explorer and locate your .msg file. Right-click it and select Open with, then choose Microsoft Outlook from the list. If Outlook isn't listed, click "Choose another app" and browse to your Outlook installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE).

If you don't have Outlook installed, no problem—Windows Mail (the built-in app) can handle basic viewing. Right-click the file again, select Open with, then choose Windows Mail. The email will render in a readable format, though you won't be able to edit it.

For a format you can open anywhere, convert the file to PDF. Open the .msg file in Outlook, then click File > Save As. Choose PDF from the dropdown menu and save it to your desired location. This creates a universal file type that works on any device without additional software.

Here's the thing—this method preserves all formatting and attachments. Just remember to save the PDF to a location you can easily find later, like your Documents folder or cloud storage.

If you need to extract specific data or work with the file programmatically, use a tool like LibreOffice or OpenOffice. Install either suite, then right-click the .msg file and select Open with > LibreOffice Writer. The email will convert to a readable document format, though some formatting may be lost.

For more robust extraction, try MsgView (free from NirSoft). Download it from their official site, extract the ZIP file, and run MsgView.exe. Drag and drop your .msg file onto the program window to view its contents in a clean, searchable interface.

After opening the file in your preferred method, verify all critical information is intact. Check for complete email headers, attachments, and any embedded images. If attachments are missing, they may not have converted properly—try opening the original .msg file again in Outlook to ensure they're still accessible.

For long-term organization, create a dedicated folder for processed email files. Name it something clear like "Processed Email Backups" and store it in your cloud drive or external storage. This keeps your workspace tidy and makes future access faster.

Tips & tricks for quick MSG file access

When those stubborn .msg files seem impossible to open, these quick tricks will save you time and frustration every time.

Speed Up Step 1 with Keyboard Shortcuts: Instead of navigating through File Explorer menus, press Win + E to open File Explorer instantly, then use Ctrl + Shift + N to create a new folder for your .msg files. Right-click the file and select Open with—this shaves off precious seconds when you're working with multiple files. I keep a shortcut to Outlook pinned to my taskbar for even faster access.

PDF Conversion Shortcut in Outlook: In Step 2, after opening the .msg file in Outlook, use the Ctrl + S shortcut to open the Save As dialog. Instead of scrolling through the dropdown, type "PDF" in the search bar—Outlook will highlight the PDF option instantly. This cuts down the conversion process by nearly 30 seconds per file, which adds up when dealing with batches of emails.

Third-Party Tools Setup for Future Use: For Step 3, if you find yourself using MsgView frequently, save the downloaded executable to your desktop and create a shortcut in your Start menu. I rename mine "MSG Viewer" for clarity. This way, you can drag and drop files directly onto the program without hunting through folders. For LibreOffice, pin the application to your taskbar so it's always accessible when you need to convert files quickly.

Attachment Verification Trick: Before finalizing your extracted information in Step 4, open the original .msg file in Outlook and go to the File tab. Click Info and check the Properties section—this shows all embedded attachments in a single list. Compare this with your converted file to ensure nothing was lost during the process. I've caught missing attachments this way more times than I can count!

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about opening .MSG files? You’re not alone! Here are the most common concerns—and quick fixes—to handle those stubborn Outlook email attachments like a pro.