msg

.msg — Microsoft Outlook Message

Microsoft · 1997

Developer

Microsoft

What is a .msg file?

An .msg file is an email message saved from Microsoft Outlook. It contains not only the email content like text, attachments, and sender/recipient information but also metadata like timestamps and message properties. These files are proprietary to Microsoft and can be opened and managed by Outlook and compatible email clients.

Programs That Open .msg Files

Platform	Program
Windows	Microsoft Outlook	Paid	Official
	Microsoft Outlook Express	Free	Official
	Mailbird	Free
	eM Client	Free
	Thunderbird	Free
macOS	Microsoft Outlook for Mac	Paid	Official
	Apple Mail	Free	Official
	eM Client	Free
	Mailbird	Free

Common Problems with .msg Files

⚠️ Cannot open .msg file on a non-Windows system or without Outlook.

Use a compatible email client like Thunderbird with the Mbox Lite add-on, or an online MSG viewer. Alternatively, ask the sender to forward the email in a plain text or HTML format.

⚠️ Attachments are missing or corrupted.

Ensure you are opening the .msg file with the correct version of Outlook or a fully compatible viewer. Try re-saving the original email and resending it.

⚠️ Error message when trying to open the .msg file.

Verify the file integrity and check if it's a valid MSG file. If corruption is suspected, try recovering it with specialized tools or ask for a fresh copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MSG file?▼

An MSG file is an email message saved from Microsoft Outlook. It stores the email's content, metadata, sender, recipient information, and attachments in a proprietary Microsoft format.

Can I open an MSG file on my Mac?▼

While Outlook for Mac can open MSG files, other Mac applications might require third-party tools or conversion. Apple's Mail app may not natively support it without specific plugins.

Is it safe to open an MSG file?▼

Opening an MSG file is generally safe if it comes from a trusted source and your email client is up-to-date. However, like any email attachment, it could potentially contain malicious content, so exercise caution.

Technical Details

MSG files are typically structured using the OLE Compound File Binary Format, meaning they are essentially a collection of embedded streams representing different parts of the email. They are not plain text and require specific parsers to extract their contents.

Did You Know?

The .msg format is an OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) based format, allowing it to embed various data types like rich text, HTML, and attachments within a single file structure.

Security Information

MSG files can contain embedded scripts or malicious links, similar to other email formats. Always ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date and exercise caution when opening MSG files from unknown or suspicious sources.