.msg — Microsoft Outlook Message
Microsoft · 1997
An .
Key Features
- Varies storage behavior for typical document workflows
- Common MIME type: application/vnd.ms-outlook
- Recognizable file signature: Non aplicable in a direct sense, as MSG is a structured compound file, not a plain text file with a simple magic byte signature.
- Associated with Microsoft
Best For
- Documents that must preserve layout
- Files exchanged between different apps or devices
- Read-only distribution and printing
Less Ideal For
- Heavy collaborative editing without version control
- Raw assets that still need design changes
- Executable or interactive workflows
Common Use Cases
- Sharing formatted documents across devices
- Archiving business or school files
- Printing paperwork with consistent layout
How to Open It
- On Windows, open the file with Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Outlook Express.
- On macOS, open the file with Microsoft Outlook for Mac or Apple Mail.
- If the file does not open, confirm that the extension really matches .msg and that the download or transfer completed without corruption.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.