An MSG file is an email, note, appointment, or any other single message item formed or saved within Microsoft Outlook. These files include metadata information along with the message.

For instance, an email MSG file would comprise not just the email text but details of the sender, recipient, subject, time, links, attachments, and more. Regardless of its format, you may open MSG files with a double-click, just like with any other file.

But, if that doesn’t give you access to the file, there are other ways to get you there. Likewise, you may open MSG files with or without Outlook. If you want to learn how to do that, this article is what you’re looking for.

double-click-on-the-msg-file

How to Open MSG Files With Outlook?

With Outlook installed on your device, you may open MSG files in three manners. In normal situations, adouble-clickis enough to access the MSG file. But, for this, you must have set Microsoft Outlook as the default mail client.

Otherwise, you may right-select the MSG file. And, then, selectOpen Withfrom the context menu and chooseOutlookand hitOKto preview the file.

Likewise, a simpledrag and dropaction (or copy-paste) of the MSG file onto the Outlook inbox also opens the file.

Online-MSG-file-converter-1024x318

How to Open MSG Files Without Outlook?

If you wish, you may open MSG files without Microsoft Outlook too. For this, you will need online tools that convert MSG files to other formats that will likely open on your device.

Or, you may opt for third-party apps to open MSG files. Read further to learn how.

Online MSG File Converter

The other way to open MSG files without Outlook is by converting MSG to a different file format. For the conversion, you may take help from online MSG file converter tools.

set-default-mail-to-outlook-1024x475

If you search online, you will get many tools offering MSG file conversion services. Zamzar, Aryson, and Xtraxtor may prove to be a few good choices to convert the MSG file.

Once you select your preferred MSG file converter tool, you may export the MSG file. Then, the next thing would be to turn them into a different file format like PDF, Doc, etc.

Third-party MSG Viewer Apps

restart-windows-explorer-1

modify-office-apps