Share this article

Improve this guide

4 Ways to Open EML Files in Outlook

Edit the EML file extension name to view it in your browser

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

An .EML file is not your ordinary PDF or DOC file format. However, since Outlook has native EML support, you should be able to open EML files with ease.

Still, older versions may struggle so if you have problems doing so, this guide will help you.

Can Outlook open the EML format?

Yes. EML, or Electronic Mail Format, is a file extension for sending attachments and can store emails in archive format. This is useful when you want to return to such messages later.

Although EML files are primarily associated with Outlook and Outlook Express, the EML file format is open source. This means that they can also be opened using third-party apps or other email clients.

Newer versions of Outlook, starting from 2010 upwards, can open the EML file automatically within the app. However, earlier versions will require you to tweak your registry settings.

Why can’t I open an .EML file in Outlook?

Below are some reasons why your EML file type may not open in Outlook:

Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s see how you can properly open EML files in Outlook.

How can I open an EML file in Outlook?

1. Open the file within Outlook or Windows Live Mail

2. Edit the file extension

Other browsers can also open the EML file, but using Microsoft Edge is the simplest method because it natively supports the EML file extension.

3. View the file as plain text

4. Use an EML viewer

If you’re not into manual methods, you can opt for an EML converter. Furthermore, manual file conversion can take a significant amount of time, and you risk losing data or ending up with corrupted EML files.

Of course, you can useemail recovery toolswhen youcannot find your PST filesor EML files become unreadable.

A third-party tool will convert your EML to PST or another format of your choice. Such tools come in handy when you have bulk files of this kind and need to convert all of them in a timely manner. To that effect, we have an expert list of thebest EML file viewerfor Outlook mail.

We’ve tackled various ways to open Outlook EML files, so we encourage you to try out one of these methods. Keep in mind that if you’re using an older version of Outlook or Outlook Express, there’s a good chance you will not be able to open EML files natively.

Overall, it should be a fairly easy process. Should you encounter any other issues, such as thedata file cannot be accessed, we have covered the fixes in our comprehensive guide.

That brings us to a close on this article, but keep the conversation going in the comment section with any additional thoughts or queries, and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

4 Ways to Open EML Files in Outlook#

Can Outlook open the EML format?#

Why can’t I open an .EML file in Outlook?#

How can I open an EML file in Outlook?#

1. Open the file within Outlook or Windows Live Mail#

2. Edit the file extension#

3. View the file as plain text#

4. Use an EML viewer#