Opening MSF Files

The MSF file type is primarily associated with Thunderbird.

MSF	File extension: MSF
	File type:	mail summary file

What is an MSF file?

MSF files mostly belong to Thunderbird by Mozilla. e.MSF is the file extension for a "Mail Summary File" used by the Mozilla Thunderbird mail client.

File structure: These files don't contain emails themselves, but rather serve as an index of a particular group of emails (such as from a given folder). Thus, they contain everything but the contents of an email, meaning they contain data such as header information and metadata (hence 'Summary'). To save and transport the rest of the email data, Thunderbird uses MBOX files, as well as SBD files (these usually contain sub-folders like 'Draft', 'Sent', 'Trash', etc.).
Compatibility: As the mail client supports multiple operating systems, so do the MSF files. There are even some other mail clients that could read these files as well. AC

How to open MSF files

You need a suitable software like Thunderbird to open an MSF file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your MSF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MSF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MSF File Viewer

Choose your .msf file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How do you convert MSF files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

You can convert MSF files using our online MSF file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do so, click the "Choose your .msf file to view" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert MSF files:

Thunderbird by Mozilla
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MSF files are often referred to as Thunderbird miscs because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
EarthLink (mail store file) by EarthLink
EarthLink is an email service from the internet service provider EarthLink. An MSF is a mail store file that contains the content of emails. The emails are indexed in the mail index file that has the MIF extension. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: EarthLink on Wikipedia, EarthLink Web Mail Support Centre, EarthLink Support Article About MSF Files
Miranda IM (Miranda IM skin file) by Miranda IM Developer Community
Miranda IM is an open-source instant messaging program. An MSF is a custom skin file for the messenger's interface. The file is also used by Miranda NG, which is an independent fork of Miranda IM. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: Miranda IM on Wikipedia, Miranda IM Repository, MSF Files Mentioned in Forum Discussion, Miranda NG Website, Working with Custom Skins in Miranda NG
Netscape Mail (mail summary file) by Netscape
Netscape Mail is an email client that was included in Netscape web browsers. An MSF file is a mail summary file for Netscape Mail. It contains an index of the email messages stored in different mailboxes. This index contains the header and summary of each email, but does not contain the email itself. MSF files use the Mork file format. This file format is classified as Misc. Related links: Netscape Mail on Wikipedia, Netscape Browser on Wikipedia, Mork File Format on Wikipedia
PileUp (multiple sequence file) by Accelrys
PileUp is a program for comparing gene and protein sequences that is a part of the GCG software package for sequence analysis. It was developed by Accelrys, which is now BIOVIA. MSF is the output file for the program, which contains the multiple sequence alignment. This file format is classified as Simple text file. Related links: PileUp Manual, Introduction to PileUp, Description of MSF Files, Archived Page Mentioning PileUp and MSF Files

MSF file format:

Why is it important to know the file format? This is the only way to find out which program to use to open the file. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our evaluation of the MSF files is as follows:

MSF is one of the most common file extensions and includes different formats for different programs. The two most popular formats are as follows:

65% of all MSF files are Mozilla Mail Summary files. If you open these files in a text editor, you can view and read the content yourself. The files are often between 1 KB and 780 KB in size. The file type is old but is used even today. The keywords // , < <(a=c)> // (f=iso-8859-1), scope and sender are typical for these files. An example of a file name is Inbox.msf or Sent.msf. These files can be linked to drafts, trash, mail, gmail, imap, archives, archive, messages and unsent.
15% of all MSF files start with the bytes MSGL crucial for this file format. These files are binary files, so they do not contain text, but only cryptic characters. MSF files can be up to 2 MB in size, but are often around 32 KB - 2 MB. The following keywords are characteristic: MSGL. A common filename is MSGLISTL.MSF or MSGLIST.MSF. These files can be linked to msglists, msglistb and msglista.

All other MSF files (20%) have different formats, often e.g. Multiple Sequence File, SQL, ZIP, WQz, PileUp and mstor. These files are often connected to support, lutron, templates, archiv, items, notes or viper. Just click the "Choose your .msf file to view" button on this page to find out what your MSF file is.

Technical Data for MSF File Extension

File classification:

Misc

Related files:

inbox, mfs, sent, sbd, trash, msfi, sent-1, sent items, zip, drafts, inbox-1, ledger, 1- vhm_ruifigueiredo, msg, pir, unsent messages, eml, mbx, dnd, dat, pcv, ldif, mbox

Mime type:

application/vnd.epson.msf, text/plain

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: Memory Stick Document File

ProgramID: SQLServer.Replication.Datafile
EXEFile: rundll32 %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~3\80\COM\replsync.dll,DllAddSubscription -SubscriberDatabasePath %1

ProgramID: SQLServer.Replication.Datafile
EXEFile: rundll32 %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~2\80\COM\replsync.dll,DllAddSubscription -SubscriberDatabasePath %1

ProgramID: SQLServer.Replication.Datafile
EXEFile: rundll32 %ProgramFiles%\MI6841~1\80\COM\replsync.dll,DllAddSubscription -SubscriberDatabasePath %1

ProgramID: SQLServer.Replication.Datafile
EXEFile: rundll32 %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~4\80\COM\replsync.dll,DllAddSubscription -SubscriberDatabasePath %1

ProgramID: msffile
EXEFile: blank

ProgramID: msffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PianitoStudio\PianitoStudio.exe /open %1

ProgramID: msffile
EXEFile: C:\DOCUME~1\Michael\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Directory 2 for pianitostudio[1].zip\PianitoStudio.exe /open %1

Show all 8 listings To Top

an msf mail summary file is a special file format by Mozilla and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MSF files

Associate the MSF file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open mail summary files. Because only the current version supports the latest MSF file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Mozilla manufacturer website after an available Thunderbird update.
To make sure that your MSF file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .MSF file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.