Opening an MSG File

The MSG file type is primarily associated with Outlook.

MSG	File extension: MSG
	File type:	email message

What is an MSG file?

MSG files mostly belong to Outlook by Microsoft. An MSG file is an individual email message created by Outlook or Exchange email management software. Pegasus Mail saves messages to be sent later in a different type of MSG file. Firebird database management system uses an MSG file to store error messages. MSG is also the filename extension of a text-encoded message generated by Inno Setup. Tcl/Tk graphical user interface development environment and language saves messages in MSG files. Any plain text editor can open a text-encoded MSG file.

How do you open MSG files?

You need a suitable software like Outlook to open an MSG 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 MSG file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MSG file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MSG Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert MSG files:

Outlook by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MSG files are often referred to as Outlook simple text files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Abaqus/CAE (status message) by Dassault Systèmes
Abaqus/CAE is a computer-aided manufacturing software with finite element modelling, visualization, and process automation capabilities. It saves a status message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
Exchange (email message) by Microsoft
Exchange is a cross-platform email, contacts, and calendar management software for Windows. It saves an individual email message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file. Related links: Outlook Item (.msg) File Format, Microsoft Outlook Item (MSG)
Firebird (error message) by Firebird Project
Firebird is an open source, cross-platform relational database management system with SQL support. It saves an error message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
FoxPro (message) by Microsoft
FoxPro is a discontinued database management system and object-oriented programming language. It saves a message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
Inno Setup (message) by Jordan Russell
Inno Setup is a customizable program installer for Windows desktop operating system. It uses an MSG file to store messages. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
OS/2 (help message) by IBM
OS/2 is a discontinued operating system with a graphical user interface. It saved help messages in MSG files which can be read by its HELPMSG.EXE tool. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
OzWin (message) by CompuServe
OzWin is a discontinued Windows application for accessing CompuServe email servers and forums. It saves a message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
Pegasus Mail (saved message) by David Harris
Pegasus Mail is a free email client for MS-DOS, Windows, and macOS. It saves messages which are to be sent at a later time in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
PM Mail 2000 (email message) by Blueprint Software Works
PM Mail 2000 is a discontinued email management software for Windows operating system. It saves a message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
PM Mail/2 (email message) by Stichting VOICE
PM Mail/2 is a discontinued email client software for OS/2 operating system. It saves an email message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
Sublime (program message) by Sublime
Sublime is a cross-platform text editing application for PCs. It can be used to read MSG files containing messages saved as text. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
TapCIS (captured message) by TapCIS Developers
TapCIS is a discontinued software client for CompuServe forum and email services. It saves a captured message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.
Tcl/Tk (message) by Tcl Core Team
Tcl/Tk is a cross-platform graphical user interface development and programming environment. It saves a message in an MSG file. This file format is classified as Simple text file.

MSG format details:

If you know the file format, you can also find out how to open or edit the file. The initial characters of a file are called signature, sometimes also referred to as "magic bytes". The signature can be used to infer the file format. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. When there is a problem with a file, the first step to solving it is to determine the file format. Below you will find our evaluation of the MSG files:

The MSG file extension is quite widespread and mainly uses a special format. However, the following two file formats are common:

80% of all MSG files are based on the Microsoft Compound File format, also known as Compound File Binary File format (CFBF or CFB) or OLE2 Compound Document format. This Windows file format has features similar to those of a filesystem format with virtual files and subfolders. Header signature for the CFB format with 8-byte Hex value D0CF11E0A1B11AE1 (which looks like "DOCFILE"). There is also a unique Windows component object identifier (CLSID) which is 00020d0b-0000-0000-c000-000000000046 or 0006f046-0000-0000-c000-000000000046. Sections and streams in the file have names like =, __nameid_version, __substg, __properties_version, __recip_version and __attach_version. The files are on average 150 KB in size and range from 33 KB to 1 MB. This file type is based on cutting-edge technology. These files are attributed to message, attachment, mime, email, external, request, your, report and mail.
2% of all MSG files start with the bytes 1 Abaqus crucial for this file format. The contents of these files can even be read by a human. The files are 7 KB to 16 MB in size, with a median of 300 KB. The keywords Date, Time, Abaqus 6 and For use by Supplied by Team-SolidSQUAD under license from Dassault Systemes or its subsidiary are typical for these files. The file name Job-1.msg is typical for these files.

The remaining 18% of all MSG files are files with no common format, the following 9 formats can be found: Inno Setup Messages, XML, Abaqus and created. Files like these are sometimes linked to created, update, data, confirmation, application or order. Just click the "Choose your .msg file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your MSG file is.

Technical Data for MSG File Extension

File classification:

Simple text file

Related files:

ole2, cid, mgs, mime-attachment, msn, hsh, msq, mime, msi, record_msg, rpmsg, smg, eml, check, exec, messages, ole, msc, msd, nrl, sig, p7s

Mime type:

application/vnd.ms-outlook, application/x-norton-msg

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: msgfile, FileType: Mail Message, AppName: Microsoft Exchange EXE

ProgramID: msgfile, FileType: Outlook Item, AppName: Microsoft Office Outlook

ProgramID: msgfile, FileType: Outlook Item, AppName: Microsoft Outlook
EXEFile: OUTLOOK.EXE

ProgramID: The Bat! message file, FileType: Internet E-mail Message, AppName: thebat
EXEFile: thebat.exe

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office 2003\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office\OUTLOOK.EXE /f

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office\outlook.exe /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office_XP\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Outlook\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Windows NT\Windows Messaging\exchng32.exe /f %1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: W:\OfficeXP\FILES\PFILES\MSOFFICE\OFFICE10\OUTLOOK.EXE /f %1

ProgramID: The Bat! message file
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\The Bat!\thebat.exe /nologo /o:%1

ProgramID: VuePrint
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\vuepro32.exe %1

ProgramID: The Bat! message file
EXEFile: C:\_Andrzej\Progr\Bat\thebat.exe /nologo /o:%1

ProgramID: The Bat! message file
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\Program Files\The Bat!\thebat.exe /nologo /o:%1

ProgramID: msgfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office 2007\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE /f

ProgramID: Outlook.File.msg
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE /f

ProgramID: Mancala.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\eGames\Mancala\MVPMAN~1.EXE

ProgramID: Outlook.File.msg
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office2007\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE /f

ProgramID: ScientificWordDocument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\sw41\sciword.exe /IC:\sw41\sciword.ins

Show all 22 listings To Top

an msg email message is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MSG files

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