We recently see how easy it is toopen MSG files created by Outlookto keep open email , task , or event entries on screen background and vane . But if you could not open MSG files with Outlook , what option do you have ? We do partake in some third - party apps in the radio link above , but what you really require to do is figure out why MSG file is not opening with Outlook and how to ready it . This is where this guide comes in .

Table of Contents

1. Open MSG File With Same Outlook Version

It by all odds does n’t aid that Outlook has so many version floating around . If you know for sure that the MSG file was created by Outlook 2019 , then utilize the same version to spread out it too . mayhap you have Outlook 2016 installed ? Note that it is not potential toinstall and run two versions of Office(Outlook is part of Office cortege ) on the same machine . That go forth you two choices .

2. Open Manually

Normally , Windows should be capable to notice the MSG filing cabinet format and change the icon to email in File Explorer . Like so :

So you could simply double - click to open this file with Outlook as Windows has already consociate the MSG Indian file formatting with the correct app . In case you ca n’t see the email logotype or Windows fails to find the right app , right - fall into place on the fileand selectOpen with > Outlookoption .

Doing so will also teach Windows to associate MSG single file format with Outlook app so you do n’t have to right - click in the future . Double - sink in the file should work on fine .

open msg file with outlook on windows

3. Set Default App

Sometimes , Windows simply miscarry to ready the default app mechanically due to a bug or some other error . And so you’re able to not open MSG files with Outlook . But you could do so yourself too . Let ’s set Outlook as the default app for MSG file type .

1.PressWindows+Ito open configurations and search forChoose a nonremittal app for each eccentric of fileand open it .

2.Search forMSG in the search barand selectOutlookbelow to set it as the default option app . In my case , it is already select .

choose a default app for each file type in windows settings

4. Disable 3rd Party Antivirus

So your trusted antivirus may have flagged the MSG file as a virus , preventing File Explorer from opening it . Did you see a card or pappa - up from the antivirus to that consequence ? Check Action Center ( Windows + A ) . If that ’s the pillowcase and you have a go at it the file to be safe , whitelist it . If not then scan the file cabinet manually once and then open it . Finally , simply handicap the antivirus temporarily and reach the file .

5. Disable Outlook Add-ins

Outlookadd - ins are integrationsdeveloped by third - political party app developers to help oneself users mix and employ such apps with Outlook . However , such add - Indiana are live to cause all sorts of issues including the one where Outlook ca n’t open up MSG files on Windows . handicap them all and enable one at a time to find the one that ’s causing the struggle .

1.Open Outlook and go to theFile tab > Options .

2.SelectAdd - Inson the left side . Towards the bottom , you should see aManageoption . SelectCOM Add - Insin the drop - down menu and click onGo .

select outlook as default app for msg file format in windows settings

3.Nowde - select all lend - insand clickOK .

4.Restart Outlook and confirm whether you may afford MSG file with Outlook now . If not , re - enable one add - inat a time .

6. Clean Outlook Temp Files

Deleting temporary worker files write by Outlook app can give a new life to the app by deleting old , corrupt file cabinet that may be do conflicts .

1.PressWindows+Eto enter the File Explorer andenter the path belowin the address bar :

2.PressCtrl+Ato select all file inside the booklet and then pressDeletebutton to delete them . Rebootyour computer and confirm whether you could open up MSG file with Outlook now .

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7. Update Windows and Office

Updating Windows OS and then Office app to the late version can help iron out several bugs and errors .

To update Windows OS :

1.PressWindows+Ito open options and go toWindows Update . Check for updates and if any , download and set up them . You will then be call for to re-start your computer as you could see in the screenshot below .

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reflex update for Microsoft Office is enabled by default . But if you want to learn and update manually :

1.If you have instal Office fromMicrosoft Store , just open it and go toLibraryto balk for updates for all apps instal from Store .

If you have installed directly using setup Indian file , you could check for update for individual Office apps . To do that :

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1.Open Outlook and come home onFile > Account > Update Optionsand tick onUpdate Nowfrom the list .

To give you an example , I am manually updating Word here but the step work the same for Outlook and any other Office app .

8. Enable/Disable Unicode Format

How was the Outlook electronic mail file cabinet saved is also of import . Turns out there are two — MSG and Unicode or ANSI where the latter is used by some aged translation of Outlook . At the meter of preserve the Outlook email , you’re able to choose save the data file asOutlook Message Format - Unicode ( .msg)toOutlook Message Format ( .msg)in theSave as typedrop - down menu . Ask the transmitter to resend the Indian file in the other format also .

If the email lies in your Outlook , play along the steps below to vary the file format from MSG to MSG in ANSI data format and frailty versa .

To transfer Outlook configuration in 2010 and late versions :

searching for outlook folder in registry editor

Go toFile > option > Mailand enable or disable optionUse Unicode Formataccordingly in theSave messagessection .

Make changes and then examine start the Indian file again with Outlook . The file type you practice to economize and open up the e-mail will count on the Outlook version you are using too .

9. Rebuild Extend.dat File

Extend.dat is a file cabinet created by Outlook . It is possible that the file is corrupted go to MSG filing cabinet error . But there is a simple agency to force Outlook to recreate the file from dinero .

1.Close Outlook and all other apps run on your computer . PressWindows+Eto open File Explorer andsearch for extend.datfile using the lookup legal profession .

2.Rename every filethat you found to extend.old . just select the Indian file and press F2 to do so . Now relaunch Outlook and try open that MSG file .

update windows OS in windows settings

10. Repair Office

Windows has a built in function to repair and reset apps that can facilitate several common and sometimes serious issues . mend your Office rendering to see if it help . In my case , it ’s 365 version .

1.PressWindows+Ito open options and go toApps > Installed apps .

2.Search for your instal interlingual rendition ofOfficeapp , select thethree - dot iconand selectModify .

update apps in microsoft store on windows 11

3.In the pop - up that follows , you will have two alternative — Quick RepairandOnline Repair . First try warm mending as it will run through less sentence and works offline . If Outlook still ca n’t open MSG data file , attempt online reparation which learn more prison term and needs a stable internet connection . Click onRepairbutton when done selecting an option . You may need to reboot your calculator so save all open work / Indian file .

What’s Your Outlook

Outlook is a complicated app with so many versions floating around the web and multiple file extensions that it works with . But that ’s always been the cause with Microsoft . They always had two version of Skype too . Coming back to the MSG file misplay on Outlook in Windows , the error should have been resolved by now . It ’s mostly a case of wrong Outlook node or some bug . But as noted in the possible action paragraph , you do n’t postulate Outlook to open MSG file .

Take this chance to learn how you canchange Outlook vieworjoin the grim side .

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