MSG files are created by Microsoft Outlook, and MSG stands for Message Storage Format. This article describes what is an MSG file, the different ways to open one, and other such information.
What is the Meaning of an MSG File?
MSG files are items created or saved within MS Outlook. It contains information about the items. Although MSG files are popularly associated with MS Outlook, there are other programs using MAPI that support them.
The MSG format was introduced by Outlook in 2003, and it continues to remain an active format. The purpose of this file is to let Outlook users share different items, such as contacts, appointments, etc.
The information stored in these files differs according to the item contained in the file. Some examples are:
- Appointment – All the appointment details are saved in this file, such as the message, location, and start and end times. The appointment title is saved as the default name of the MSG file.
- Email – One or more email fields are contained in an MSG file, and this includes the sender, date, recipient, subject, and message body. Also, it includes attachments. The name of the file is the same as the subject.
- Contact – Details about the contact are stored in this file, including work information, the full name of the contact, phone numbers, email address, etc.
Similarly, details of upcoming meetings or tasks are stored in MSG files. Hence, these files come in handy when you need to check the information of a specific contact or go through the details of upcoming appointments or tasks. Learning how to open this file effortlessly will save you a lot of time and effort. Continue reading to know more.
How to Open MSG Files?
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On macOS
Microsoft Outlook client is supported by macOS, whether as part of the Office suite or as a standalone application. But the Mac version of MS Outlook has some limitations. One of them is the inability to export or open MSG files.
So, how to open .msg files on Mac? You can use a third-party MSG viewer for this purpose, such as the TextEditor application. You can install the viewer from the App Store, and once installed, open the app from the Launchpad. Then, choose the address book or client app you want to open in the Opening Files section. Select Quick View to quickly glance at the file or choose one of the conversion options to convert the files to another format. Finally, select File > click Open from the menu bar.
You can find and choose the MSG files in the Finder window and click the Open button. This is going to start the conversion process.
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On Windows
Opening MSG files on a Windows computer is a piece of cake. You can open it with Outlook. Access Outlook and double-click the MSG file. The file will automatically open using Outlook.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the file > select Open With > choose Outlook from the options.
If this doesn’t work, you can copy and paste the MSG manually.
How are MSG Files Converted?
Are you using the Outlook email client? If so, you are already aware of the importance of the MSG files and the different data stored in them. But if you are struggling to manage your files, the best solution is to convert the MSG files to another format, such as HTML, PDF, or PST.
MSG files can be converted easily to a format of your choice. Select File > Save As and then select your preferred file format.
How to Create MSG Files?
You can create .msg files with MS Outlook by dragging and dropping appointments, emails, task items, or contacts to a folder on Windows Explorer or your desktop. The files will get saved with the message subject or the appointment title.
What to Do if MSG Files are not Opening?
The .msg extension is straightforward and usually opens without a fuss. However, sometimes, the files may not open appropriately, and then you can troubleshoot by using these tips:
- Change the current configuration on Outlook to solve the issue
- If you are using an antivirus program, you can disable it. An antivirus might restrict the MSG file from opening.
- You can also disable Outlook add-ons.
Summary
In summation, MSG files are a proprietary format used by MS Outlook. These files store appointments, emails, messages, and more. The file extension is .msg, and it can be opened with MS Outlook and other email clients that support this file format. These files can be created easily, and if you are struggling to manage them, you can convert them to different file formats of your choice.
Generally, these files can be opened smoothly and without a fuss. But if you face an issue, you can modify Outlook’s configuration and remove the add-ons.
