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How to Open EML Files in Windows – Free Tools & Methods
If you’ve ever received an email ending in “.eml” and were unable to open it on a Windows computer, don’t worry. You are not alone. The EML file extension is mostly associated with emails saved in the RFC 822 MIME standard format. However, Windows lacks a built-in tool for opening these files, which can be frustrating. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of it. In this article, we will show you some free tools and methods that you can use to open EML files on your Windows computer.
What are EML Files and Why Do You Need to Open them in Windows?
An EML (Electronic Mail) file is an email message saved in the RFC 822 MIME standard format. It contains the entire contents of the email, including the sender, recipients, subject, and body of the message, as well as any attachments. Additionally, EML files can be used for forensics, data recovery, and e-discovery, making them an essential part of email management and communication.
You may need to open EML files in Windows to view specific emails, such as emails saved for archival or legal purposes, or to access attachments contained in emails.
Native Methods to Open EML files in Windows
Every Windows OS comes with a built-in Mail application. Windows 10 & 11 has the default email application called Windows Mail. This may very well be the best email client you can get for free on your PC. You can use Windows Mail to open EML files. Since it is pre-installed with your operating system, it is considered a native method to open an EML file in Windows.
- Double-click on the EML file to open it.
- If it doesn’t work, you will get the option to choose an application to open the file.
- Here, look for “Mail” and select it to open EML files on the Mail app.
- It will open the EML file in the application.
Similarly, Notepad is a simple text editor that comes pre-installed on Windows computers. While it doesn’t provide a full email client interface, you can use Notepad to view the text content of an EML file.
- Firstly, right-click on the EML file.
- Then, select “Open with” and then “Choose another app“.
- At last, select “Notepad” from the list and click the “OK” button to open it.
How to Open EML files in Windows using third-party tools?
If you prefer to use a different tool, there are several third-party options available. Here are a few of the top-rated tools:
#1 Free Email Viewer Tool
Free EML Viewer Tool is a powerful software program that allows users to open EML files without the need for corresponding email clients. It is designed to provide instant access to EML files whether they are stored locally or remotely. Using this application, users can easily view and read the content of EML files including email text, attachments, and metadata. It is a great solution for individuals and businesses looking for a quick and efficient way to open and search emails in EML files on their computers.
Here are the steps you can take to open an EML file with software:
- Download and run the free tool by double-clicking the program icon.
- In the main window, click on the “Open” button to select the folder containing the EML file(s) you want to view.
- Once you click on the folder, the tool will load all the EML files contained within.
- You can use the “Search” option to find particular emails based on different search scopes.
- You can now view, read, and analyze the content after opening an EML file using this free software.
Tip: If you want to save your findings in different formats like PDF file, MBOX file, etc., you can opt to purchase the “Pro” license of the tool.
#2 Mozilla Thunderbird
Mozilla Thunderbird is a free email client that supports the EML file format. You can download and install Thunderbird on your Windows computer to open EML files.
- Once installed, simply double-click on the EML file to open it in Thunderbird (after making it the default email program).
- Or you can right-click on the EML file, then select “Open with”.
- After that, choose “Thunderbird” from the list of available options.
- It will open the EML file on Thunderbird.
#3 Microsoft Outlook
Generally, many Windows users opt for Microsoft Office applications for creating, editing, and managing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, and databases. This suite also includes a popular email client i.e., Microsoft Outlook. You can use Outlook to open EML file on your Windows computer. The process is as follows:
- Once installed, simply double-click on the EML file to open it in Outlook (after making it the default email program).
- Or you can right-click on the EML file, then select “Open with”.
- After that, choose “Outlook” from the list of available options.
- It will open the EML file in Outlook.
Troubleshooting tips for opening EML files in Windows
If you experience any issues when trying to open EML files on your Windows computer, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Check that you have the correct software installed: Make sure that you have a compatible email client or tool installed on your computer that supports the EML file format.
- Rename the file extension: In some cases, the file extension may have been changed or corrupted during the download or transfer process. Try renaming the file extension from “.eml” to “.txt” and then open it. Make a backup beforehand.
Conclusion
There are various ways to open EML files in Windows, such as using an email client, web-based services, or specialized software. It is important to choose the method that suits your needs and preferences while ensuring the safety and security of your data. It is always recommended to scan email attachments for potential malware or viruses before opening them. Overall, opening EML files is the easiest with the free Email viewer application. After all, it is very lightweight, gives plenty of features, and allows you to open multiple EML files at once.