Ever wondered what those MSG files on your computer are all about? 🤔 MSG files are unique to Microsoft Outlook, serving as containers for emails, contacts, and more. In this guide, we’ll demystify MSG files for you, showing you not only what they are, but also how to open them in different ways and convert them based on their contents.
Whether you’re dealing with an email, contact list, or calendar entry, we’ve got you covered!
What Is an MSG File?
Ever clicked on a file ending in .MSG and wondered what it was? 🧐 Most likely, it’s an Outlook Mail Message file used by Microsoft Outlook. These files can contain anything from emails and appointments to contacts and tasks.
If it’s an email, the MSG file stores crucial details like the date, sender, recipient, subject, and the message body—which may include rich formatting and clickable links. Alternatively, it could hold information about a contact, schedule details for an appointment, or specifics about a task.
And here’s a fun fact: if the MSG file isn’t linked to Outlook, it might be from the classic video games Fallout 1 and 2, where MSG files are used to store dialogues and messages about the characters.
How to Open MSG Files
Need to open an MSG file but don’t have Microsoft Outlook? No problem! 🌐 While Outlook is the go-to for opening Outlook Mail Messages, there are plenty of other tools at your disposal:
- Desktop Tools: Free Opener, MSG Viewer, MsgViewer Pro, and Email Open View Pro are great alternatives that let you view MSG files without Outlook.
- Cross-Platform Tool: SeaMonkey works across Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering a versatile solution for MSG files.
- For iOS Users: The Klammer app lets you open MSG files right on your iOS devices.
- Online Viewer: Try Encryptomatic’s Free MSG EML Viewer to see MSG files in your web browser. Just upload your file, and it’ll display just like it would in Outlook, hyperlinks and all!
What If the Files Aren’t From Outlook?
For fans of the Fallout series, MSG files might pop up in a different context. These files are located in the \text\english\dialog\ and \text\english\game\ directories of Fallout 1 and 2. But don’t try to open these with standard software; they are accessed by the game itself while you play.
How to Convert to Another File Format
Need to switch your MSG files to a more useful format? Microsoft Outlook has you covered. Here’s how you can transform your MSG files based on their type:
- Emails: Save messages as TXT, HTML, OFT, or MHT.
- Tasks: Convert tasks into RTF.
- Contacts: Turn them into VCF files.
- Calendar Events: Save as ICS or VCS files.
Simply open the MSG file in Outlook and head to File > Save As. Then, select your desired format from the Save as type dropdown menu.
Other Conversion Tools:
- Desktop Software: Filestar supports various export formats for both Windows and macOS. Explore more on their website.
- Online Tool: Zamzar allows you to convert MSG files to PDF, EML, PST, or DOC, directly from your browser, making it accessible on any operating system.
- Linux Command-Line: MSGConvert lets you turn MSG files into EML via command-line inputs.
For Converting Contacts to Spreadsheets: First, convert the MSG file to CSV. Then, import the contacts into Outlook by dragging and dropping them into the My Contacts section. Navigate through File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file > Comma Separated Values > Contacts to save your new CSV file.
Converting Fallout Message Files: Though rarely needed, you can edit Fallout’s MSG files with a text editor and save them in a new format.
Still Can’t Open Your File?
Stuck with an MSG file that just won’t open? While we’ve covered many tools that can handle MSG files, this extension might occasionally be used by other programs we haven’t mentioned. Most likely, it’s still a message file of some sort. If the solutions above don’t do the trick, consider a simple yet effective alternative: open the file in a text editor.
This method can often provide at least a glimpse into the contents, even if it’s not perfectly formatted.
Conclusion
Understanding and managing MSG files doesn’t have to be a hassle. Whether you’re dealing with emails, contacts, tasks, or calendar events in Microsoft Outlook, or even exploring game files from Fallout, knowing how to open and convert MSG files can make your digital life a bit easier.
From using Outlook’s native features to exploring third-party tools like Filestar and Zamzar, you have a variety of options at your disposal. And if you ever find yourself stuck with an MSG file that won’t open, remember that a simple text editor might just be your best friend. With the tips and tools discussed, you’re now equipped to handle MSG files with confidence and ease.
FAQ
What is an MSG file?
An MSG file is primarily an Outlook Mail Message file used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, appointments, contacts, or tasks. It can contain detailed information like sender, recipient, subject, and message body or details about contacts and appointments.
How can I open an MSG file without Microsoft Outlook?
You can use alternative tools like Free Opener, MSG Viewer, MsgViewer Pro, and Email Open View Pro. For multi-platform access, SeaMonkey and Klammer for iOS are also options. Additionally, Encryptomatic’s Free MSG EML Viewer allows you to view MSG files online on any operating system.
What are some ways to convert MSG files to other formats?
Within Microsoft Outlook, you can convert MSG files to various formats such as TXT, HTML, OFT, MHT, RTF, VCF, ICS, or VCS depending on the type of content. External tools like Filestar and Zamzar offer broader format conversions, including to PDF, EML, PST, and DOC.
Can I convert MSG files on Linux?
Yes, MSGConvert is a command-line tool available for Linux users that can convert MSG files to EML format.
What should I do if I can’t open an MSG file with the suggested tools?
If typical email programs and tools fail, try opening the MSG file with a text editor. This method can often allow you to view the file’s content, albeit without formatting.
Are MSG files used for anything other than Outlook emails and data?
Yes, MSG files are also used in the Fallout 1 and 2 video games to store game messages and dialogue information about characters. These files are not typically opened with standard file viewers but are accessed by the game itself during gameplay.
