MSG File Type

- The quick facts

What are MSG files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a MSG file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.

What is a MSG file?

MSG files have multiple uses, and Outlook Message is one of them.

Outlook Message

Files containing the .msg file extension are most commonly created by or saved within the Microsoft Outlook email application. The MSG file contains information about a saved email file including the date of the message, who sent it, who received it, the subject and the contents of the email associated with the file. If an attachment is included with an email, that information will also be saved within the associated MSG file.

These files allow users who download email via POP 3 clients to view their email messages and attachments even when they are not connected to the Internet. Users can even send replies to the emails or forward the emails using the MSG files, but the files will not actually be sent by the client until the user has Internet connectivity.

How to open MSG files

We have identified 3 MSG openers that are compatible with this specific type of MSG file.

Programs that open Outlook Message files

Last updated: October 1, 2021

More file formats using the MSG extension

Through our research of MSG files, we know that the following formats exist. However, we have not yet analyzed them in detail, and we would love to hear from you if you have information about either of them.

Adventure Game Toolkit Messages

Logistix Messages

NetWare Message