Mail Archive
EML viewer

Open EML files without Outlook

An EML file is a single saved email in the standard format, with sender, text and attachments. On Windows there's often nothing to open it with if neither Outlook nor Thunderbird is installed. Mail Archive opens EML files on Windows and Mac with a double-click or drag and drop, free and unlimited.

Get it for Mac Get it for Windows

Available on the Mac from version 1.3. The Windows version with these features is coming soon to the Microsoft Store.

Free, unlimited viewingNo uploadWindows and MacNo email account needed
Mail Archive showing an opened EML file with sender, date, message text and attachments
Windows

Open an EML file on Windows

Windows doesn't come with an app that reliably displays EML files. Mail Archive registers itself for .eml files when you install it.

  1. Install Mail Archive

    Get Mail Archive for free from the Microsoft Store. You don't need an email account to view files.

  2. Open with Mail Archive

    Right-click the EML file, choose “Open with” › Mail Archive. Set it as the default app and a double-click is enough from then on.

  3. Or drag it into the app

    You can also drag the file into the window, or click “Open file …” in Mail Archive (Ctrl+O).

  4. Read and save attachments

    You see the subject, sender, recipients, date, text and attachments. Click an attachment to open it, or save it with “Save as …”.

Mac

Open an EML file on a Mac

On a Mac, double-clicking an EML file usually opens it in Apple Mail. Mail Archive is handy if you don't want the email in Apple Mail or just need the attachments quickly.

  1. Get Mail Archive

    Download Mail Archive for free from the Mac App Store.

  2. Open with

    In Finder, right-click the file and choose “Open With” › Mail Archive. Or drag the file into the window or onto the Dock icon.

  3. From inside the app

    In Mail Archive, choose File › Open… or press Cmd+O to pick one or more files.

Background

Why won't my EML file open?

EML is an open standard format for single emails. Apple Mail, Thunderbird and many webmail services save messages this way. The file is plain text built on the MIME standard: headers, message body and attachments encoded as text.

It still won't always open, simply because your system has no app that knows the .eml extension. A text editor only shows the raw source with encoded attachments, and a browser usually just downloads the file.

  • The file isn't broken. You're just missing the right app.
  • If the file ends in .msg rather than .eml, it's an Outlook message. There's a separate guide for that.
Privacy

No upload, no cloud

Online EML viewers only show the email after you upload it to their server, handing over the text, addresses and attachments.

Mail Archive reads the file right on your computer. Nothing is uploaded. Remote images stay blocked until you click “Load external content”, so the sender doesn't learn that you opened the email.

Alternatives

Other options, honestly compared

OptionWindowsMacNote
Mail Archive✓✓Free viewing, no upload
Apple Mail–✓Opens EML with a double-click
Thunderbird✓✓Free, a full email client
Outlook (classic)✓–Opens EML if Outlook is installed
Text editor✓✓Raw source only, attachments unusable
Online viewer✓✓The file gets uploaded
Beyond viewing

What you can do next

Add to archive

“Add to archive” stores the email under “Imported files”, where it stays searchable. Free for up to 20 files, unlimited with Pro.

Save as PDF

For records, legal files or your accountant, save the email as a PDF with Pro.

Full-text search

Find archived files again with search, right alongside your archived mailboxes.

FAQ

Questions about EML files

Can I open an EML file without Outlook?

Yes. Mail Archive opens EML files on Windows and Mac without Outlook or Thunderbird. Viewing is free.

Can I open several EML files at once?

Yes. Select several files with “Open file …” or drag them into the window together. Each file opens in its own view.

Are attachments shown?

Yes. Mail Archive lists every attachment, and you can open it or save it anywhere. Embedded images appear right in the message text.

What does it cost?

Opening and viewing files is unlimited in the free edition. You can add up to 20 files to your archive for free, or unlimited with Pro for a one-time €14.99, no subscription.

Is there a size limit?

A single file can be up to 200 MB, which covers emails with large attachments too.

How do I open a whole mailbox instead of single emails?

Whole mailboxes usually come as MBOX or PST files. Mail Archive opens those as well. See open email files for an overview.

Read on

Mail Archive does more

Open any email fileEML, MSG, winmail.dat, MBOX, PST and e-invoices in one app.Open MSG filesRead Outlook messages on a Mac and on Windows without Outlook.Open winmail.datGet the attachments out of Outlook's winmail.dat, on Mac and Windows.Convert EML/MSG to PDFSave emails as PDF for records, lawyers and accountants, with attachments.Open MBOX filesThunderbird, Apple Mail export, Google Takeout: view without importing.Open PST filesView and import Outlook archives without Outlook.Pricing and plansViewing is free, archiving from a one-time €14.99.

Open EML files the easy way

Download Mail Archive for free. Opening files is unlimited, even in the free edition.

Get it for Mac Get it for Windows