Mail Archive
MSG viewer for Mac and Windows

Open MSG files on a Mac, without Outlook

An MSG file is a single message saved from Outlook or dragged out of it. Apple Mail can't open MSG files, and without Outlook, Windows has nothing to open them with either. Mail Archive opens MSG files on Mac and Windows with text and attachments, 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 uploadMac and WindowsNo Outlook needed
Mail Archive on a Mac showing an opened Outlook MSG file with message text and attachments
Mac

Open an MSG file on a Mac

When someone at a Windows office sends you an MSG file, your Mac usually doesn't know what to do with it. Here's how with Mail Archive:

  1. Get Mail Archive

    Download Mail Archive for free from the Mac App Store and launch it. You don't need an email account to view files.

  2. Open With

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

  3. From inside the app

    Or choose File › Open… in Mail Archive, or press Cmd+O, and pick the file.

  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 …”. Attached emails open in Mail Archive too.

Windows

Open an MSG file on Windows without Outlook

If Outlook is installed, it opens MSG files itself. Without Outlook, Mail Archive does the job:

  1. Install

    Get Mail Archive for free from the Microsoft Store. It registers itself for .msg files.

  2. Open

    Right-click the file, “Open with” › Mail Archive. Set it as the default app and a double-click is enough. Dragging into the window or Ctrl+O works too.

  3. Read

    Text, attachments and attached emails appear just like in an email app.

Background

Why won't my MSG file open?

MSG is Microsoft Outlook's own format. Technically it's a container (Compound File) in which Outlook stores the message with its properties, text and attachments. It has nothing to do with the open EML standard.

  • Apple Mail doesn't know the format and can't open MSG files.
  • Outlook for Mac doesn't open MSG files either, or only partly, depending on the version.
  • On Windows without Outlook, often no app is set up for .msg at all.
  • Some MSG files store the text only in rich text format. Mail Archive reads that text as well.

If the file ends in .eml, it's a standard email. There's a separate guide for that.

Privacy

No upload, no cloud

Many online MSG viewers convert the file on their server. That means uploading the message and its attachments, often with business details or personal data.

Mail Archive reads the MSG file on your computer. Nothing is uploaded, and the file never leaves your machine. Remote images stay blocked until you explicitly load them.

Alternatives

Other options, honestly compared

OptionMacWindowsNote
Mail Archive✓✓Free viewing, no upload
Outlook (classic) for Windows–✓Opens MSG directly if Outlook is installed
Outlook for Maclimited–Not at all or only partly, depending on the version
Apple Mail––Can't open MSG
Ask the sender for EML or PDF✓✓Works if you can reach the sender
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 case files, lawyers or your accountant, save the message as a PDF with Pro.

winmail.dat included

If the message contains a winmail.dat, Mail Archive unpacks the attachments inside automatically.

FAQ

Questions about MSG files

Can I open an MSG file on a Mac?

Yes. Apple Mail can't, but Mail Archive can. Right-click the file, “Open With” › Mail Archive, done. Viewing is free.

Do I need Outlook?

No. Mail Archive reads the MSG format itself, on Mac and Windows.

Can I convert the MSG file to EML?

Mail Archive doesn't convert to EML. You can add the message to your archive, or save it as a PDF with Pro.

What does the MSG viewer 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.

Are attached emails shown?

Yes. If an email was forwarded as an attachment, one click opens it in its own view.

Can I open a whole Outlook data file (PST)?

Yes, Mail Archive does that too. See open email files for more.

Read on

Mail Archive does more

Open any email fileEML, MSG, winmail.dat, MBOX, PST and e-invoices in one app.Open EML filesRead .eml emails on Windows without Outlook, and on Mac.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 PST filesView and import Outlook archives without Outlook.Open MBOX filesThunderbird, Apple Mail export, Google Takeout: view without importing.Pricing and plansViewing is free, archiving from a one-time €14.99.

Open MSG 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