How to Open .eml files?

If you're going to save emails to your PC, save them as .msg files which will open in the Preview Pane and any client...

dalchina said:

@Slinky - just wondering, does installing that also add an ifilter for .eml content indexing?

No idea. The tool I discussed in my tutorial is a self executable so no need to install anything. Basically it just adds the .eml file extension back into the preview handlers. Previously that was handled by installing Windows Live Mail but as my tutorial discusses many people have stopped using that program as Microsoft have withdrawn support.

As for your other comment ...

I guess you've never used an email client long term to receive thousands of emails.

If you're referring to the likes of Thunderbird then no. I don't receive thousands of emails anyway. I've always gone with one of the Microsoft mail programs like Outlook Express, Outlook, Windows Live Mail and now Windows 10 Mail app. I have no real need for an online mail client although I do now use Gmail as well. I do understand what you're driving at and your reluctance to see any validity in my tutorial but believe me I only wrote it because so many people are still facing the same problem. Not everyone uses Thunderbird or a similar app. Many people still use the one supplied by Microsoft which for some people is all they need.

Edwin said:

If you're going to save emails to your PC, save them as .msg files which will open in the Preview Pane and any client...

Are you using Windows 10?

If so which mail program? Microsoft Outlook? Exchange?

Windows 10 Mail app (which I use) has no ability to save emails with the .msg file extension.

I'm happy using Windows 10 Mail, it has all that I need in an email program.

eLPuSHeR said:

If I recall correctly I had some luck renaming .eml to .mht and opening it afterwards. It's been a very long time so I am not sure though.

Sorry I answered these in reverse!

Yes that was one solution mentioned when people lost the ability to preview .eml files. I just renamed one and that does still work. I do remember reading about that a long time ago but there was a reason why I chose not to go with that method, not sure what it was though. Maybe I was too lazy to change the extensions on so many archived messages?!

dalchina said:

Not at all- see my statement in bold above - it's entirely relevant for those who have a need.

Maybe we're at cross purposes? Your first reply on page one left me feeling as though you were down-playing my tutorial.

I'm not surprised no-one here knew as I'd guess relatively few would use this feature, preferring either a client or using a web browser.

Anyway, that aside and moving on I guess that depends on whether you have indexing enabled. I haven't used it for years and don't have the need to search for anything very often, maybe once or twice a year perhaps. I keep my file system pretty tight, everything has it's place. Come to think of it I doubt it's really changed much in the last 20 years except maybe it's gotten bigger and includes more categories.

Anyway, I'll leave it there. It wasn't really my intention to get into any lengthy discussions about email apps and there usage, I merely wanted to share my tutorial for those who had a need.

Maybe I'll find something useful and write a tutorial for TenForums next time