How to Open EML Files

By / Gmail Guides, Windows 10, Windows 11 / 4 minutes of reading

How can you open or read .eml files.

Eml files are email files. You’re most likely to run into them if you’ve downloaded emails from your email service provider (such as Gmail, Yahoo etc). But obviously they’re not much use if you can’t actually open and read them.

In this guide, I’ll show you 3 ways to open an eml file.

Table Of Contents
  1. How to Open an EML File
  2. Use an Email Client
  3. Open .EML File in a Web Browser
  4. Open an Email in Notepad
  5. Summary

How to Open an EML File

This first method of opening .eml files is really easy to do. Eml files are emails, and can be opened by your email service provider, such as Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook.com. After all, it’s what they do.

Simply add the eml file as an attachment to a new email. Send the email to yourself, and then you should be able to open the attached eml file.

It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself.

Attachment indicated in an email.
To open an eml file, attach it to a new email and send it to yourself.
Eml file opened as an attachment to another email.
The attached eml file open.

Use an Email Client

Any email client program or app will open .eml files. Programs such as Windows Mail, Outlook for Windows or Thunderbird, to name just a few, will open eml files easily.

The only caveat is that you’ll probably have to set these programs up first.

That means signing in to an email account (email address, password and authentication). But once that’s done, you should be good to go.

Outlook requires an email account to be setup.
When using an email client app, you’ll probably have to set it up first.

Related Post.

How To Setup Your Email Accounts In Outlook For Windows App.

Open .EML File in a Web Browser

You can trick a web browser into opening an eml file. But you’ll need to change the file extension from .eml to .mht.

The file extension is the last 3 digits after the dot in the file name. They’re added to the file name so that Windows knows what type of file it’s dealing with.

The results aren’t great, but the email is readable, usually.

To change the file extension you’ll need to have file extensions viewable. By default they’re hidden.

Navigate to your .eml file, then click View on the toolbar, then select File Name Extensions.

eml file extension highlighted.
The file extension is the last 3 letters after the dot.

Changing the File Extension

Rename the download email. You can name it anything you like, but you must save it with the .mht extension at the end.

Windows will warn you of the dangers of changing file extensions, just click the Yes button.

the file extension has been changed to .mht.
Change the file extension to be .mht.

Related Post.

How To Create, Name, Rename And Delete Folders

In this example, I’m using Microsoft Edge, but it would work just as well in Google Chrome or any other web browser.

Once you’ve changed the file extension to be .mht, double click your email and it should open in your default web browser.

The results aren’t great, but you can just about make out the contents of the message.

An email opened in the Edge browser.
Hmmm, well I suppose it works.

Open an Email in Notepad

While we’re on the subject of changing file extensions, you could also change the extension to be .txt.

With a .txt file extension, the email will open in Notepad.

The results are even worse that opening it in a browser, but again you can just about see the contents of the email.

eml file open in Notepad.
In hurry, in might just do.

Summary

By far the best ways to view eml files is either through an email client app or by simply attaching it to an email and sending it to yourself.

Although using a web browser or Notepad will work, you’ll lose all the formatting, layout and images.

Related Posts

How to Download Emails from Gmail
Save just a single message or your entire Inbox.

How to Send Confidential Email in Gmail
Because some emails are private between you and your recipient.

How to Block an Email Address in Outlook: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cut down on spam and other nuisance emails.

What Is Phishing? How to Spot a Phishing Email or Scam

Phishing is the name given by scammers (fraudsters) to their attempts to steal sensitive information from you, or to trick you into paying them money.

Don’t give them a chance. Spot the red flags, the most common types of phishing and what to do if you already clicked something.

Phishing
What is Phishing-How to spot a phishing email

You can find this and other related step by step guides in – At Home Computer Antivirus Guides

At Home Computer Step By Step Guides

At home computer website logo. Easy to follow tutorials for users of Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.

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