Many users are unable to open the file extension.msg saved. MSG files are essentially MS Outlook email messages. These files can be locked for many reasons and can not be accessed readily. To open such files, knowing the fundamental reasons behind this sort of query is very essential. In the following article, we will focus on all kinds of issues of MSG files and what are the ays to resolve them.

What is MSG File?

MSG is a single mail message file extension that is used by Microsoft Outlook and Exchange. Within Microsoft Outlook, the MSG file stores individual email messages, contact, arrangement, or assignment established or saved. It comprises of one or more email areas that include the body of date, sender, topic and message, or contact information, as well as various job representations. MSG files work with a different program that utilizes Microsoft’s Messaging Applications Programming Interface (MAPI).

After knowing about the MSG File we should know how these files can be created.

How to create MSG files?

• Step 1: First, Open Microsoft Outlook.
• Step 2: Select the email message that you want to save as a MSG file. It can be either a message that you sent.
• Step 3: At the left of the message window click the yellow “Outlook” logo icon. Then, select “Save As” from the list of alternatives that appears.
• Step 4: Pick that folder to which you want to save the message and type name in the required file.
• Step 5: Click  “Save as Type” on the drop-down box alongside and then select “Outlook Message Format.”
• Step 6: Click on the “Save” option.

There are several types of errors related to MSG files.

1. When MSG File is not opening’

Reasons:

• It may occur when Outlook has not configured properly
• When the preview of MSG files generated by Hex editors not understandable by users
• When the file is already open and users are trying to open it
• When users don’t have rights to access the file

Steps to Fix this issue in Outlook:

Well, there are a few alternatives that can solve the issue of MSG File is not opening in Outlook. 

Method1:

Opening the MSG file generated by the new Unicode file format message in older versions of MS Outlook. 

To open the MSG file, you can ask the sender to send the MSG file again after saving it in ANSI format before sending it to you.

Steps as follows:

To alter the default.msg format from Unicode to ANSI, drag and drop an email from Outlook to an Explorer directory and alter the following styles as shown below:

To do so, go to the guidelines below: 

First, Go to Tools–> then Options–> Tab Other–> Advanced Options button–> Disable Option: While saving the messages use Unicode Message format.

For Outlook versions 2010, Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016

First, Go to File –> then Options –> Mail –> Section –> save Messages –> Disable Option: Use Unicode Format

Notice: Change the Unicode (* .msg) to (* .msg) type when you save the file by going to File-> Save as-> “Save as Type” drop down list from “Outlook Message Format-Unicode (* .msg) to Outlook Message Format (* .msg).”

Method to open MSG File:

MSG files will be opened in Outlook, but you don’t have to bother with Outlook setup to see one’s content. You can use any accessible text editor to view the MSG file’s contents, or you can deploy a specific reader program to maintain the initial format.

By Text Editor

1. Find the MSG file to open. The purpose of MSG documents is to be opened in Outlook, but you can use the word processor on your PC to view their contents. Explore the file you need to open for MSG.
2. Right-click on the file and select “Open with.” This will offer you the opportunity to select the file-opening program.

Hold Ctrl and click the file in case you are using Mac with a single button mouse.

1. If you use a single-button mouse Mac, hold down Ctrl and press the file. Select the program for your word processor. The word processor is based on the system that you use.

• Windows – From the program list, select “Notebook.” Select “Choose another application/program” and explore C:\Windows\System32\Notepad in case Notepad is not listed.
• Mac – From the program list, select “TextEdit.” Select “Other” and then find TextEdit in your Applications directory in case Text Edit is not listed.
• Read the MSG file for Outlook. You will see a significant measure of distorted characters, but you should have the ability to find the email message header and body written in cleartext.

Alternative Solution to solve issues with MSG Files:

MSG Converter is the best solution to solve all kinds of issues with the MSG Files. It can convert msg files to any other different formats like HTML, EMLX, MBOX, PST, PDF. Also, it can convert all your data with attachments. According to my opinion, this tool is best to get rid of any type of issue with MSG Files quickly.

Conclusion:

This article describes how to repair MSG Files. Users can resolve their problems by the above-mentioned manual steps or you can use the MSG Converter tool if you want to solve the problem quickly with the best results.