Quick & Easy: How to Open an EML File

Ah the dreaded eml file. You’ve received one but you don’t know what it is or how to open it. Don’t worry you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post we’ll cover everything you need to know about eml files from what they are to how to open them. So let’s get to it!

What is an EML File?

An eml file is an email message saved in the MIME RFC 822 standard format. It contains the message’s header and body including the sender recipient subject and attachment information. The eml file can be opened with any text editor such as Notepad or TextEdit but it may not be easy to read.

Downloading the Necessary Programs – What You Need to Get Started

So you’ve made the brilliant decision to finally dive into the wild and wondrous world of .eml files. We’ve been there too and we know it can be a tad overwhelming getting yourself set up. Luckily there are only a few essential programs needed to get your .eml game going.

The only two pieces of software you’ll need to kick things off is an email client and a file reader. Depending on your preferences and the system you’re using you’ll want to do some looking around to find the perfect program to suit your needs.

Trust us when we say there’s no shortage of choices. You can go all out and download a comprehensive program that allows you to do a world of things with your emails (Thunderbird anyone?) or you can choose something a bit more basic and simplified with just the necessities.

On the reader side of things the best apps tend to be those specifically designed for opening .eml files. Look around for something that’s compatible with your device and operating system – chances are you’ll have plenty of different options to choose from.

The best part about all these programs is that they’re usually free and easy to install so don’t worry about having to shell out any cash or spending hours setting it all up. Once you’ve found your perfect setup all that’s left is to open view and enjoy your .eml files!

Opening Eml Files

Taming the wild and mysterious world of ‘eml’ files can be tricky business for even seasoned computer-users. These peculiar programs are a bit of a wild card in the race of file-formats — you never quite know what you’re going to get! But don’t fear we’re here with all the know-how you need to unlock this unique box of treats.

The first step to opening your eml files is to determine what program they’re associated with. Most eml files are email messages but they can also be encoded audio or images; you have to know what you’re opening before you can proceed.

For eml files related to emails a simple Windows search (or the equivalent on Mac) should reveal what program the files are associated with. If they’re using Outlook Express Mozilla Thunderbird or Apple Mail your job is pretty much done: just double-click the file to open it.

However eml files can also be associated with other email programs as well as different operating systems and these may require a bit more coaxing. To open these kinds of files you’ll need to do a few more steps:

• Find the associated program.

• Download a converter like Hamster Soft’s Free EML Viewer.

• Convert the file to the appropriate program’s file format.

• Enjoy the fruits of your labors!

There you have it! With a few clicks you can open any type of eml file and revel in the mysteries contained therein.

Troubleshooting Tips

So you’ve opened your inbox and lo-and-behold there is an email from someone you weren’t expecting – with a .eml file attached. That’s great and all but you’re not sure what to do with it. Don’t fear intrepid explorer. We got your fix. Here are a few easy tips to get you opening .eml files in no time.

First make sure you don’t have any of the following: outdated operating system no compatible software or a failure to understand the difference between a .txt and a .eml file. That’s right these files are not the same so don’t be fooled!

Secondly double check if you have any compatible software that the .eml file can open with – if not no worries either. There are plenty of email clients and web browsers capable of opening such files. Microsoft Outlook Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail are just a few of the many successful file openers.

Lastly if you’re still having trouble check out some online services available. These services are usually free and are great if you don’t own any of the above-mentioned software. Just upload the .eml file onto their website and few moments later you should have access to the file.

And that’s it. Now you can be a .eml master so try and show off your new skill!

Resources

• https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/fdd000388.shtml