How to Open EML Files With/Without Outlook?

There are number of users who are stuck with the query of “how can I open .eml files without Outlook?” So, let’s go through with the write-up that will explain each and every thing and provide the related solution for opening, reading and viewing EML files with or without Outlook.

Procedure #1 - Opening EML Files without Outlook

Basically, EML files are archived email messages that is generated by Outlook Express application. If you have switched from old Windows XP on which Outlook Express was already installed and move to new one having Windows 10, 8.1, 8 or 7 and all above of that you have EML files which you need to view but then you realize that it is an impossible task because in order to open the same, a supported email client is required.

This happens because in the latest editions of operating systems, Microsoft does not provide native apps to open .eml files.

If you are carrying Outlook Express archived .eml files that you need to view in Windows operating system edition other than Windows XP without the installation of any email client program, then follow the methods as described:

Method 1. Open & View EML files with MS Word

If you have the installation of Microsoft Word in the system, then implement the step-by-step process:

1. Open MS Word and go to File menu.
2. Click open and go to the location where EML files are stored.
3. Click on .eml file and choose the option “All Files” appearing below next to File Name. Then tap on Open.

Method 2. Change .eml file extension to .mht

Another procedure described to open .eml message files is to change .eml to .mht which allows to view EML file data in Internet Explorer. And in order to perform the same, go with the mentioned steps:

1. At first, copy all single .eml files in a folder.
2. Click on Start button of the desktop or laptop, go to Control Panel and click Folder Options.
3. From View tab, uncheck the option “Hide Extensions for known file types” and press OK. Also ensure box beside should be unchecked.
4. Click on Apply button. If it is active then click OK.
5. Again open the EML containing folder. You will see that its extension is now visible.
6. Right-click on the EML files which can be viewed and click the option “Rename”.
7. Now change .eml extension to .mht.
8. Once the process is done, double-click on the changed file and view the same in Internet Explorer.

Method 3. View EML Files using Windows Live Mail

Other than the above two methods, there is another option available for viewing EML file messages i.e. making use of Windows Live Mail. A free to use email client program provided by Microsoft (part of Windows Essentials).

1. Quickly Download & Install Microsoft’s Windows Live Essentials setup application in the system.
2. Now launch wlsetup-web.exe, and from the first setup screen select the required program to install.
3. Check only the Mail program and then click Install.
4. Once the installation completes, you can view .eml file on the system.
5. Right-click on .eml file and click Open With >> Windows Live Mail. 

Using one of the above discussed methods, users can instantly open, view and read EML file data without Outlook application.

In spite of this, there are other users too who are searching a solution for “how can I open EML files with Outlook?”

Procedure #2 - Opening EML files with MS Outlook

Whenever a user receives an email file of .eml extension opens it, it will always open in Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail but never in MS Outlook. And it is a general thing to remember that EML is not an Outlook file type.

Everyone is aware that .eml files are simple text files that can be opened and viewed in Notepad or any web browser. And this can happen by changing the extension from .eml to .txt or .html or by transforming the file association to Notepad.

Just follow the registry hack displaying below that can help out to open .eml files in Outlook. If you utilizes both Outlook as well as OE (Outlook Express) and WLM then .eml attachments on messages in OE/WLM will open in Outlook and replies will sent by making use of Outlook app.

Edit Registry

This method originated from mrbinky3000 and then tested on Windows 7 64-bit. Assume you are using Outlook 2007 and Windows 7 of 64-bit with WLM already installed in the system. The following process allows to open .eml file in Outlook including attachments:

1. Go to search field of Start menu and type regedit or press Windows Key + R to open Run command.
2. Navigate to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Microsoft Internet Mail Message WLMail\shell\open\command
3. Change command from “C:\Program Files (x86)\ Windows Live\Mail\wlmail.exe”/eml:%1) to “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office 12\OUTLOOK.EXE”/eml “%1” 

Note: Implementing this, Windows thinks that WLM (Windows Live Mail) is still the default application to open .eml files. Therefore, we have made modification in the registry so that user can open Outlook.EXE in spite of opening Windows Live Mail. In other words, for example, if you open Control Panel, click on Default Program and tries to open .eml file in WLM then in that case Outlook will open instead even though Window will still think that it is Windows Live Mail.

This method can only work OE and Mail and versions of MS Outlook. You just need to detect the exact registry key to edit and use the correct path to your Outlook edition.

Key of OE:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Microsoft Internet Mail Message\shell\open\command

However, in this way you can open .eml files with or without Outlook. You only need to follow the steps carefully and then you can view and read EML file data easily in MS Outlook.

Note: as you can Clearly see that above procedure is very lengthy and complicated from your imagination, so to help you and solve your time and complication issue here I going to recommend 2 software, both has their own qualities and spark.
1 – Birdie EML to PST Converter (trusted, easy and valuable product, let convert multiple mails to targeted file format PST)
2 – SoftTweak EML to PST Converter (work fast, yes it is easy to use also, provide 3 format to save, meaning, let you convert mails into 3 different file formats.)