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Free 3 Methods to Open EML Files? Best Manual Solutions

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Written By Kristian Wilson
Marco Devin
Approved By Marco Devin  
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Published On November 14th, 2022
User Query: Hello all! I have some EML files which I want to open as they contain some important data. I am confused because I have zero clue about anything technical. If there is any way/s I can easily open these files (for free), that would be very helpful. Thank You in advance.

This technical write-up explains how you can open EML files by yourself. There are various methods you can opt for to open EML file. We have discussed three different methods here. You can use whichever fits your needs.

Before we jump to the instructions for opening an EML file, let’s know more about EML files.

What Is an EML File?

EML (.eml) is a file extension that saves email content in a plain text format. EML is short for Email or Electronic Mail. These files can be exchanged between users through RCF-822-compliant email clients.

EML is a standard file format used by multiple email clients such as Apple Mail, Windows Live Mail, and Thunderbird.

Saving a file with a .eml extension is a great way to preserve the email’s original format and headers.

An EML file contains the following components:

  • Content of the email.
  • The subject of the email.
  • Sender and receiver information.
  • Date of the email.
  • Attachments.
  • Hyperlinks.

Now that you are clear on the topic of an EML file and its components. It’s time to move ahead and start with the methods to open EML file.

Methods To Open an EML File (For Windows Users)

There are multiple ways you can use to access EML files. Here, we have discussed three of the ways (applicable to windows users). All these methods are manual and thus, completely free.

Ways You Can Open EML File:

  • As plain text
  • In an email client
  • In web browser

Access EML Files in A Text Editor

As we know that .eml extension saves an email message in plain text format. Hence, you can easily access EML file using Microsoft Notepad or any text editor. It is an easy method for anyone to readily open their EML files.

To proceed with this method, follow the tutorial below.

  1. Open the Windows file explorer on your computer.
  2. Select the EML file you want to open.
  3. Right-click on the File to see More options.
  4. In the dropdown menu, Click on Open With.
  5. Next, choose Notepad in the appeared options.

A simple and easy method you can choose to open your EML files. Since EML files are stored in text format, one can open them in any text editor.

Open EML File Using Email Client/s

There are many email clients, which use the .eml extension as the standard format to save their messages like Apple Mail, Thunderbird, IncrediMail, Windows Live Mail, etc. Given the fact that these email clients save in .eml format.

If you wish to open your EML files in an email client like you can import EML files in Outlook and Thunderbird etc, Follow the given instructions below.

  1. Open the folder where your EML files are saved.
  2. Select the EML files you wish to open.
  3. Right-click on the EML files.
  4. Select the “Open With” option
  5. Choose the email client you want to open your EML file with.

Open EML Files in A Web Browser

If you do not have any compatible email client then, you can opt for this method. This method involves changing email file extensions i.e., from .eml to .mht.

Using this method, you can open your EML file in web browsers. The .mht extension opens easily in internet explorer. For Windows users, this is a default web browser thus, your EML files will open with intact formatting.

To proceed further with this method, follow the steps given below.

  1. Open the EML file folder.
  2. Select the EML files you wish to open.
  3. Right-click on the EML file.
  4. Click on Rename.
  5. Change the .eml extension to .mht.
  6. A warning will appear. Click OK.
  7. Right-click on the converted file.
  8. Select Open With.
  9. Choose Internet Explorer.

Using this method, you will see your message, hyperlinks, and attachments (images, doc. Files etc.) with intact formatting in internet explorer.

Conclusion

Not knowing how to open EML file can be confusing for anyone. To tackle that, we helped by presenting three manual methods: access EML as plain text, Open EML with an email client, and Open EML in a web browser. You can use any of these to open your EML files for free.