First, let`s see what exactly is a file that has the .eml extension/format. If you received a file that contains this format, then this is probably a message that contains html, text or RTF ( Rich Text format) , and can also render ole embedded graphics. There are a lot of mail programs that will open .eml formats. If you are using Windows, you can open .eml files with one of these programs :
- Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Thunderbird
- IncrediMail
- Aid4Mail
- Windows Mail
If you are using Mac, you can open .eml files with one of these programs :
- Apple Mail
- Microsoft Entourage
So far so good, you know what program to use when you will receive .eml files that can contain an e-mail attachment. Sometimes, on Windows you won`t be able to open EML files so if you can`t open them with one of those programs that I recommended it probably means that an installed third-party e-mail program has an associated .eml file type. You have two options to fix this behavior. The first method is to run the Msimn executable file with the /reg option in order to force Outlook Express to re-register its file types so that you can open .eml files with Outlook Express. The second method re-register the .eml file type in `My Computer` located on desktop.
First method : Run Msimn executable file with the /reg option :
A: Close/quit Outlook Express if it`s already opened on your computer.
B: Click on Start, then click on Run
C: In that little box, type msimn /reg, and press OK
Second method : re-register the .eml file type in `My Computer`
A. Go to desktop and double-click `My Computer`
B. Go to `Tools menu`, then click `Folder Options`.
C: Click on `File Types` tab.
D: Right under `Registered file types`, click on `EML Outlook Express Mail Message`, and then click on `Advanced`.
E: Now click `Open` then click `Edit`.
F: Copy or type the following single line in the `Application used to perform action` box : `C:Program FilesOutlook ExpressMSIMN.EXE` /eml:%1
G: Make sure to click on `OK`, again `OK` and finally click on `Close`.
Please note: Everything described here was tested on a computer running Microsoft Windows XP SP 3. This was not tested on Windows Vista or Windows 7 although you should not encounter problems when opening EML files on them. It`s also a good ideea to scan the attachment using an antivirus since .eml files can contain viruses.
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