.MSG File Extension

.MSG File Extension

Outlook Message Item File

What is an MSG file?

An MSG file is an item, such as an email message, contact, appointment, or task created or saved within Microsoft Outlook. It contains all the information about the item, which includes attachments to an email message. MSG files are primarily used by Outlook but are also supported by other programs that use Microsoft’s Messaging Applications Programming Interface (MAPI).

Microsoft introduced the MSG format with the release for Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Outlook in 2003 and still actively maintains the MSG format. The primary purpose of the MSG file is to allow Outlook users to share various items, such as messages, appointments, and contacts.

The information stored in an MSG file differs based on the item contained in the file. Examples of items often saved in MSG files and their information:

• Email – MSG file contains one or more email fields, which include the date, sender, recipient, subject, and the message body, and any attachments to the message. The default name of the MSG file is the same as the message subject.
• Appointment – MSG file contains the appointment details, which include the start and end time of the appointment, location, and message. The default name of the MSG file is the same as the appointment title.
• Meeting – MSG file contains the meeting details, which include the required and optional attendees, start and end time of the meeting, location, and message. The default name of the MSG file is the same as the meeting title.
• Contact – MSG file contains details about the contact, which include the full name of the person, work information, email address, phone numbers, and business and home address. The default name of the MSG file is the same as the full name of the contact.
• Task – MSG file contains the task details, which include the start and due date of the task, priority level, percentage completed, and message. The default name of the MSG file is the same as the task subject.

How do I create a MSG file with Outlook?

You can create an MSG file with Outlook by simply dragging and dropping an email message, appointment, contact, or task item to your desktop or a folder in Windows Explorer. When doing this, the message subject will be used as the name of the MSG file. For example, a message with the subject “Thanks for contacting us” becomes Thanks for contacting us.msg.

You can also create an MSG file with Outlook by selecting the email message, contact, appointment, or task and clicking File → Save As. You can then choose the save location and name of the MSG file.

How to open an MSG file

You can open an MSG file with Microsoft Outlook in Windows simply by double-clicking the file. If Outlook is not set as the default application for opening MSG files, you can right-click the file and choose Outlook to open the MSG file. When opened in Outlook, the message will be formatted appropriately to appear the same way it did before it was exported.

You can also open MSG files with other third-party programs, such as Encryptomatic MsgViewer Pro (Windows) and 45RPM MailRaider Pro(macOS).

Programs that open or reference MSG files

Fallout Message File

What is an MSG file?

File used by Fallout 1 and 2, which are two installments of the post-apocalyptic open world video game series; contains character and item dialogues and in-game messages that are referenced when interacting with characters and items during gameplay.

MSG files are located in the textenglishdialog and textenglishgame directories of your game.

Each indexed line of text has three sets of {}. The first set indicates the line index, which is represented by a number. The second set indicates the name of an optional associated .ACM sound file. The third set contains the text that is displayed, whether it be for an observation window or dialogue box.

NOTE: Interplay and Black Isle Studios originally developed Fallout 1 and 2 before Bethesda Softworks acquired the rights.