What is EML File Extension and How to Open EML Files?

Define EML File formats:

• EML File Developer: Microsoft
• File Type: Electronic Mail
• MIME Type: Message/RFC 822
• File Format of EML: Text & Binary

What is EML File Format?

If you are also thinking what is an EML file, this blog will help you at its best to provide you all the information. EML file is an electronic Mail file consisting of email messages along with attachments. This is an individual email message having a .eml extension that archives email messages that aim at preserving original headers and formatting. The file consisted of plain ASCII text which is for headers, then the main message body, followed by hyperlinks, and lastly attachments. The header needs to have the email address of the sender, the subject line text, as well as time. In the technical language, The file consists of an email file which refers to as the RFC-822 file format. Before learning how to open EML files, let us first talk about the EML file structure.

Structure of EML File format

1. Header: Firstly, it contains metadata such as sender, cc, bcc, date, subject, timestamp and MIME Version.
2. Body: Secondly, it contains messages in a plain text file that follows RFC 822.
3. Attachments: File embedded with email are encoded using MIME(Base 84 Encoding) and are included within the EML file format.

Here is the header view of an EML format. It usually looks like the below image but if there is any change then either it is not and your EML files extension is corrupt.

Technical Standard and Compatibility:

1. RFC-822 and RFC-2822: EML file usually follows RFC 822 but now it’s updated as RFC-2822 standard for storing email messages.
2. MIME Support: As EML Format uses MIME(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions), they contain images, formatted Text, and attachments.
3. UNICODE Compatibility: EML file supports different character sets for multi-language compatibility.

Email clients supporting EML file format: This is supportive of emailing clients such as Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Entourage, PocoMail, and lots more.

How to Access EML Files?

In the situation where the user has a file supporting emailing client then simply double click on it to open But, suppose, somehow you failed to access the format in Outlook Express then below mentioned steps help further:

• Begin the process by opening ‘My Computer
• Then press ‘Tools’>> ‘Folder’ Options
• Then click the ‘File Types’ Tab and choose ‘Outlook Express email’
• Click the ‘Advanced’ tab
• In new windows, choose Open and press Edit
• Then in the application used for performing the action box, ensure for typing the command C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\MSIMN.EXE” /eml:%1 and click ‘OK’ in the two other windows.

How to Create EML File?

The file generates in so many emailing applications. Most email clients create it automatically. To open the EML file on desktop, just drag and drop the email messages available in the file supportive of email clients like Entourage, Thunderbird, Outlook Express, etc. or you also open or read it using Notepad.

How to Open EML File Extension?

1. Double Click: Right-click on your file, click on Open With, and select an email client (only if you have install the supported email client).
2. Drag and Drop: Navigate to EML extension, hold cursor on the EML and drop into the email application such as Outlook or Thunderbird.
3. Open with Text Editor: Use Notepad++, VS Code to open raw data of EML format.

Use Cases of EML Files:

1. Email Backup and Archiving: It allows you store individual email message with maintained their original formatting, metadata and attachments. Used by individual and professional users to preserve important communication for long term preservation.
2. For Legal Investigations: It maintains email headers, including timestamp, and sender/recipients details and EML files are admissible in corut5, treated as documentary evidence, but their reliability will be subjected to investigation with proper authentication and accessibility.

What are EML files & Difference between EML And EMLX Files?

The files are created via Windows-based emailing applications like Entourage, Outlook, etc. On the other hand, EMLX files are generated from Macintosh-based email clients such as Apple Mail and lots of others.

Use of EML in Legal and Cyber Crime Investigation

EML files are highly valuable in legal and Cyber Crime investigations. Due its ability to retain the complete and unaltered data of your email EML message. Each of your EML file stores crucial metadata such as the sender and recipient email address, subject line, timestamps, IP addresses and routing information, elements which are really very important for tracing the communication trails and verifying the authenticity of your messages stored EML format. EML files follow technical standards like, RFC 822/2822. However, EML files are often admissible in court as digital evidence that are collected and analyzed under proper forensic protocols to maintain the integrity and chain of the custody.

Are EML Files Safe to Open?

EML files are safe to open when they come from a trusted and verified source, as they simply contain a single email message. These messages contain headers, body text, and multiple attachments. However, caution should be exercised because your EML files can also carry several malicious scripts or infected attachments and they may be tampered with by the cyber criminals as well. Your EML files include phishing links or embedded malware that can easily compromise your system upon opening. And to ensure the safety of your data stored in EML files we highly recommend you to scan the data file with the up-to-date antivirus software and avoid downloading or opening the data fil from any type of unknown sources.

Summary

In this guide, we have introduced about what is EML file, its structure, compatibility, and technical standards. I hope your doubt what is an EML file​? is now clear. However, we have also explained how EML files contain individual emails along with attachments with preserving original formatting and email headers. Additionally, we have shared ways to open EML files using email clients and text editors. In addition, We have also explained use cases of EML files, such as email backup and archiving, to know the crucial role of EML format in legal investigations.