How can I get the new version of Outlook to open MSG file links in other browsers such as Fireox

Martin Wellington 65

When I download an MSG file, through a browser such as Firefox, and ask it to open in Outlook as the fault action I get an error "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using"

I have the browser set as:

Content Type : mailto

Action : Use Outlook (default)

Is this something I should be following up with Mozilla?

Windows 11, Outlook V1.2023.616.100 (Production), Firefox V114.0.2 (64-bit)

Faery Fu-MSFT 18,441 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-07-12T09:22:28.8366667+00:00

Hi @Martin Wellington ,

Is there any update on this thread? If the issue has been resolved, please mark the helpful replies as answers, this will make answer searching in the forum easier and be beneficial to other community members as well. Thanks for your understanding.
GilesBayliss-8079 80 Reputation points

2023-08-15T07:05:58.0166667+00:00

This is an unacceptable omission from MS ... encouraging users to adopt a new version that does not have feature parity for basic things like this is irresponsible. I am not proposing that this needs to be built-in but at the very least, a free viewer should be provided to fill the gap.
Alex Wee 0 Reputation points

2024-01-31T01:50:02.47+00:00

One of the strong points of Outlook (vs other emails) is its ability to save emails in Windows folders. That's why I am a loyal user of Outlook and I have many ''msg'' files stored in my Windows folders. There is no incentive for me to switch to New Outlook if it does not have this function. Please incorporate this feature before promoting the changeover.
Simon K5 0 Reputation points

2024-02-10T19:43:49.0433333+00:00

This is really quite shocking/ridiculous: you can pay for Office 2021 but you have to pay more (i.e. have O365) in order to have this basic feature. For both work and home use this is a disaster. However, there is a workaround (although not very practical if you have lots of emails to regularly look at) --> copy and paste the email saved in File Explorer into your inbox (or any other Outlook folder) and it will open as a normal email
Kyle Hardin 46 Reputation points

2024-02-15T23:35:34.2333333+00:00

handsontek says that this feature is on the roadmap for March 2024. I agree that it should have been addressed much earlier than this. Opening email is a pretty basic feature for an email client, even if that email originates from the file system.
https://m365admin.handsontek.net/new-outlook-for-windows-opening-saved-eml-msg-and-oft-files/

4 answers

Faery Fu-MSFT 18,441 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-07-06T02:27:55.2533333+00:00

Hi @Martin Wellington ,

Currently, the new Outlook does not support the ability to open or save .msg and .eml files, you can switch back to the classic Outlook at any time by clicking the toggle button in the top right corner of the window.

The new Outlook is not yet complete, and some options may not be available or work as expected. Many features of our current products are designed and upgraded based on customers’ feedback. Someone has already submitted this feedback, you can vote for him: Add Save option for emails in "New Outlook" (.msg file)

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
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4 people found this answer helpful.
Faery Fu-MSFT 18,441 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2023-07-10T09:03:55.4566667+00:00

Hi @Martin Wellington ,

Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back. If you think my reply is helpful to you, please remember to mark it as an answer. Warm thanks.

GilesBayliss-8079 80 Reputation points

2023-08-15T07:10:20.78+00:00

Really not helpful. So every time somebody wants to open an eml file this switch needs to take place. Bugging users to try the new version and then telling those that have to switch back to the old version is a ridiculous state of affairs. Can we have the Outlook Product Manager explain this position?

Jeff Chapman 35 Reputation points

2023-08-23T21:28:22.93+00:00

If, as you say, "The new Outlook is not yet complete, and some options may not be available or work as expected." then why was it promoted and released? This (progressive web) application has some merrits (the most obvious being it does away with the need to download and sync email folders) but not including the option to open an Outlook created file from within the "New Outlook" application is unthinkable.

Glenn 20 Reputation points

2023-11-30T11:48:10.07+00:00

One word. Ridiculous!

Charles Gura 5 Reputation points

2023-12-29T04:02:04.5466667+00:00

While this answer is helpful, it does not help to utilize the New Outlook if I am unable to open .msg files as I have many files saved as .msg. This will require me to continuously switch back and forth.

Georgios 0 Reputation points

2024-01-03T06:00:02.0233333+00:00

2024 and still this option not available.....

Jeff Chapman 35 Reputation points

2024-01-25T02:33:36.8+00:00

The “New Outlook” is no longer new. Despite having received several updates since its release, it remains little more than a Progressive Web App. In fact, for all appearances, it is just an application wrapper for the Outlook PWA.

Simon K5 0 Reputation points

2024-02-10T19:45:48.8266667+00:00

hi there, I suggested a workaround, where you don't need to switch between versions - see my posting above :-)

Tobias Stahl 0 Reputation points

2024-02-14T12:22:13.49+00:00

So you are pushing and urging people to use new Outlook, an e-mail client that can't open .msg files? This honestly has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard pertaining MS. And that's saying something. What an absolute disaster – you've definitely lost me as a user there.

Kyle Hardin 46 Reputation points

2024-02-14T18:10:08.12+00:00

It's nearly a year later and new Outlook still lacks this very basic functionality.
Edit: handsontek says that this feature is on the roadmap for March 2024. https://m365admin.handsontek.net/new-outlook-for-windows-opening-saved-eml-msg-and-oft-files/
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JoeV 5 Reputation points

2024-01-25T02:01:39.24+00:00

As an admin, I open .eml and .msg frequently for various purposes.
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1 person found this answer helpful.
Skye Donald 0 Reputation points

2024-07-19T22:58:57.6333333+00:00

This is creating extra work for our admin team. I cannot tell you how many times I've been contacted and told that I "uploaded the wrong file" because the person trying to open the .msg is using New Outlook. We need .msg files because we have to save the entire message with attachments. These emails can become evidence in legal proceedings or requested under our privacy and personal information legislation. I can't believe the project designer overlooked the need for a compatible file format in New Outlook. That's the kind of stuff that happens with government projects, not private industry. lol.
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Andrew Rakos 0 Reputation points

2024-02-15T23:29:29.97+00:00

Still waiting on this. Some people in my company refuse to use the new outlook, and save .msg file. I can't open them, or import them. The Explorer preview panel can even view them. I just want to at least print them to a .pdf for archival purposes. Only workaround I've found is to switch back, print, then return to new Outlook. Or use a different program, obviously
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Kyle Hardin 46 Reputation points

2024-02-15T23:37:11.8866667+00:00

handsontek says that this feature is on the roadmap for March 2024. I agree that this request should have been addressed far earlier in development. Opening email is a pretty basic feature of an email client, even if that email originates from the file system.
https://m365admin.handsontek.net/new-outlook-for-windows-opening-saved-eml-msg-and-oft-files/
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How can I get the new version of Outlook to open MSG file links in other browsers such as Fireox

4 answers