Where is the view message source option for Outlook gone?

Question

Up until a very recent "patch", there was a "view message source" option on the right click menu - without having to open the email. This is now gone.

This functionality is essential for detecting phishing emails. Who was the genious that thought it was a great idea to remove it?

And How the hell can I view a message source withotu actually opening the email (and triggering any embeded links that allow tracking/trojans)?

Answer 1

Hello RNonay,

Good day to you and hope you are doing well.

We haven't heard back from you, so wants to quick check, is there any update? Feel free if you need further assistance, we will be happy to assist you further. Thank you for your time and cooperation.SincerelyEben | Community Moderator

Answer 2

Hello RNonay,

Once again we apologize for any inconvenience. Here is Microsoft's official link: View internet message headers in Outlook - Microsoft Support. It shows how to get/open the original message headers(view message source).

you can check as well this thread of some users https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/how-to-view-email-headers-in-outlook-desktop/d304aa4c-4f9f-4e09-9dcc-44ad169c093d it show how to get or view message source in Outlook desktop.

If you do not want to open the message first, but want to access the Message Options dialog directly from within the main Outlook window, then you can add the Message Options command to your Quick Access Toolbar;

1. File-> Options
2. Select the Quick Access Toolbar on the left.
3. Set the “Choose commands from” dropdown list to; Commands Not in the Ribbon
4. From the command list select; Message Options…
5. Press the “Add > >” button.
6. Press OK.

The option is now added to the Quick Access Toolbar at the top of your Outlook window and view the Internet headers of a message without needing to open it first.

Add the Message Options command to the QAT to view the Internet headers of a message without needing to open it. Reference: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/how-can-i-look-inside-at-email-headers-without/4ee2a12d-6262-4480-8424-c19525ddfc31 

However, as a Microsoft moderator community, we just reproduce the issue to provide some potential solutions to customers. We apologize if we are not able to meet your requirements; however, thank you for bringing this to our attention, we will surely raise your concerns to our Product Team and hopefully this can be included in future updates.  In the meantime, please feel free to post this in our Feedback community by visiting Outlook · Community (microsoft.com) as it is a community monitored by our Product team to help improve user experience with Outlook, via feedback given by our valuable customers.

Note: those steps can be useful for other users who are facing the same issue, do not hesitate to vote

We look forward to your reply. We will continue to assist you based on the information you provide. I sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation.   SincerelyEben Ezer Tres | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 3

Thanks - this at least lets me get at the headers without opening.

Unfortunately, it does not show the message body source. This is also vital to enable verification of links.

So I would say this is a partial solution - to at least look at the headers without opening.

Now to figure out how to actually view the message source...

Answer 4

Hello RNonay,

Thank you for your reply,

Like i said it is our traditional method for accessing message sources in Outlook. Here is Microsoft's official link: View internet message headers in Outlook - Microsoft Support.

For the product design, you may post your request in our feedback portal, they are in charge of the product design, from my side as a Microsoft moderator i just reproduce the issue and provide some solution or workaround to customers.

However this workaround i provide can be helpful for some users in our community also if you find my workaround helpfull, please kindly vote, it can be helpful for others users in this community .

Comments and feedback from our customers really motivate us to perform better and better and provide as much help as possible.

If there is any issue related with the Office applications in the future, please feel free to post back in this community.

We will be here for help.

We look forward to your reply. We will continue to assist you based on the information you provide. I sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation.   SincerelyEben Ezer Tres | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 5

In Outlook, save the email as an eml file, then open it with notepad. It will show you the entire message source.

-Jake