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The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 20 Aug 2026 11:24
by brianhuahin
Win scale 125%
XY 28.30.1901
Window 11 home up to date
The Preview of .msg files has recently changed from an accurate scrollable representation to the unhelpful version in the associated jpeg.
I have also noticed that using Windows file explorer to preview .msg I get the message “This file cannot be previewed because of an error in the Windows E mail preview”
Any chance of a solution?
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 20 Aug 2026 11:35
by Horst
Without Office installation you need some 3rd party tool to preview msg files.
I have an Explorer previewer installed which works also for all other file managers
like XYplorer, Total Commander and Everything.
There has nothing changed in the MSG preview for me.
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 20 Aug 2026 12:03
by brianhuahin
I have office installed and it has previously allowed msg files to be previewed but not now.
Maybe Windows has been changed in some way.
Certainly Windows file Manager no longer allows .msgs to be viewed.
Can you let me have the details of the program that gives you access?
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 20 Aug 2026 15:12
by RalphM
Office 2024 installed and not having any problems with .msg preview either.
Works as expected.
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 20 Aug 2026 17:31
by Horst
brianhuahin wrote: ↑20 Aug 2026 12:03
I have office installed and it has previously allowed msg files to be previewed but not now.
Maybe Windows has been changed in some way.
Certainly Windows file Manager no longer allows .msgs to be viewed.
Can you let me have the details of the program that gives you access?
The tool I have installed is no longer available on the net.
Brands ICT | 64 Bit MSG Previewer - Preview Pane
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 21 Aug 2026 07:39
by brianhuahin
On outlook 2007 but it worked flawlessly before. May be the admin knows some thing
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 21 Aug 2026 09:24
by admin
Didn't change anything. But MSG was always strange.
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 22 Aug 2026 05:00
by brianhuahin
With MS file explorer exhibiting the same failure well on Outlook 2007 at least it would appear to be some recent change in Win 11.Are you going to pursure a soluton?
Regards
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 22 Aug 2026 13:33
by Horst
brianhuahin wrote: ↑22 Aug 2026 05:00
With MS file explorer exhibiting the same failure well on Outlook 2007 at least it would appear to be some recent change in Win 11.Are you going to pursure a soluton?
Regards
Since when is Don responsible to fix Microsoft problems ?
As I and others said above, we still get msg files displayed fine.
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 23 Aug 2026 06:08
by brianhuahin
Horst
I think Don should decide where the solution lies if indeed there is one.
I summarise the situation to date as.
brianhuahin
Outlook 2007 installed
XY latest version installed.
Preview worked until the latest Windows 11 update,
No preview on Window 11 “file explorer”.
Message from Windows11 “This file cannot be previewed because of an error in the Windows E mail preview”
RalphM 20 Aug 2026 20:12
Office 2024 installed and not having any problems with .msg preview either.
Works as expected
brianhuahin 23 August
RalphM does not specify what version of Windows 11 he has installed!
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 23 Aug 2026 06:27
by RalphM
@brianhuahin: Yes, he does state the Windows version, as he read the
bold red bit at the top of this forum and put that information in his signature as requested.
How about you do the same?

Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 23 Aug 2026 08:23
by brianhuahin
Sorry RalphM
I did not see, a sign of advancing years but no excuse.
I do include the details requested by Admin, XY version, Windows version and Scale %. Included in each post but not in the personal data as it changes so often.
Achieves the same objective but by different means.
Regards
Brian
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 29 Aug 2026 06:09
by brianhuahin
XY 28.30.2000 64 Bit
Windows 11 Home, 25H2, build 26200.916, 64 Bit
Scale 125%
In the same way that you (Don) by passed a Microsoft solution to the “no restore” via right click context menu” are you intending to address this admittedly Microsoft failing.
Regards
Brian
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 29 Aug 2026 09:06
by admin
It's low on my list. As I said, MSG was always strange, and the New Outlook is even stranger. I will do Mac, Linux, and Android first.
Re: The Preview of .msg files has recently changed
Posted: 30 Aug 2026 10:12
by brianhuahin
Dissapointed but resigned.
Regards
Brian