Outlook Express

[ram085]

I am using Outlook Express 6.0 and IE 6.0 running Windows 98SE. I cannot open an attachment that has an .eml extention. I checked Microsoft Knowledge Base and the only solution that I found was fo in Me and it doesn't work for me. Bob

[Budfred]

Howdy ram085,

Do you know what an .EML extension is for? If you can download it, you may be able to find another program to open it.

Budfred

[mjc]

Since .eml is typically used as an extension for an email with an attached email message (like most jokes page, cards, etc) and as such can be condisered "unsafe". OE6 prevents the running of a number of extnesions. so there may be no "fix", this version just may not have the ability to do it....most of what I am coming up with on Google are links to Nimda (one virus that made use of .eml). You could possibly get aroiund your problem by running a diffent email client (list in my sig).

I haven't found the refferences in the M$KB, so could you post a link?

[Paul Komski]

I'm using WinME and IE/OE 5.5 in which "Files with extension EML are of type Outlook Express Mail Message".

When people forward me Emails, they often appear as attachments with the extension EML, which I then need to open to read. Also if I save an individual eMail from OE to disk it is given the EML extension and the file is associated with Outlook Express at ("C:\PROGRAM FILES\OUTLOOK EXPRESS\MSIMN.EXE" /eml:%1).

Such an eml attachment can obviously contain a virus just as any eMail can and should be treated no differently. I never open such attachments before I first save them to disk and scan them.

Maybe things work differently in other OSes??

If the attachment is first saved to disk, scan it to be on the safe side, and then try R-clicking on it and OpenWith either Notepad or InternetExplorer. The former will display it with all the headers and html tags if they exist but you will be able to read any message inside. The latter should display it correctly but could activate any scripts etc just like OE.

[ram085]

Thanks for your reply. It looks like I have to live with the eml problem. I found the info that I mentioned at "support.microsoft.com"
clicked on "Search the Knowledge Database" selected "Outlook Express" on the pull down menu and entered "eml" as the search item.

[Paul Komski]

I added one more paragraph above, while you were posting the reply.

And..you could also try R-Clicking on the saved file and then choose OpenWith and select Choose Program. Select Outlook Express if it is in the list or else select Other and in the file name box type C:\PROGRAM FILES\OUTLOOK EXPRESS\MSIMN.EXE (assuming that is where the OE application is on your HDD) and click Open. The same precautions about virus scanning the saved file still apply.

[mjc]

In 98se, under the file types (from the view => folder options in Explorer (not IE)), it is listed as Outlook Express Mail Message and the info for it is as follows:
(highlight it and then edit)

Description: Outlook Express Mail Message

Content Type(MIME):message/rfc822

Default Extension for Content Type: .eml

Under open (highlight open and then edit)

Action: open (should not be changable)

Application used to perform this action: "C:\PROGRAM FILES\OUTLOOK EXPRESS\MSIMN.EXE" /eml:%1

Another possibility is if you are running some versions of firewall software that block or alter certain attachments/extensions.

My earlier statement about OE being changed as to which attachments it will execute is good, but I don't have the list handy.....so Paul it isn't really an OS issue, so much as a OE version issue, I just wish I could remember where I have that list....
:rolleyes:

[david eaton]

MJC. Funny thing. I'm running IE6 and OE6 on Win98. File type EML does not appear in the list of file types! That may explain why RAM is having the problem.

I suppose the file type could be added using the info in your last post.

David

[Paul Komski]

As usual, mjc is probably on the right track:- OLEXP: Using Virus Protection Features in Outlook Express 6 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q291387&)

Basically, by default, it blocks any attachments that could activate scripts within them (and that would obviously include any eMails).

[baldrick]

I back up/save my messages by copying them to a save folder. They then get the extension .eml

If I drag a message called 'Subject' from inbox to a folder or to the desktop say I get an envelope icon and a file called 'subject.eml'. If I double click that it opens with OE.

Thers a lot of good stuff here on Outlook Express:

http://www.okinfoweb.com/moe/

[mjc]

Yes, but what version of OE are you using, baldrick?

OE changed things around somewhat and it does not behave the same way the previous versions did. I haven't played around with it enough to actually figure out the impact of those changes (I basically quit using IE/OE about 9 months ago and have no desire to upgrade to 6 on this machine), so I can't say, for sure that what you are doing will only work for locally genrated .eml files or if it will work for ones that you download too.