Extract Attachments From MSG Files Without Outlook For Free

  • Written By  

  • Updated on January 29th, 2025

5/5 - (1 vote)

Introduction: MSG files are a common format used by Microsoft Outlook to store individual email messages, including their attachments. While these files are useful for archiving and sharing emails, extracting attachments from them without using Outlook can be challenging. Fortunately, there are free methods and tools available to accomplish this task efficiently.

In this blog, we will explore:

  • Why you might need to extract attachments from MSG files without Outlook.
  • Effective methods including a DRS Softech MSG Converter to extract attachments.
  • Along with that, step-by-step instructions for each method.
  • Why It is Essential to Extract Attachments from MSG Files?

    1. No Access to Outlook: You might not have Outlook installed or available on your current system.
    2. Cost Saving: Outlook is a paid application, and you may prefer free alternatives.
    3. Efficiency: Extracting attachments without opening each file in Outlook can save time.
    4. Cross-Platform Needs: You may need to access MSG files on a non-Windows platform, such as macOS or Linux.

    Effective Methods to Extract Attachments from MSG Files

    Extracting attachments from MSG files is a common requirement for users managing large volumes of email data. When working with MSG files, especially in bulk, manually extracting attachments can be a tedious and time-consuming process. Here are some effective and free methods to extract attachments from MSG files without Outlook:

    Method 01: Extract Attachments from MSG File Using Microsoft Outlook

    Manually extracting attachments from MSG files can be done using Microsoft Outlook or a similar email client. This method is straightforward and does not require additional tools, making it suitable for users who only need to extract a few attachments. Here’s how you can extract attachments from .msg

    Prerequisites

    • Microsoft Outlook is installed on your system.
    • MSG files are accessible on your computer.

    Steps to Extract Attachments Manually

    • First of all, locate the MSG file on your computer.
    • After that, double-click on it to open it in Outlook
    • If double-clicking doesn’t work, right-click the file, select Open With, and choose Outlook.
    • Once the MSG file opens in Outlook, check for attachments in the email.
    • Attachments are usually displayed below the subject line or in the email body.
    • Drag and drop the attachment(s) directly into a Windows folder or onto the desktop.
    • Open each email and save the attachments manually using the steps above.
      (Note: For a large number of MSG files, consider using an automated tool.)
    • Also, you can right-click on the attachment(s) you want to extract.
    • Select Save As and choose a location on your computer to save the file(s) >> Click Save.

    Limitations

    The manual method for extracting attachments from MSG files has several limitations:

    • Extracting attachments manually for multiple MSG files can take a significant amount of time.
    • There’s a higher chance of missing attachments or saving them in the wrong location due to manual handling.
    • This method requires Microsoft Outlook, so it won’t work if you don’t have it installed or if the MSG file is incompatible with your Outlook version.
    • There’s no way to filter or extract specific types of attachments (e.g., only PDFs or images) without reviewing each MSG file.
    • MSG files created in older Outlook versions might not open properly in newer Outlook installations.

    These limitations are problematic. Thus, an automated tool can help you with the accuracy to extract attachments from MSG files. Proceed with the next section to simplify the extraction process with ease. 

    Know More: Methods to Extract Attachments From MBOX File

    Method 02: Extract Attachments From MSG Files Without Microsoft Outlook

    The DRS Softech MSG Converter Tool is a powerful and efficient tool for extracting attachments from MSG files. The primary function of the software is to extract attachments from MSG files without needing to open each email manually in Outlook. You can add a folder containing MSG files, and the tool will extract attachments from all of them in a single operation. It does not only extract attachments but can also convert MSG files to other formats such as PDF, EML, MBOX, and PST. The process of extracting attachments can be completed with just a few clicks.

    One of the standout features is that the tool doesn’t require Microsoft Outlook to be installed on your computer. This is ideal for users who do not have access to Outlook or for those working with corrupted MSG files that might not open in Outlook.

    Simple Steps to Extract Attachments from MSG Using MSG Converter Tool

    • First of all, download and run the DRS Softech MSG Converter Tool on your existing system.
    • Click Select File and add the MSG files or folders containing MSG files you want to process.
    • Select the extraction format for the attachments, such as saving them to a specific folder or converting MSG files to another format.
    • Once the settings are configured, click on the “Convert” to begin the extraction. 

    This utility will quickly extract attachments from all selected MSG files. After the process is complete, you can access the extracted attachments from the output folder or view the converted files.

    Conclusion

    Extracting attachments from MSG files without Outlook is entirely feasible with free tools and methods. Whether you use dedicated MSG viewers or email conversion utilities, you can efficiently extract Attachments from MSG files you need without relying on Outlook. If you have a large number of MSG files or specific requirements, combining these methods with batch processing tools can further simplify the task. Explore these options and choose the one that best fits your needs!

    About The Author:

    Shital is an experienced content writer who focuses on data recovery and email migration. With a strong background in technology and a love for making difficult topics easy to understand, she writes clear and helpful content for both tech experts and regular users. Her content helps you to manage the challenges of recovering lost data and moving emails between platforms like Office 365, Outlook, and other email clients. Her detailed guides help people protect their data and make their communication systems run smoothly.

    Related Post

    © Copyrights 2018-2025 DRS Softech - All Rights Reserved.