How to Analyze Email Headers of EML Files?

There are times when a user wants to see the headers of their emails. when you have EML files and want to read email headers. Then, what can you do? To answer this, we explain three methods to analyze email headers of EML files.

In an EML file, users save individual emails in it. The file stores the data in a very systematic format, where it contains header information such as the sender and recipient address, the subject, and the message content of the email. EML files do contain an email header, which includes important information about the email, like the server from which it came, who sent it, the date and time of the file, etc. With this information, you will know whether the email is from an unknown source or not.

So, if you want to view the email header of an EML file, you can easily do it. For this, you have to use the methods that support this file format. There are various email clients and software that use this file, and you can also use them to read the email header as well.

Methods to Analyze Email Headers of EML Files

Email programs like Outlook and Thunderbird allow you to view the header information of your emails. They also open EML files in it, so with their help, you can clearly view the files and the email headers. If you have not installed the programs, then there is a professional method that uses a third-party tool to open and read all the content and information in the files. Thus, there are two methods.

• Manual way: open Outlook and Thunderbird programs to open and analyze the headers.
• Professional way: use software to view the data.

Manual Method to Analyze Email Headers of EML Files

In this, we use two programs, MS Outlook and Thunderbird, to view your data. Both ways are easy, but use the latest version of the program because outdated versions of the files cannot be accessed.

1. Use the Outlook program to drag the EML files and drop them.
2. Import EML files in Thunderbird and read the content in them.

Option 1: View the Email Header of an EML File in Outlook

You can either right-click the EML file or open it with Outlook. This way, you can read your emails and headers quickly. But if you have multiple files, then drag-and-drop options can help.

• First, create a new folder in your Outlook and name it.
• Navigate to the location where your EML files are.
• After that, select one file, drag it, and drop it into the folder that you have just created.
• Repeat the above step again and again to move all the files in the folder.
• Now, go to the email to see the email header, and click it to view the content of the file.
• Select the Messages option, then click on the small icon under the Follow Up option.
• After that, a window of properties will appear. At the bottom of this page, you will see the Internet header option. You can now read the information.

Option 2: Analyze Email Headers of EML Files by Thunderbird

In order to open the files in Thunderbird, you have to first install the Import/Export Tools NG. then you can import the files and view the header. To download the add-on, go to the official website, addons.thunderbird.net.

• Install the Import/Export add-in from the path that we provide.
• Open Thunderbird and click on the Import/Export add-in.
• Select Import mailboxes, and then browse the EML files.
• After that, click on the Import option, and the files will be open. Now, to see the headers, go to the emails in the inbox that you have just imported.
• Select any one email and double-click the email. Click on the Other Actions and then View Source.
• Now, you can view the email headers of the files.

Limitations of Manual Methods

Both are easy, but there are some problems during the process.

• It is difficult to import multiple EML files at the same time.
• Both are time-consuming methods.
• In Thunderbird, you cannot view attachments.
• You cannot analyze the headers or the emails.

Hence, manual methods are not a reliable option to view the files. But the next method is one of the best ways to read all the information in EML files.

Professional Method to Analyze Email Headers of EML Files

For this, we use a third-party tool that easily opens the file and views it. The software we use is a top-notch Portable EML File viewer tool from FreeViewer to open and read the content of the files and other information like to, from, subject, attachments, etc. It also allows users to read normal, damaged, corrupt, or no file size restriction. The software provides many other features as well.

Features of the Tool

• You can preview your files in different modes, like HEX, HTML, RTF, MIME, etc.
• There are options to view emails with attachments.
• It has an advanced scan option to see selected data from the specified data.
• The tool allows you to view files from Outlook, Windows Live Mail, Thunderbird, etc.
• You can download the software for Windows 11, 10, 8, and earlier versions.

Steps to View EML Files and the Header

1. Download and install the software.
2. Search your EML files from the list of files and folders that are stored on your computer.
3. Click on the files, and they will display in the center of the screen.
4. At the top of the files, you will see the From, To, Subject, etc.; click the options to view the headers.
5. You can also preview the files in different modes.

Conclusion

In this article, we explain how you can analyze email headers of EML files. The methods are simple; you can use Outlook and Thunderbird to import the files and see the email header. But there are some drawbacks to it. However, the professional method would be a good option to read both pieces of information carefully. So, these are the techniques that you can use to view the files and the email headers.