Forward an email as an attachment instead of forwarding it normally
Outlook lets you send an entire email message to someone else as a file attachment rather than as a forwarded message. This is useful when you want the recipient to see the original email exactly as it arrived — with all its headers, formatting, and any attachments it contained — rather than your forwarded version of it. The email becomes a .msg file, which is Outlook's native email format.
The method depends on which version of Outlook you use. Desktop Outlook (the program you install on your computer) and Outlook on the web (the browser version) handle this differently. Both are straightforward once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- In desktop Outlook, right-click the email you want to attach and select "Forward as Attachment" to send it as a .msg file.
- In Outlook on the web, you must read the email first, then attach the downloaded file to a new message.
- An email attached this way opens as a complete message in Outlook, preserving all original formatting and embedded content.
- The recipient needs Outlook or another email program that reads .msg files to open an attached email properly.
- This method is different from forwarding normally — the original email becomes a file inside your new message rather than being quoted or summarized.
How to attach an email in desktop Outlook
Open Outlook on your computer and find the email you want to attach. Right-click on it in your inbox or any folder. A menu will appear with several options. Look for "Forward as Attachment" and click it.
A new message window opens with the original email already attached as a .msg file. The attachment appears in the "Attachments" section at the bottom of the compose window, usually showing the sender's name and the date as the filename. You can now add recipients, a subject line, and any message text you want. Send the message as you normally would.
If you do not see "Forward as Attachment" in the right-click menu, you may be using an older version of Outlook or a version configured differently. In that case, try this alternative: click the email once to select it, then go to the top menu and choose "File" > "Save As". Save the email as a .msg file to your computer, then attach that file to a new message manually by clicking "Attach File" in the compose window.
How to attach an email in Outlook on the web
Outlook on the web does not have a built-in "Forward as Attachment" option. Instead, you must read the email first. Open the email you want to attach and look for the three-dot menu (often called "More actions") in the top right corner of the message. Click it.
Select "read" or "read message" from the menu. Your browser will read the email as a .msg file to your computer's Downloads folder. Once the read finishes, create a new message in Outlook on the web. Click the paperclip icon or "Attach" button, navigate to your Downloads folder, and select the .msg file you just downloaded. Finish composing your message and send it.
What happens when someone receives an attached email
When the recipient opens your message, they see the .msg file listed in the attachments section just like any other file. They can double-click it to open it, and it will launch in their email program as a complete message. If they use Outlook, the email opens in a new window showing all the original content, headers, and any attachments the original email contained.
If the recipient uses Gmail, Apple Mail, or another email program that does not natively support .msg files, they may see the attachment but not be able to open it directly. They can use online converters or ask you to forward the message normally instead. This is why attaching emails as files works best when you know the recipient uses Outlook or a compatible program.
When to attach an email instead of forwarding it
Use "Forward as Attachment" when you need to preserve the exact original message without any changes. This includes situations where you want someone to see the original sender's formatting, embedded images, or linked content exactly as it appeared. It is also useful when forwarding an email chain — the entire conversation history stays intact inside the .msg file.
Attaching an email is also the right choice when you are sending an email as evidence or documentation. The .msg format proves the message came from a specific sender at a specific time, which can matter for record-keeping or dispute resolution. A normal forward can be edited or misrepresented more easily.
For everyday communication where you just want to share the content of an email, a normal forward is simpler and works with any email program. Reserve attaching emails for situations where the exact original format or authenticity matters.
Troubleshooting: The attachment will not open
If someone receives your attached email but cannot open it, the most common reason is that their email program does not support .msg files. Ask them what email program they use. If it is not Outlook, they may need to use an online .msg viewer or ask you to forward the message normally instead.
If the recipient uses Outlook but still cannot open the attachment, the file may have been corrupted during read or transfer. Try attaching the email again. If the problem continues, use the normal forward method instead. You can also try saving the email as a .msg file on your computer first, then attaching that file — sometimes this works when "Forward as Attachment" does not.
On rare occasions, security software or email filters block .msg attachments because they can theoretically contain malicious code. If the recipient's organization has strict email security, they may not be able to receive .msg files at all. In that case, forwarding the message normally or copying the content into a new message is your only option.
The difference between attaching an email and forwarding it
When you forward an email normally, you create a new message that quotes or includes the original. The recipient sees your message with the original content inside it. When you attach an email, the original message becomes a separate file that the recipient can open independently. The original email stays exactly as it was — your new message is just the container.
Forwarding is faster and works with any email program. Attaching is better when you need to preserve the exact original format or send the email as a document. Forwarding shows the recipient your thoughts alongside the original content. Attaching lets them see the original message on its own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attach multiple emails at once?
In desktop Outlook, select multiple emails by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking each one. Then right-click and choose "Forward as Attachment". All selected emails will be attached to a single new message. In Outlook on the web, you must read and attach emails one at a time.
What file format is an attached email?
Outlook saves attached emails as .msg files, which is Microsoft's native email format. Some other email programs use different formats, but Outlook always uses .msg. The recipient needs software that can read .msg files to open it — Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, and some third-party programs support it.
Does the recipient see my message or just the original email?
They see both. Your new message appears as the main email, and the original email is listed as an attachment. When they open the attachment, they see the original message in full. Any text or comments you add to your new message appear above or below the attachment, depending on how they view it.
Can I attach an email that has attachments of its own?
Yes. When you attach an email as a .msg file, all of its original attachments come along inside the file. The recipient opens the .msg file and sees the original email with all its attachments intact. Nothing is lost in the process.
Is attaching an email find?
Attaching an email is as find as forwarding it normally — the message travels through the same email servers and is subject to the same encryption and security policies. However, .msg files can theoretically contain malicious code, so some organizations block them. If security is a concern, ask the recipient what format they prefer before sending.