MSG Files Will Not Display in Windows Explorer Preview Pane – Solved

“Every time when I try to view an MSG file using Outlook in Windows Explorer preview pane, the following error message is displayed i.e.,

Either there is a default email application which is already set or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging request. Please try using MS Outlook and set it as the default email client.

After which. I tried to confirm the same via Windows OS Control Panel and through Windows Registry that I have set Outlook 2013 as my default email program. When I double-click on the MSG file, it opens using the default email application i.e., Outlook 2013. However, the same MSG file is also displayed on the Windows Explorer preview pane. Has anyone experienced the same issue and knows the troubleshooting tips for “MSG files will not display in Windows Explorer preview pane.” error? If so, then please advice some tricks to fix this problem.”

With the fast-growing advancement in technology, there have been several email applications emerged that is available in an affordable rate with amazing functionalities. However, when it comes to selecting a feature-rich email program, then MS Outlook is the supreme choice made by most of the users, just because of it’s out of the box features that will help users to fulfill their needs in all aspects. In order to view an MSG file, then MS Outlook, Exchange Server or the supported email programs need to be installed. Many a time, users try to view an MSG file in the windows preview pane even after installing Outlook application in which “MSG files will not display in Windows Explorer preview pane using Outlook 2013.” Now, to deal with this instance smartly, her comes the blog in which we will are going to disclose result-oriented techniques to troubleshoot this issue.

Top Manual Tricks to Fix “MSG Files Will Not Display in Windows Explorer Preview Pane”

Trick #1: Set MS Outlook as Default Email Application

Trick #2: Repair Corrupted MS Outlook Registry Key

Trick #3: Restore the Outlook Dynamic Link Library

Workaround 1: Set MS Outlook as the Default Email Application

At times, users tend to replace MS Outlook with other email clients by which Microsoft Outlook Professional fails to interface with the associated email program. In order to tackle such instance, one needs to install Microsoft Outlook, in case if it is not installed and make it as the default email client. With this, users can easily access the respective MSG files using MS Outlook. After that, launch Internet Explorer and from the Tools menu, select Internet Options. Under the Programs tab, choose MS Outlook and hit OK.

Workaround 2: Repair Corrupted Outlook Registry Key

This is another issue, which can lead to “MSG files will not display in Windows Explorer preview pane using Outlook 2013.” If the registry key entry of Outlook is corrupted, then MS Office application fails to retrieve accurate information while trying to access the simple MAPI(Messaging Application Programming Interface) interface. Following are the troubleshooting steps to fix the problem,

1. To begin with, press Win+R keys to open the Run dialog box
2. Now, type regedit and click OK to fix “MSG files will not display in Windows Explorer preview pane” issue
3. Under the Registry Editor, navigate to the following subkey i.e., HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Clients\Mail\Microsoft Outlook
4. After that, select the subkey>> press Delete>> click Yes
5. Now, you need to quit the Registry Editor and launch MS Outlook
6. Then, go to Control Panel>> Programs and Features>> select Microsoft Office 2013>> click Change>> click Repair>> hit the Continue button
7. After that, you need to follow the instructions, which appears on the screen to complete the repairing process

Workaround 3: Restore the MS Outlook Dynamic Link Library

DLL(Dynamic Link Layer) files enable multiple programs to share the computer code for related functionality. In case, if you have installed other applications, then it may install an older version of MAPI32.DLL into the system32 folder. Because of which, Outlook will not update this file during the installation process. In order to fix this, users need to extract MSMAPI32.DLL file from MS Outlook to the system32 folder and make sure to rename it into MAPI32.DLL.

MSG Files Will Not Display in Windows Explorer Preview Pane – A Smart Solution

One can follow the aforesaid native method to troubleshoot the mind-scratching issue i.e., MSG file will not display in Windows Explorer preview pane using Outlook 2010. However, if you find these manual methods difficult by any means, then simply turn your attention to MSG to PST Converter. This tool is designed in such a way that it lets users to import multiple MSG files and convert it to PST format. Moreover, it provides a complete preview of the MSG files without Outlook installation in multiple preview modes like Normal Mail View, Hex View, Properties View, Message Header View, HTML View, MIME View and much more. While converting the MSG file to Outlook PST format, there is no worry of data inconsistency issue as this standalone tool ensures to maintain the folder structure effectively.

Let’s Wind Up

Most of the users get panic and fails to troubleshoot when MSG files will not display in Windows Explorer preview pane using Outlook 2016. In order to overcome this issue, this blog describes several manual workarounds for the same. Besides this, we have also elaborated the smart technique i.e., by using MSG to PST Converter.

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