As you may know, “Message Headers” (aka “Message Source”, or “Internet Headers” in Outlook), contains all the technical details of a received email message. More specifically, the “Message Headers” of an e-mail message contain, in addition to the usual information (sender, sending time, etc.), the software used to compose the message and the servers that passed before it was delivered to you.
To view the Message Source/Headers in Microsoft Outlook desktop application, you can use one of the following ways:
- How to view the Message Headers in Outlook 2016/2019 after opening Email Message
- How to view the Message Headers in Outlook 2016/2019 without Opening the Email Message.
How to view the Message Headers in Outlook 2016/2019 after opening email.
The usual way to display the message source of an email message in Microsoft Outlook 2016/2019, is to open the email and view its properties:
1. Open the email message (on its own window) and click the File menu.
2. From File menu, click Properties.
3. Look at Internet headers, to view the email’s message source (details).
* Note: Select and copy the Internet Headers text in Notepad, for easier reading.
How to view the Message Headers in Outlook 2016/2019 without Opening Email Message.
The problem of viewing the message source (Internet Headers) after opening the email message, is that if the message contains a malware you may expose your computer to risk. To avoid this, proceed and follow the instructions bellow in order to be able to read the message source without opening the email.
1. In the main Outlook window, choose File -> Options.
2. Select Customize Ribbon on the left and on the right:
a. At Choose commands from dropdown list, select Commands Not in the Ribbon.
b. Make sure that at Main Tabs the Home (Mail) is selected and click New Group and then click Rename.
c. Rename the “New Group” to “Internet Headers” and click OK.
d. Now choose Message Options from the list of commands and click Add.
e. Now you should see the ‘Message Options’ under the new group you created (“Internet Headers”). Click OK to apply changes.
3. Now on your Home tab, you should see a new button named “Message Options – Internet Headers”.
5. From now on, just highlight the message that you want to view its message source and click the “Message Options” button to view its message source without having to open the message on its own window.
That’s all folks! Did it work for you?
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