To view Internet headers in Microsoft Outlook

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To view Internet headers

The method depends on the version of Outlook. With the exception of Outlook 2003, Outlook displays only the headers, not the full message source. If viewing headers is something you need to do often, use Pocketknife Peek or VBA code to view and copy the headers.

Outlook 2000 | Outlook 98 | Outlook 97 | More Information | Tools

Outlook 2003

Method #1: Right-click the message in the folder view, then choose Options.

Method #2: In an open message, choose View | Options.

With either method, you'll see the Internet headers portion of the Message Options dialog.

Outlook 2003 gives you the option of adding the SaveAllMIMENotJustHeaders registry key to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options\Mail to include the message source in the header.

For more information, see View the Message Source in Outlook 2003

Outlook 2000, Outlook 2002

Method #1: Right-click the message in the folder view, then choose Options.

Method #2: In an open message, choose View | Options.

With either method, you'll see the Internet headers portion of the Message Options dialog.

Outlook 98

In an open message, choose View | Options. Look at the Internet headers portion of the Message Options dialog.

Outlook 97

With the Internet E-mail service (Outlook 97 version 8.02 or later, or Internet Mail Enhancement Patch) or Microsoft Exchange Server service: Open any message and look for Internet headers on the Options tab. If you don't see the Options tab, choose View | Message Header to display it.

With the older Internet Mail service: Select a message in the folder view, or open a message, then choose File | Properties, and switch to the Internet tab. If you don't see the Internet tab, choose Tools | Options from the main Outlook menu. Switch to the General tab, and click the Add-In Manager button. Click Add, and select the Minet.ecf. Close all the dialog boxes. You should now be able to view the Internet tab.

More Information

To use the headers to figure out who is sending you junk mail or spam, see Figuring out fake E-Mail & Posts.

Internet Mail Issues with Microsoft Outlook

Viewing Outlook's Internet headers

View the Message Source in Outlook 2003

Tools

Pocketknife Peek - view headers or source easily. Does not trigger Outlook's security warning.

Use VBA and CDO to view or copy the headers (and source). Outlook's security warning is triggered unless you use Redemption.

Examples using Redemption

Updated Feb 15 2009