Desktop Version of Outlook email: How to View Source?

Question

Desktop Version of Outlook email: How to View Source?

=D 145

I'm concerned I have a virus. For reasons that are utterly perplexing Outlook only allows the user to click a link (i.e. open a browser with link embedded in email). The user cannot simply, right click, and copy link for examination. Often, I'll paste a suspicious link into a text editor for inspection.

Furthermore, when I attempt to search the internet on how "view source" of an email in Outlook all instruction I've come across are incorrect for whatever convoluted reason (menus aren't the same).

So, my question is this:

How do I apply the most fundamental and basic of operations: How do I view the source code of an email in Outlook?

I'm using the Desktop version of Outlook. I can't tell you what version I have because the Help >> About feature is missing from my version of Outlook. Just to make it more difficult.

I can tell you that I'm using Windows 11 Pro. I use the business version of Microsoft Products. I always keep everything up to date at all times.

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Answer 1

Vy Nguyen 10,400 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @=D,

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Based on the information you shared that Classic Outlook on Windows 11 where you want to inspect suspicious links without opening them and you also need to view an email’s source details, but the menu paths you found online do not match what you see.

In Classic Outlook, what many sites call “view source” can vary by build and interface layout, and Microsoft primarily exposes the technical source information through message headers and saved message formats rather than a single universal “source” menu for every view. As a result, the most reliable approach is to use the built in message properties and export options that allow you to review the message content in a non-interactive way.

Below are some workable options that might be the most appropriate for your current situation:

1/ Review the full Internet headers in Classic Outlook (best for legitimacy checks)

Open the email in a separate window by double clicking it in your message list.
Select File, then select Properties.

User's image

In the Internet headers box, copy the content and paste it into a plain text editor for easier reading and searching.

User's image

When reviewing, focus on the From line and authentication results because these details help identify spoofing and unexpected routing behavior.
Reference: View internet message headers in Outlook - Microsoft Support

2/ Save the message as an HTML file and inspect links without opening them

Double click the message to open it, then select File, then select Save As.
Choose HTML as the file type and save it to a known folder. Microsoft notes that saving as HTML preserves formatting, images, and links, and it also keeps header fields such as From, To, Cc, and Subject.
Open the saved HTML file using a text editor so you can search for link references and review the destination addresses as plain text, which keeps your review process non interactive.
Reference: Save an Outlook message as a .eml file, a PDF file, or as a draft - Microsoft Support

3/ Confirm your exact Outlook build and ensure the message format supports full inspection

In Outlook, select File, then select Office Account and review the Product Information area for the version and build details, and if Office Account is not available, use Help as indicated by Microsoft.

User's image

If you need to ensure the message content is handled in HTML rather than plain text, Microsoft provides steps to switch message format and to set the default compose format in Classic Outlook via File, Options, then Mail.
After confirming the build and format, repeat Solution 1 and Solution 2 because they work consistently across Classic Outlook builds even when ribbon layouts differ.

I hope the information I shared earlier was somewhat helpful in addressing your issue. If you have any further questions or updates, please don’t hesitate to share. I’m always happy to assist further if needed.

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. I look forward to continuing the conversation.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have any extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

=D 145 Reputation points

2026-05-04T18:22:41.7966667+00:00

I have the following version of Outlook:

Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2603 Build 16.0.19822.20086) 64-bit

This still doesn't tell me if I have the "Classic" Outlook or the "New" Outlook.

I don't have a "Save As" in the Properties dialog.

I need to view the source in the BODY of the message in Outlook. Every email program on the planet can achieve this ultra-simple operation. Was that removed from Outlook as well?
Vy Nguyen 10,400 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-04T20:38:28.61+00:00
Hi @=D,

Thank you for your prompt response and for providing your Outlook build information.

From your description, you would like to confirm whether you are using classic Outlook or the new Outlook, and you also need to view the HTML source of the message body rather than only the headers, because you want to inspect suspicious content safely.

This happens because the version string you provided identifies the Microsoft 365 Apps build, not the Outlook experience type, and the available commands differ between classic Outlook and the new Outlook interface. In addition, the Properties window is designed for message diagnostics such as Internet headers, so it will not include a Save As command, which is available elsewhere depending on the Outlook experience you are using.

1/ Confirm whether you have classic Outlook or the new Outlook (quick and definitive)

Open Outlook and look at the top right corner for a Settings button. If Settings is present, that indicates the new Outlook for Windows.

If Settings is not present, you are using classic Outlook for Windows.

For additional confirmation, Microsoft documents where to check version details depending on the experience type.

Reference: What version of Outlook do I have? - Microsoft Support

2/ If you are using classic Outlook, open the message body source directly

Double click the email to open it in its own window.

In the message window, use one of these methods that may be available on your build:

Right click inside the message body area and select View Source.

On the Message tab, locate Actions, then select Other Actions, then select View Source.

If View Source is not offered in your classic Outlook interface, the supported alternative is to save the message to a file and inspect it outside Outlook: open the message, select File, select Save As, then choose HTML and open the saved file in a text editor to review the HTML markup. Save an Outlook message as a file.

3/ If you are using the new Outlook, use the supported workaround to view the body HTML source

Open the message, then select More actions on the message toolbar, and select Save as to download the message as a file.

Open the saved message file with a text editor, then search within the file for the text/html section to review the body HTML source in plain text.

When you also need to verify sender and routing information, open More actions, then choose View, then View message details to review header level details.

To help me tailor the exact steps to your current interface, can you please provide a screenshot through private message showing the top toolbar of the opened email where the More actions menu appears, so I can guide you using the precise options you have on screen.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding throughout this process. If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time.

I look forward to your update.
=D 145 Reputation points

2026-05-04T20:46:51.1866667+00:00

I don't have the same icons that you show and therefore have absolutely no idea where the settings button is located. Expressing a version number is an ultra-simplistic method of describing the software - but, it seems, this too, is lost on Microsoft. I'm very busy at work right now. When and if I'll have time, I'll circle back. But thanks for help.
Vy Nguyen 10,400 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-04T22:53:24.92+00:00

Please check your private message for more information.
Vy Nguyen 10,400 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-05T21:11:14.1733333+00:00

Hi @=D,

I hope everything is going well on your end.

I’m following up on the support thread we've been working through together. I wanted to check in and see if the information I shared in my previous answer helped resolve the issue you were experiencing.

If you're still experiencing any issues or have further questions, please feel free to reach out at any time. I’m always happy to help if you need anything else.

I want to ensure everything is functioning smoothly and that your experience remains seamless.

Thank you again for your collaboration throughout the troubleshooting process.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Answer 2

In classic Outlook for Windows, the full message source (including all links) is viewed through the message headers/properties dialog.

Use the steps for the classic desktop client:

Open the email message in its own window (double‑click it in the message list).
On the File tab, select Properties in the Info area.
- Alternatively, on the Ribbon, in the Tags group, select the small Dialog Box Launcher icon in the lower‑right corner.
In the Properties dialog, the raw headers and related information are shown in the Internet headers box.

This view exposes the technical details of the message, including routing and header fields. For link inspection, also ensure the message is not being forced into plain text, which can affect how links appear:

Select File > Options.
Select Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.
Select Email Security.
Under Read as Plain Text, clear Read all standard mail in plain text if it is enabled, or use the InfoBar in a specific message to switch between Display as HTML and plain text as needed.

To examine links without opening them in a browser, copy them from the message body (or from the headers/source as above) and paste into a text editor.

References:

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Desktop Version of Outlook email: How to View Source?

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