New Outlook vs Classic Outlook MSG Files: Where to Find It

When you switch between New Outlook and Classic Outlook, finding your saved MSG files can be confusing. MSG files are the native file format used by Outlook to save individual emails, contacts, or calendar items. New Outlook stores these files in a different default location than Classic Outlook, which often leaves users wondering where their exported items went. This article explains the exact storage paths for MSG files in both versions and shows you how to locate, save, and open them without guesswork.

Why MSG File Storage Differs Between New Outlook and Classic Outlook

Classic Outlook has been the standard desktop client for decades. It uses a local data store called a PST file and allows you to save individual items as MSG files directly from the File menu. The MSG file contains the full item — headers, body, attachments — and is readable by any Outlook version that opens MSG files.

New Outlook, introduced in 2023 as a replacement for the Mail and Calendar app, is a web-based client built on the Outlook Web Access infrastructure. It does not use PST files and does not include the Save As command for MSG format. Instead, New Outlook relies on cloud storage and syncs all data through Microsoft 365. When you need an MSG file from New Outlook, you must use a manual workaround such as dragging an email to your desktop.

Default Save Locations in Classic Outlook

When you use File > Save As in Classic Outlook and choose MSG as the file type, Outlook defaults to the Documents\Outlook Files folder. You can change this location each time you save. Common alternative paths include:

• C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Outlook Files
• C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Desktop
• Any network drive or external storage

Classic Outlook also saves MSG files when you drag an email from the message list to a folder in File Explorer. The file lands in the target folder immediately with the email subject as the file name.

Default Behavior in New Outlook

New Outlook does not create MSG files by default. The Save As option in New Outlook only offers plain text, HTML, or PDF formats. To get an MSG file from New Outlook, you must drag the email from the message list to a File Explorer window or your desktop. The file will be created as an MSG file in that location. There is no built-in way to set a default MSG save folder in New Outlook.

Steps to Locate and Save MSG Files in Both Outlook Versions

Classic Outlook: Save an Email as an MSG File

1. Open the email you want to save
   Double-click the email in your inbox or any folder to open it in its own window.
2. Click File in the ribbon
   This opens the Backstage view with Save As as the first option.
3. Select Save As
   A standard Save As dialog box appears. The default folder is Documents\Outlook Files.
4. Choose MSG as the file type
   In the Save as type dropdown, select Outlook Message Format – Unicode (msg).
5. Pick a location and click Save
   Navigate to any folder you prefer. The MSG file is saved with the email subject as the file name.

New Outlook: Save an Email as an MSG File

1. Open File Explorer and position it next to Outlook
   Resize both windows so you can see your desktop or a target folder.
2. Select the email in New Outlook
   Click once on the email in the message list. Do not double-click to open it.
3. Drag the email to the File Explorer folder
   Hold the left mouse button on the selected email and drag it into the open folder. Release the mouse button.
4. Verify the MSG file appears
   The file appears in the folder with the email subject as the file name and an .msg extension. You can now open it in Classic Outlook or any other application that supports MSG files.

Locate Existing MSG Files on Your Computer

1. Open File Explorer and go to Documents
   Click the Documents folder in the left pane. Look for a subfolder named Outlook Files.
2. Search for msg files
   In the File Explorer search box, type msg and press Enter. This lists every MSG file on your drive. The search may take several minutes if you have many files.
3. Check your Desktop and Downloads folders
   If you dragged emails from New Outlook, the MSG files are often on the desktop. Also check the Downloads folder if you used Save As in Classic Outlook and chose a different path.

Common Problems When Working with MSG Files in New Outlook

New Outlook Cannot Open an MSG File Directly

If you double-click an MSG file on your computer, New Outlook may not open it. New Outlook does not register itself as the default handler for MSG files. To open an MSG file, use Classic Outlook or the standalone Microsoft 365 Outlook desktop app. If you have both versions installed, right-click the MSG file, choose Open with, and select Classic Outlook.

Dragging an Email from New Outlook Creates a Duplicate but Not an MSG File

If dragging an email creates a shortcut or a different file type, your Windows drag-and-drop settings may be misconfigured. Press and hold the Ctrl key while dragging to force a copy. If the file still is not an MSG file, ensure New Outlook is up to date. Go to Settings > General > About Outlook and check for updates.

MSG Files Saved from New Outlook Are Missing Attachments

When you drag an email from New Outlook to File Explorer, the resulting MSG file includes all attachments. If attachments are missing, the original email may have had inline images that were embedded in the body. Those images are part of the HTML body and will appear when you open the MSG file in Classic Outlook. If the attachments are actual files, ensure you are dragging the email from the message list and not from a preview pane. The preview pane sometimes strips attachments during drag operations.

New Outlook vs Classic Outlook: MSG File Handling Comparison

Item	Classic Outlook	New Outlook
Save As MSG option	Available under File > Save As	Not available
Default save location	Documents\Outlook Files	No default; uses target folder
Drag to create MSG	Drag to any folder	Drag to any folder
Open MSG files	Double-click opens in Outlook	Requires Classic Outlook or desktop app
Attachment preservation	All attachments included	All attachments included

This table shows that Classic Outlook has a dedicated Save As command for MSG files, while New Outlook requires a drag-and-drop workaround. Both versions preserve attachments when creating MSG files through drag and drop.

If you work primarily in New Outlook but need MSG files for archiving or sharing with Classic Outlook users, the drag-and-drop method is your only option. For bulk exports, consider using Classic Outlook with the Save As command or the built-in Export feature that creates PST files instead of individual MSG files.

To quickly find all MSG files on your system, use Windows Search with the query ext:.msg. You can then organize these files into a dedicated folder for easier access. Remember that MSG files created in New Outlook via drag and drop are fully compatible with Classic Outlook and can be opened, forwarded, or archived without any conversion.