How to attach an email to another email in Outlook

Sometimes you need to send an email itself, not just forward its text: to show IT a suspicious message, pass a thread to a lawyer, or send several emails at once. Outlook can attach whole emails. The steps depend on your version.

By David Ray · Updated October 30, 2026 · 5 min read · How we research

See also: Using Gmail? See how to attach an email in Gmail.

Why attach an email instead of forwarding it?

• Reporting phishing or spam: IT teams often need the original message with its full headers. An attached email keeps them; a normal forward does not.
• Several emails at once: attach five emails to one message instead of forwarding five times.
• Keeping the original intact: the recipient can open it exactly as you got it, including its own attachments.

The attached email arrives as a file. Depending on the recipient's app, it shows as a .msg or .eml file. Our guide to EML vs MSG files explains the difference, and how to open an EML file helps if they can't open it.

New Outlook for Windows

1. Reply, forward or create a new email.
2. Find the email you want to attach in your message list.
3. Drag it directly into the message you're writing. As you drag over it, Microsoft says a Drop messages here hint appears.
4. Let go. The email appears as an attachment. Repeat for more emails.
5. Add your note and click Send.

Tip: if the new message covers your inbox, pop it out into its own window first so you can see both.

Outlook on the web and Outlook.com

1. Start a new message, or reply or forward one.
2. Select Open in new window at the top right of the message, so it opens separately.
3. Arrange the windows so you can see both your message list and the new message.
4. Select the emails you want to attach (hold Ctrl to pick several).
5. Drag them from the message list into the body of your new message.

In current versions of Outlook on the web, Microsoft says you can drag the message from the list straight into your message without a separate window.

Classic Outlook: Attach Item

1. Create a new email, or reply or forward one.
2. In the message window, open the Attach File menu (called Attach Item in some versions).
3. Choose Outlook Item. Microsoft's help lists it as "Attach Item › Outlook Item – attach an email message."
4. Browse to the folder, select the email, and click OK.
5. Write your note and send.

Classic Outlook: Forward as Attachment

One email:

1. Select the email in the message list.
2. On the Home tab, select More Respond Actions › Forward as Attachment.
3. A new message opens with the email attached. Add the recipient and send.

Several emails at once: Microsoft says to click one message, hold Ctrl and click each other message, then click Forward (or press Ctrl+F). A new message opens with the selected messages as attachments.

What the recipient sees

Recipients using Outlook can usually open the attached email in its own window. In other apps or on phones it may show as a file to download. If your recipient struggles, send a PDF or a normal forward as well.

Privacy check: an attached email includes everything in the original, including other people's addresses, earlier replies further down the thread, and any files. Read it before you send it on.

Size limits and tips

• Attached emails count toward the size limit, including their own attachments. If an email with big photos won't attach, see email attachment size limits.
• Reporting phishing? Don't click anything in the original first. Attach it and send it to your IT team, or use your organization's Report button if it has one.
• Need a PDF instead? Some people can't open email files. See how to save an email as a PDF.

Questions people ask

How do I attach an email to an email in new Outlook?

Open a new message or reply, then drag the email from your message list into it. A "Drop messages here" hint appears as you drag.

Where is Forward as Attachment in Outlook?

In classic Outlook, select the email and go to Home, More Respond Actions, Forward as Attachment.

How do I attach multiple emails in Outlook?

In classic Outlook, hold Ctrl to select several emails and click Forward; they're added as attachments. In new Outlook and the web, select several and drag them into your message.

Why attach an email instead of forwarding it?

An attached email keeps the original message intact, including its headers and attachments. IT teams often need that to check a phishing email.

What file type is an attached Outlook email?

Usually .msg from Outlook for Windows, or .eml. Most email apps can open either.

Does attaching an email include its attachments?

Yes. The attached email keeps its own attachments, so the total size can add up quickly.