Windows 7: Changing file types.

Hi,
Having just upgraded from Vista (great move) I find I have a couple of files in
my folders that I cannot now read. It is not a BIG deal if I cannot but I should still like to be able to.
These are ".eml" files which, I believe, were attachments through Windows Mail which,of course, is gone in Windows 7. I only use Google Mail now in any event.
Is there any way these files can be converted to a readable format ? There are a few pay for converters on the web but I do not want these really. I believe there is a way that these can be converted to mht or likewise. Help would be appreciated.
Incidentally, ten days into Windows 7 has been a revelation...speed, no errors, BSODs or any of the Vista plagues. Best move I ever made.

Hello Peter,

To be able to read/open a .eml (email) file, you would need to install a email client program. A good free one would be Windows Live Mail. In it, you coud also setup an email account to read your Google Mail in as well.

Setup Gmail in Windows Live Mail (Gmail Email Account Setup)

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks,Shawn, that should help though I never really cared for the old Windows Mail for several reasons. However.

Peter

You're welcome Peter.

I can understand that. You could also use any email client program you like though. It will just need to be able to support having a Gmail account (IMAP) for you to be able to read your GMAIL email from.

I would try to trick it by changing the filetype to .txt - works sometimes but not always.

Dear whs,

How does one go about changing the file type ? All my queries in this regard have ended in a cul-de-sac. Thanks.

1. uncheck the box in "Hide extensions for known filetypes". You find this box if you bring up any file and go to "Organize" (left top) followed by "Folder and Search options" then the "View tab". Once unchecked, you will see the filetype for any file.

2. now you go to the file in question and just right click > Rename and change the filetype - e.g. .jpeg to .txt or whatever and hit Enter. You will get a warning message that you skip. That does not always yield a valid result, but sometimes it works.

Thanks, but nothing works. I have to consider the file completely lost which, in any event, is of no great significance anyway.

Well, at least we tried.