University Computer Help Desk

Before You Begin

RedbirdMail allows you to save copies of your email messages so you have access to them outside of RedbirdMail.

It is normally not necessary to download copies of your email messages. These instructions are provided for cases when you need to save permanent copies of your messages.

Save an Email Message

To save a copy of an email message in RedbirdMail, do the following:

1. Do one of the following:
   
   • Go to https://iCampus.IllinoisState.edu/ and log in.
     Then click Launch RedbirdMail in the E-mail channel.
   • Go to https://RedbirdMail.IllinoisState.edu/ and log in.
2. Your Inbox opens and displays a list of your email messages.
3. Click an email message to view it.
4. Click Save as. This option is located across at the top and the bottom of the email message.
5. If you are prompted to open or save the file, choose to save it.

The email message you downloaded is saved as a .EML file.

Open .EML File (Email Message)

You may be able to open the .EML file using the associated email application, like Outlook, Thunderbird, or Mail. If you have problems using the default application, you can open .EML files using a text editor like Notepad in Windows or TextEdit in Mac OS X.

Open .EML File with Default Application

To use the default application to open the .EML file, do the following:

1. Locate the .EML file and double-click it.
2. The .EML file will open in the associated application so that you can view the email message.

If you have problems opening the .EML file with the associated application, you can open it with a text editor like Notepad in Windows or TextEdit in Mac OS X.

Open .EML File in Notepad in Windows

To use Notepad in Windows to open the .EML file, do the following:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type notepad in the Search box and press Enter. This opens Notepad.
3. Click File > Open....
4. Click the drop-down menu where you see Text Documents (*.txt) and choose All Files (*.*).
5. Browse to the location of the .EML file you want to open.
6. Double-click the .EML file you want to view.

The email message contents are displayed. The message headers are displayed at the top of the file, and the message contents are displayed at the bottom.

The message headers contain information about the route the email message took from the sender to the recipient. Normally, message headers are hidden from view, but in Notepad, the entire contents of the message, including message headers, are displayed.

Open .EML File in TextEdit in Mac OS X

To use TextEdit in Mac OS X to open the .EML file, do the following:

1. Double-click Macintosh HD > Applications > TextEdit.
2. Click File > Open....
3. Browse to the location of the .EML file you want to open.
4. Double-click the .EML file you want to view.

The email message contents are displayed. The message headers are displayed at the top of the file, and the message contents are displayed at the bottom.

The message headers contain information about the route the email message took from the sender to the recipient. Normally, message headers are hidden from view, but in TextEdit, the entire contents of the message, including message headers, are displayed.