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Fix New Outlook Not Recognizing X-Unsent Header in EML Files
Question details
Manually generated EML files utilizing the X-Unsent header are not being reliably marked or opened as drafts in the New Outlook application.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening a manually created EML file that is intended to function as an editable draft email before sending.
- Observed behavior
- New Outlook ignores the X-Unsent header, preventing the EML file from opening in draft mode and disallowing direct editing before sending.
Ensure your Windows device is connected to a stable internet connection, as you will need to download the latest Microsoft Outlook and WebView2 updates to resolve this parsing issue.
Update Microsoft Outlook and WebView2
Microsoft has officially fixed the X-Unsent header parsing issue in recent software releases. Updating your client is the most reliable way to restore this functionality.
The bug preventing the correct reading of the X-Unsent header in EML files has been patched. To ensure the fix takes effect, your Outlook version must be 1.2026.105.100 or higher, with Client version 20260109002.06 and WebView2 version 143.0.3650.139 or newer.
Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC, navigate to the 'Library' section in the bottom left corner, and click 'Get updates' to ensure New Outlook is updated to the latest version.
Windows typically updates WebView2 automatically. To force a check, go to Windows Settings > Windows Update and click 'Check for updates' to download the latest WebView2 Runtime.
Once the updates are completely installed, restart your computer and open New Outlook to verify that EML files with the X-Unsent header now correctly open as drafts.
Create and Save Drafts Directly in Outlook
If you are unable to install updates immediately, you can bypass the EML file generation entirely by handling drafts natively inside Outlook.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the X-Unsent header in an EML file?
The X-Unsent header is a specific email metadata tag indicating that the message is a draft and has not yet been delivered. When set to '1', compatible email clients will open the file in a composing window rather than a standard reading pane.
Why did New Outlook stop recognizing my manually generated EML drafts?
Earlier builds of New Outlook for Windows had a known bug related to the Microsoft Edge WebView2 integration, which caused the client to fail at parsing the X-Unsent header. This has been resolved in Outlook version 1.2026.105.100 and newer.
How can I check my current version of Microsoft Edge WebView2?
You can check your WebView2 version by navigating to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for 'WebView2' in the app list, click the three dots next to it, and select 'Advanced options' or check the version number displayed directly below the app name.
Are there other ways to open EML files as drafts?
If New Outlook continues to have issues, you can open EML files using legacy desktop clients like Outlook Classic, Mozilla Thunderbird, or Windows Mail, which have historically maintained strong support for the X-Unsent header.
