A Step-By-Step Guide to Editing the HTML Source of an Email

Editing HTML source in Windows Live Mail and Outlook Express

Windows Live Mail and Outlook Express are discontinued email clients that included a View Source capability. They were replaced by Windows Mail, which is fast, light, and built to handle only the core basics of email to run quickly. It does not include a method to view the HTML source of an email.

If you compose a rich HTML message in Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express, you can do a lot with the formatting toolbar, but you cannot do everything HTML offers. With access to the HTML source, you can.

If you want to learn how an incoming email managed its striking look, check the HTML source code on the incoming email.

Edit the HTML Source of a Message in Windows Live Mail and Outlook Express

To edit the HTML source code of a message you are composing in Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express.

  1. Select View Source Edit from the message's menu.

  2. Click on the Source tab at the bottom of the window.

  3. Edit the HTML source as much as you like.

To return to the default Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express composition window, go to the Edit tab.

Edit the HTML Source of a Message You Receive

If you want to see the HTML source code in a message you receive in Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express: 

  1. Open the message in Windows Live Mail or Outlook Express.

  2. Press and hold Ctrl and press the F2 key.

This brings up an editor with the text of the email source in it, where you can view the coding and edit it for your own use.

Turn Off HTML Code Highlighting

If you find the default HTML source highlighting distracting, you can turn it off.

Was this page helpful?