There are different reasons to why a user may want to view an e-mail header. Below is a short list of different reasons why a user may want to view the headers.

  • Troubleshoot issues with e-mail.
  • Grab information that helps treat future messages as spam.
  • Determine who really sent an e-mail.

Below are the steps required for viewing an e-mail header in all e-mail programs and services.

Microsoft Outlook users

  • From Outlook, right-click the e-mail and choose Options.
  • At the bottom of the Message Options window, you can view the e-mail or Internet headers.
  • If you want to copy this header to help report SPAM, click in this window and press Ctrl+A to select all text, and press Ctrl+C to copy the text.

Microsoft Outlook Express users

  • Open the e-mail you want to view.
  • Select File and click Properties.
  • Finally, click the Details tab to view the e-mail header.
  • If you want to copy this header to help report SPAM, click in this window and press Ctrl+A to select all text, and press Ctrl+C to copy the text.

Mozilla Thunderbird users

  • Open Thunderbird.
  • Click View at the top of the window.
  • Click Headers and select All. Once selected, all messages you want to view now have the header at the top.

Google Gmail users

  • Open the e-mail in Google Gmail.
  • Click the down arrow in the top-right portion of the e-mail.
  • In the menu that appears after clicking the down arrow, click show original. After clicking this, a new window appears with the complete original message including the e-mail header.

Microsoft Hotmail users

  • Open the e-mail in Microsoft Hotmail.

  • In the message, click the Options at the top-right portion of the screen.

  • Click Mail Display Settings.

  • In this screen you’ll be able to select None, Basic, Full, or Advanced. If you want to display the headers, select Full or Advanced.

  • Click Ok. After completing these steps, each message you open shows the e-mail header.

  • Microsoft Outlook users

  • Microsoft Outlook Express users

  • Mozilla Thunderbird users

  • Google Gmail users

  • Microsoft Hotmail users

  • Understanding the information contained in an e-mail header.
  • See the e-mail definition for further information and related links.
  • E-mail help and support.