Viewing full message headers (Outlook 2010)

To view a full message header in Outlook (with all the technical details tracing the message’s path), do the following:

1.  Open a message by double-clicking it.

2.  Click the File tab to open the Backstage View.

3.  Finally, click the Properties button.

4.  When the Properties dialog appears, navigate to the Internet Headers field at the bottom of the dialog. You can use the scroll bar to view the entire header.

If you prefer, you can add a button to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) that will enable you to view a message’s headers without opening the message. To do so:

1.  Right-click the QAT, then click Customize Quick Access Toolbar (alternatively, click the down-pointing arrow to the right of the right-most icon on the QAT, then click More Commands).

2.  When the Outlook Options dialog opens, navigate to the upper left side of the main screen. Click the “Choose commands from“ drop-down and change the display from “Popular Commands” to “All Commands.“

3.  In the command list below the drop-down, scroll about halfway down to “Message Options.”

4.  Click to select it, then click the “Add” button in the center of the screen. That will add it to the commands listed on the right side under “Customize Quick Access Toolbar.”

5.  If you like, move the “Message Options” icon up (which will position it farther to the left on the QAT) by clicking the “Up” arrow to the right of the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” box.

6.  When you’ve finished, click “OK” to save your changes.

You’ll see the “Message Options” icon on the QAT. To view a message’s headers, click to select the message, then simply click the “Message Options” icon.

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