how to read encrypted email message in outlook

Question

how to read encrypted email message in outlook

Jeff X 0

I received an email in my hotmail, (outlook), account. It is protected by microsoft azure. It says I can view it using a supported PDF reader app. I don't know how to download and use any of these apps. Help please.

Himaja Y 375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-01T11:52:44.44+00:00
Hi @Jeff X ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

The message you received is likely protected using Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (formerly Azure Rights Management/Office 365 Message Encryption). In most cases, Outlook.com (Hotmail), Outlook desktop, and Outlook mobile can open encrypted messages directly without requiring you to install a separate PDF reader.

How to access the encrypted message

Open the email in your Hotmail/Outlook mailbox.

Look for a button such as"Read the message","View message", or"Sign in and view your encrypted message."

Sign in using the same Microsoft account that received the email.

If prompted, select the one-time passcode option. Microsoft will send a verification code to your email address. Enter the code to access the protected content.

If the email contains a message.html attachment, open the attachment and follow the authentication prompts to view the encrypted message.

Additional troubleshooting

If you do not see the"Read the message" button:

Open the email using Outlook.com in a web browser instead of a third-party mail application.

Try a different browser (Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox).

Disable browser extensions such as ad blockers or script blockers temporarily and reload the message.

Ensure that JavaScript and cookies are enabled in your browser.

Check whether the email contains a message.html attachment and open that attachment manually.

If you do not receive the one-time passcode:

Check your Inbox, Junk/Spam, and Clutter folders.

Wait a few minutes and request a new passcode.

Verify that you are using the same email address that received the encrypted message.

Ensure that mailbox rules are not automatically moving Microsoft verification emails to another folder.

If the message still cannot be opened, please share:

A screenshot of the email (excluding sensitive information)

The email client being used (Outlook.com, Outlook desktop, mobile app, Gmail, etc.)

Any error message displayed during sign-in or passcode validation

Whether a message.html attachment is present

These details will help identify whether the issue is related to message encryption, browser authentication, or a protected attachment.

References:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/mail/open-encrypted-and-protected-messages

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/account-management/sign-in-to-view-your-microsoft-365-encrypted-message
Himaja Y 375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-02T11:00:57.2166667+00:00

Hi @Jeff X ,

I hope you had a chance to review the information shared earlier, and I hope this information has been helpful! If you still have questions, please let us know what is needed in the comments so the question can be answered.

2 answers

Your answer

Himaja Y 375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-02T11:00:57.2166667+00:00

Hi @Jeff X ,

I hope you had a chance to review the information shared earlier, and I hope this information has been helpful! If you still have questions, please let us know what is needed in the comments so the question can be answered.

Answer 1

Jeff X 0

There is no link or tab that says read the message, or sign in to view your encrypted message

0 comments

Answer 2

@Jeff X I hope you are doing well,

There are three ways I know from experience to do it

Option 1: Open Directly in Microsoft Edge (Windows / Mac)

Microsoft Edge includes built-in support for reading Azure-protected PDF files without installing extra software:

Download the attachment: Save the protected attachment from your Hotmail/Outlook email to your computer (e.g., in your Downloads folder).
Right-click the downloaded file > select Open with > Microsoft Edge.
When prompted, click Sign in and enter your Hotmail/Outlook email address and password (the exact email account where you received the message).
Edge will authenticate your identity against Microsoft Azure and decrypt the file on your screen.

Option 2: Use the Official Microsoft Purview / AIP Viewer

If the attachment ends with .ppdf, .pfile, or cannot be read by Edge:

Download the free official viewer: Download the Microsoft Purview Information Protection Viewer from the official Microsoft Download Center.
Run the installer (PurviewInfoProtectionViewer.exe).
Once installed, right-click the protected attachment > Open with > Information Protection Viewer.
Sign in with your Hotmail account to decrypt and view the document.

Option 3: If You Are on Mobile (iOS / Android)

Download the Azure Information Protection (or Microsoft Purview Information Protection) app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the attachment from your Outlook app and choose Open in AIP Viewer, then sign in with your Hotmail credentials.

References:

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