Written by Jennifer Walsh. Reviewed for technical accuracy by Shubham Dixit, Independent Expert in Email Forensics and Data File Conversion.
Shubham is an independent external reviewer and not an employee of PCDOTS.
Quick answer. There is no extract_attachments() method in the extract_msg library, which is why the AttributeError appears. The attachments sit in msg.attachments, so loop over them and call save on each. No code? Open the .msg in Outlook and save the attachments, or use a tool to pull them from many files at once.
On this page
The extract_msg AttributeError, and the fix
If you landed here from a Python error, this is the part you want. The extract_msg library reads Outlook .msg files, and a lot of people try to pull attachments with a call like msg.extract_attachments(), then hit AttributeError, Message object has no attribute extract_attachments. The reason is simple, that method does not exist. The attachments are not behind a method at all, they sit in a list called msg.attachments, and you save each one.
There is no extract_attachments() method, the attachments are the msg.attachments list.
“This error trips people up constantly in forensic scripting, and the fix is not a workaround, it is the actual design. extract_msg exposes attachments as a list on the message, not as a method you call, so the moment you loop msg.attachments and save each item the problem disappears. When I am processing a whole evidence set of .msg files rather than one, I move to a batch tool so nothing is missed and every attachment keeps its original name and type. But for a single file, the library is right there and free.” Shubham Dixit, Email Forensics reviewer (draft, pending approval)
Here is the whole thing. Install with pip install extract-msg, then loop the list and save.
import extract_msg
msg = extract_msg.Message("email.msg")
for attachment in msg.attachments:
attachment.save(customPath="attachments")Each item in msg.attachments is a real attachment, and save writes it to disk keeping its own name and extension. Pass customPath to send them all to a folder. That is the entire fix, no extra method needed.
The one-line command way
If you do not want to write a script at all, the same library ships a command. Point it at a .msg file and it builds a folder holding the message and its attachments.
python -m extract_msg email.msgThis is the fastest route for a one off, and it works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux wherever Python is installed.
No code, save them in Outlook
If you have Outlook and only a few files, you do not need any of the above. Double-click the .msg so it opens, then use File, Save Attachments, and pick a folder. You can also just drag an attachment straight out of the open message onto your desktop. Both pull the attachment out in its original format, for free, with nothing to install.
With Outlook open, File then Save Attachments is the free no-code route.
Many MSG files at once
The routes above are perfect for one file or a quick script. When you have hundreds or thousands of .msg files and no wish to code, and maybe no Outlook either, doing it one at a time is the problem. A batch tool reads a whole folder of .msg files and pulls every attachment out together, in its original format. The PCDOTS MSG Converter does exactly that on Windows, no Outlook needed, with a preview and a free version so you can test a folder before you buy.
The tool route, a folder of .msg files to their attachments in one pass.
Here are the steps with the screens.
Step 1. Install and run the software on Windows, then open the menu.
Step 2. Choose MSG files and add the folder so the messages load.
Step 3. Preview the messages, then open Extract and choose Attachments.
Step 4. Pick the Attachments option and Save to a destination folder.
For the same job on other formats, see our guides to extract attachments from PST files, extract attachments from EML files and extract attachments from DBX files.
The methods compared
Pick by whether you code, and how many files you have.
| Method | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| extract_msg in Python | Coders, automation | Use msg.attachments, save each |
| Outlook Save Attachments | A few files, free | Needs Outlook installed |
| MSG Converter tool | Many files, no code | Windows, no Outlook needed |
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get AttributeError, Message object has no attribute extract_attachments?
Because extract_msg has no extract_attachments() method. The attachments are in the msg.attachments list, so loop over that and call save on each item instead.
How do I save attachments with extract_msg?
Open the file with extract_msg.Message, then for each attachment in msg.attachments call attachment.save, passing customPath to choose a folder.
Is there a one-line way without a script?
Yes. Run python -m extract_msg yourfile.msg and it creates a folder holding the message and its attachments.
How do I extract attachments from an MSG file without any code?
Open the .msg in Outlook and use File then Save Attachments, or drag the attachment out of the open message. Both keep the original format.
How do I extract attachments from many MSG files at once?
Use a batch tool that reads a whole folder of .msg files and saves every attachment together, which avoids opening each one by hand.
Do the attachments keep their original file types?
Yes. Whether you use the library, Outlook or a tool, each attachment comes out in its own format, such as PDF, DOCX or JPG.
The one correction that fixes it
Almost everyone who hits this is one word away from done. There is no extract_attachments() method to call, the attachments are already sitting in the msg.attachments list, so you loop that and save each one. That single change clears the AttributeError for good. If you are not scripting at all, Outlook saves them for free through File then Save Attachments, and when it is a whole folder of .msg files a batch tool pulls every attachment at once. Same result each way, the message stays put and the files come out in their own formats.
