100% Private & Secure

Free DBX Viewer
Inspect Outlook Express Files

Drop an Outlook Express .dbx file to browse emails. DBX stores RFC 822 messages — we parse headers and body. No upload.

Header analysisVersion detectionHex dump viewLegacy format support

Drop your .dbx file here

or click to browse

Overview

What Is a DBX File?

DBX is the format used by Outlook Express (Windows XP and earlier) to store folder contents — Inbox, Sent Items, Deleted Items, etc. Each folder is a separate .dbx file. The format is proprietary and begins with the magic bytes CF AD 12 FE (hex). Outlook Express has been discontinued; DBX files are legacy but still appear in backups and migrations.

This free DBX Viewer reads the file on your device and parses basic header info: filename, size, version, and an interpreted item count where applicable. It also shows a hex dump of the first 512 bytes. Full message parsing requires desktop software.

Use the viewer to verify a file is a valid DBX, inspect structure before conversion to EML or PST, or confirm backups — all without uploading your data.

Features

Features of the DBX Viewer

Inspect Outlook Express DBX files with no install

Magic byte check

Verify DBX magic bytes (CF AD 12 FE) for Outlook Express folder/mail files.

Header parsing

Read version and interpreted item count from the DBX header where documented.

Hex dump

View the first 512 bytes in a monospace grid: offset, hex, and ASCII for structure inspection.

No upload

DBX files are processed on your device only. Nothing is sent to any server.

Private & secure

Your DBX file never leaves your device. Ideal for legacy mailbox inspection.

Works everywhere

Use on Windows, Mac, or Linux. No Outlook Express or desktop DBX tool required.

How it works

How to View DBX File Structure Online

Four simple steps — no install, no sign-up

01
01

Open the DBX Viewer

Go to the DBX Viewer page and you'll see the upload area.

02
02

Drop your .dbx file

Drag and drop an Outlook Express .dbx file, or click to browse and select one.

03
03

View header & metadata

Filename, size, version, and item count (if available) are shown in a clean info card.

04
04

Inspect hex dump

Review the first 512 bytes in offset | hex | ASCII layout for structure analysis.

Use cases

Use Cases for the DBX Viewer

When and why to inspect DBX files online

Legacy mailbox recovery

Verify old Outlook Express DBX files before migrating or recovering with desktop tools.

DBX to PST/EML migration

Inspect DBX structure before converting to PST or EML with a dedicated converter.

Support & archives

Confirm file type and format for support or archival without uploading full content.

No Outlook Express

Check DBX files on a machine that doesn't have Outlook Express (discontinued).

Developer inspection

Inspect DBX header and raw bytes for documentation or tool development.

Backup verification

Confirm backup or copied DBX files are valid before recovery.

Compare Plans

Free vs Paid — DBX Viewer

Get started free, upgrade when you need more power.

Feature
Free
Paid
Daily usage
5 uses/day
Unlimited
File size limit
10 MB
Up to 500 MB
All core features
No software installation
Works on any device
Files stay on your device
Batch processing
Priority support
Upgrade — starting at $6.99/mo
Upgrade to Full Version

Unlock the Full Power of DBX Viewer

Remove daily limits, process larger files up to 500 MB, enable batch processing, and get priority support.

Buy Full Version — $6.99/moor $300 enterprise

File Viewers includes:

  • 21 file viewers included
  • Unlimited daily uses
  • 100 MB file size limit
  • All file formats supported
  • Email analysis tools

Also available in the All Tools Bundle

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the DBX Viewer

Q1. What is a DBX file?
DBX is Outlook Express's format for storing folder contents (Inbox, Sent, etc.). Each folder is a separate .dbx file. The format is proprietary; files start with magic bytes CF AD 12 FE. Outlook Express is discontinued; full parsing requires dedicated desktop software.
Q2. Do you upload my DBX file?
No. The DBX Viewer processes your file entirely on your device. Your data is never sent to our servers.
Q3. Why can't I see my emails?
Full DBX parsing (messages, headers, body) requires desktop software. This viewer provides file structure analysis and header information only.
Q4. Is Outlook Express still supported?
No. Outlook Express was discontinued. DBX files are legacy; you can still open and convert them with third-party desktop tools.
Q5. Is the DBX Viewer free?
Yes. The tool is free to use with no sign-up and no limits.
Q6. What if the header shows invalid?
The file may not be a standard DBX or could be corrupted. Check the hex dump to verify the first four bytes are CF AD 12 FE.
Q7. Does it work on Mac?
Yes. You can open the viewer in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Q8. Can I convert DBX to EML or PST?
This viewer only inspects structure. For conversion, use a dedicated desktop or online converter that supports DBX.
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