How to Forward an Email Error to IT

If you receive an email error, bounce-back message, or other unexpected email notification, the Technology Help Desk may ask you to send the original email as an attachment. This preserves important technical information, such as email headers, that can help with troubleshooting.

Send the message to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu using one of the methods below.

Microsoft Outlook Desktop App

1. Open Outlook and locate the email containing the error.
2. Click File and select Save As.
3. Save the email as an Outlook Message Format (.msg) file.
4. Create a new email to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu.
5. Briefly describe the problem.
6. Attach the saved .msg file and send the email.

You can also drag the original email from Outlook into a new message to attach it.

Outlook on the Web

1. Sign in to Outlook on the web and locate the email containing the error.
2. Create a new email to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu.
3. Drag the original email from your message list into the new message. It should appear as an attachment.
4. Briefly describe the problem.
5. Send the email.

Apple Mail on Mac

1. Open the Mail app and select the email containing the error.
2. From the menu bar, select File > Save As.
3. Save the message using the Raw Message Source format, which creates an .eml file.
4. Create a new email to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu.
5. Briefly describe the problem.
6. Attach the saved .eml file and send the email.

Gmail on the Web

Option 1: Forward as an Attachment

1. Sign in to Gmail.
2. Locate the email containing the error.
3. Right-click the email in your message list.
4. Select Forward as attachment.
5. Address the new message to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu.
6. Briefly describe the problem and send the email.

Option 2: Download the Original Email

1. Open the email containing the error.
2. Click the More (three-dot) menu next to the Reply button.
3. Select Download message.
4. Gmail will download the original message as an .eml file.
5. Create a new email to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu and attach the downloaded file.
6. Briefly describe the problem and send the email.

Other Web-Based Email Services

If you use another web-based email service, look for an option such as:

• Download message
• Download original
• Save message
• Forward as attachment
• View original

If available, save or download the original email as an .eml or similar email message file. Then attach that file to a new email addressed to helpdesk@uwsuper.edu.

If you cannot find an option to save or attach the original email, contact the Technology Help Desk for assistance.

What to Include

In your message to the Help Desk, briefly explain:

• What you were trying to do
• When the problem occurred
• What error or unexpected behavior you experienced

Sending the original email as an attachment, rather than copying and pasting its contents, helps preserve technical information that may be useful in diagnosing the issue.

Important: Do not include passwords or other sensitive information in your message.