Review msmq message content

Author: WilliamBZA

transports/msmq/viewing-message-content-in-msmq.md

@@ -2,35 +2,34 @@
 title: Viewing MSMQ content
 summary: Provides options for visualizing messages and queues in MSMQ
 component: MsmqTransport
-reviewed: 2023-10-30
+reviewed: 2025-08-14
 redirects:
  - nservicebus/how-can-i-see-the-queues-and-messages-on-a-machine
  - nservicebus/viewing-message-content-in-msmq
  - nservicebus/msmq/viewing-message-content-in-msmq
 ---
 
-There are several ways to view content in MSMQ, both free and paid.
+There are several ways to view messages and queues in MSMQ, using both free and commercial tools.
 
-### Visual Studio
+## Visual Studio
 
-The queues on the local machine can be listed using Server Explorer in Visual Studio:
+Queues on the local machine can be listed using **Server Explorer** in Visual Studio:
 
 ![Server Explorer](server-explorer.png "Server Explorer")
 
-If there is a message in one of the queues, select it and view the properties of the message in the property panel (press <kbd>F4</kbd> to open) in Visual Studio:
+If a queue contains messages, select one and open the **Properties** panel (<kbd>F4</kbd>) to view its details:
 
 ![Visual Studio properties](visual-studio-properties.png "Visual Studio properties")
 
-The BodyStream property shows the contents of the message:
+The **BodyStream** property shows the message content:
 
 ![Message contents](body-stream.png "Message contents")
 
+## Windows native tools
 
-### Windows native tools
+MSMQ can also be managed using the built-in **MMC snap-in**.
 
-The MSMQ MMC snap-in can be used to manage queues.
-
-Use one of the following based on Windows operating system version:
+Depending on the Windows version, open via:
 
 ```
 Start > Run > compmgmt.msc > Features > Message Queuing
@@ -42,33 +41,25 @@ or
 Start > Run > compmgmt.msc > Services and Applications > Message Queuing
 ```
 
-
 ### QueueExplorer
 
-QueueExplorer is a commercial third-party product for managing MSMQ.
-
-http://www.cogin.com/mq/
+[QueueExplorer](http://www.cogin.com/mq/) is a commercial third-party product for managing MSMQ.
 
-> QueueExplorer can do much more than the built-in management console, such as copy, move or delete messages, save and load, stress test, and view and edit full message bodies (with special support for .NET serialized objects).
+> QueueExplorer provides features beyond the built-in console, such as copying, moving, or deleting messages; saving and loading; stress testing; and viewing/editing full message bodies (with support for .NET serialized objects).
 
 ![](queue-explorer.png 'width=500')
 
 
 ### Mqueue Viewer
 
-Mqueue Viewer is a fast and free tool to manage MSMQ messages and queues. More advanced features are available in the paid version.
+[Mqueue Viewer](https://www.mqueue.net/) is a free tool for managing MSMQ queues and messages, with additional features available in the paid version.
 
-https://www.mqueue.net/
-
-> Mqueue Viewer is a fast and simple tool to manage MSMQ queues, view, edit, add, delete messages. It works with multiple machines/servers.
+> Mqueue Viewer allows viewing, editing, adding, and deleting messages, and supports multiple machines/servers.
 
 ![](mqueue.png 'width=500')
 
-
 ### Service Bus MQ Manager
 
-A free application to view and manage MSMQ messages.
-
-https://github.com/danielHalan/ServiceBusMQManager
+[Service Bus MQ Manager](https://github.com/danielHalan/ServiceBusMQManager) is a free application for viewing and managing MSMQ messages.
 
 ![](service-bus-mq-manager.png)