On a recent service call, this was one of the items the customer listed for fixing. By default, Outlook is set to block attachments from being opened or saved. My best guess is Microsoft must figure that by the time a user figures out how to change this behavior, that user has most likely learned not to open or run an attachment on just any e-mail. One of the first features a new computer user learns to use is e-mail. Along with the near instant communications you can exchange pictures and various other files. For families that have moved apart for whatever reason, this is a major convenience. In which case, the default setting is unacceptable.
Before you enable file attachments, be aware that e-mail has been the most popular vehicle for the spread of computer viruses, worms and Trojans. NEVER open an attached file. Save the file, the "My Documents" folder is the default location, then scan it with your updated Anti-virus program. Make this a habit even with files from people you know. One of the favorite tricks malware uses to spread itself is to mail itself to everyone in the address book of the infected computer. That means your friends and family can infect your computer without even knowing it. This being the case, should you ever receive an email attachment that, when scanned, shows the presence of malware it would be a good idea to let the sender know about it.
With that said, we can open Outlook Express and change the default setting. On the top line menu click on "Tools". On the drop down menu click on "Options".
With the "Options" dialog open, click on the tab labeled "Security"
In the "Virus Protection" section of the "Security" tab, there is a check box next to a line that reads "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus". Left click the box to clear it.
Finish up by clicking the "Apply" button at the bottom of the "Options" dialog then click the "OK" button to close. You can now open an e-mail and see the attachments listed in a box labeled "Attach:" Right click on the filename then left click on "Save As".
As mentioned the "My Documents" folder is the default location, however, the "Save As" dialog will allow you to save it where ever you like. Be sure to remember where you save it and have your Anti-Virus scan either the file or the folder in which it is located before you open the file.
Update 10/30/2007
With Windows Vista Microsoft has renamed Outlook Express to Windows Mail. A quick glance shows that the procedures here will also apply to this renamed program although the Options window has been slightly rearranged. Those who use Microsoft Office and have switched to Office Outlook will find that these options are not available to the end user. Only when using Windows Exchange can an Administrator change the file blocking behavior of Office Outlook 2007.
Another option is to have the sender resend the file changing the file extension to one that Office Outlook does not block. Then upon receipt of the file and subsequent saving the recipient can then change the file extension back to the original. If this seems to be to much of a hassle then, if available, use Windows Mail instead of Office Outlook when expecting attachments that Outlook blocks.
Secure e-mail practices can be found here
Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Windows, Windows XP and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other names have been included in the above text that are trademarks of the respective companies.
