Blocked Extensions and Graphics

Outlook BLOCKS certain file attachments that have the potential to carry a virus to your computer. For more information and to work around this security feature, see the following:

• Some file extensions that Outlook blocks are: exe, bat, cmd, com, hlp, inf, isp. For a complete list see http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HP030850041033.aspx
• Outlook DOES NOT block documents such as .xls, .doc, .ppt, and .txt files.
• If you need to receive a message that contains a blocked file (or send one to an Outlook user) rename the blocked file to include a temporary file type that is not blocked. For example, rename "program.exe" to "program.exe_ok" and then attach the file to the e-mail message. You can include instructions in the message for the recipient to save the file with the correct name "program.exe".
• Use a zip program to package your file(s) before you attach them to your e-mail message.
• Andrew Webmail does not block any file extensions. Use Andrew Webmail to extract the attachment; but NEVER open any file attachment that you are NOT expecting.

To help protect you, Outlook is configured to block pictures and other Internet content until you determine that it is safe to view. For example, the following message would normally contain graphics; instead they are displayed with a placeholder until you right-click to view them.

Last Updated: 8/21/07
Last Reviewed: 1/30/09