Outlook Express blocks attachments by default

Q: I cannot see the attachments that come in my email. What should I change to be able to see attachments? I am running Outlook Express.

A: Due to security concerns with email attachments, Outlook Express by default does not allow you to open any attachments received with your email. This is most likely the issue you are experiencing.

Before I tell you how to disable this security setting, let me emphasize how important it is to have a suite of security products including anti-virus and firewall installed on your computer before you disable the security setting in Outlook Express.

On to the task at hand. Open Outlook Express, click on the Tools menu and select Options. A window will appear with several tabs across the top. Click the Security tab. Look for the phrase “Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus” and make sure the checkbox next to this phrase is unchecked. Click the OK button to return to your email.

Once this setting is disabled you should have no problems opening and reading your email attachments.

This post was originally broadcast Friday, July 13, 2007 on Tech Talk with Noobie, a weekly radio show on WCBK 102.3 FM in Martinsville, Indiana. Tech Talk with Noobie airs every Friday between 11:30 a.m. and noon. If you have a question you would like Noobie to answer on the air, simply e-mail your question to .