How to Bypass Attachment Restrictions in Outlook

Security measures save your computer from virus attacks. For instance, Microsoft Outlook includes a safety feature in all versions since 2000 that blocks unsafe attachments. The problem is that not all blocked attachments are dangerous. Follow these steps to bypass attachment restrictions in Outlook.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Easy Fixes

1. Import an Outlook message with the attachment to a newer version of Microsoft's Outlook Express. Outlook Express' email-only program also blocks attachments, but allows you to forward the message to gain access to the attachment.

2. See if sender can save and send attachments from another program.

3. Check whether the sender of the email can save the attachment to a file share that you have access to.

4. Ask senders to use a file compression utility for the attachment. The file compression changes the file name extension, which may allow it to come through Outlook unblocked.

5. Request that the administrator reconfigure security settings if you're part of an Exchange server environment.

6. Modify the Windows registry for Outlook if none of these options works for you.

Modify Windows Registry Outlook Security Key

7. Exit Outlook. Click "Start," and then "Run." Type "regedit." Click "OK."

8. Find the registry key for your Microsoft Outlook version.
   For Microsoft Outlook 2000:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook\Security
   Microsoft Outlook 2002:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security
   Microsoft Office Outlook 2003:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security
   See Section 3 if you have no Outlook Security registry key.

9. Open the Edit menu. Click "New." Choose "String Value. "

10. Enter the following for the new value: Level1Remove. Click "Enter." Right-click on this new value and choose to "Modify."

11. Key in the file name extension of the type of file that you want to open in Outlook. If entering multiple file types, use a semicolon in between with no extra spaces.

Create Registry Key for Outlook When Needed

12. Create the registry key if one does not exist. Click on: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft

13. Click on the Edit menu. Choose "New," and then "Key." Enter "Office," and click "Enter."

14. Open the Edit menu, and choose "New," and then click "Key."

15. Type 11.0 for Outlook 2003, and push "Enter." You should use "10.0" for Outlook 2002 or "9.0" for Outlook 2000.

16. Reopen the Edit menu. Select "New." Click "Key." Add "Outlook," and click "Enter."

17. Select the Edit menu again. Press "New" and "Key." Key in "Security," and then select "Enter."

18. Return to Section 2, Step 5 to continue.

Tips & Warnings

• Microsoft recommends downloading either Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 before making security modifications to Outlook 2000.
• Modifying the registry can cause serious problems with your computer. Always back up your registry before making any changes to it in case you have to restore it.