Exchange Messaging Outlook Volume 15, Number 1

Windows 7 & Outlook's Open or Save dialog

We're hearing from many users who switched to Windows 7 and are annoyed because Outlook always prompts for permission to open attachments; the option to "Always ask before opening this type of file" is grayed out and can't be disabled.

This is a "feature" of Window's User Access Control (UAC) and there are two ways you can address this:

1. Run Outlook as Administrator and open the attachments, deselecting "Always ask before opening this type of file"' box. After you enable the file types to open without asking, you can run Outlook normally.
2. Edit the registry and change the EditFlags Data value for the file type in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. An EditFlags value of 00 00 01 00 opens the file without asking; 00 00 00 00 always asks before opening. Administrators will use this method to change it via policy.

Common file types include the following:
DOC: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.8
DOCX: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.12
PDF: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AcroExch.Document
XLSX: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12
XLS: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8

To identify other file types, look at the extension's key in the registry - most (if not all) will include a more descriptive name. Locate this name under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and change it's EditFlags value.

For example, this is the key for the.ppt extension:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ppt\PowerPoint.Show.8
Change the EditFlags value at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PowerPoint.Show.8

Note: if EditFlags does not exit, create a new Binary Value named EditFlags and value data of 00 00 01 00 (always open) or 00 00 00 00 (always ask first)

The procedure is the same for Vista users, except for the registry path. In Vista, look for the keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\

"Save as HTML" and the associated folders

Anyone who saves email in HTML format is familiar with the folder Outlook creates containing “junk files” - I have yet to meet anyone who likes this folder or sees the need for it. The folder is linked to the HTML file and can't easily be deleted. While its possible to break the link, it takes several steps to do so. Saving messages as MHT files doesn't create these folders, but many users prefer a simple HTML file over an archive web file.

Although its not possible to prevent the creation of these folders, you can make it easier to delete them.

1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Go to Folder options (Look on the Tools menu in older Windows versions and the Organize button in Windows 7 and Vista.)
3. Go to the View settings tab
4. Change the Managing pairs of Web pages and folders to Show both parts and manage them individually.
   

Now the folders are unlinked from the HTML files and can be deleted.

For those who need them, screenshots and more detailed instructions are at
http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/save_html_folder.htm 

Outlook 2010 & Read Only Attachments

In a big change from previous versions, opening attachments from an email message always opens the attachment as read-only. In past versions, attachments opened from an open message were editable. This was a useful feature when the user knew how it worked, but many didn't, creating a pain point for many administrators. To the cheers of administrators, it doesn't matter how you open the attachment in Outlook 2010, all attachments are read-only and changes must be saved using Save as.

Read complete article...

March poll: Do you sync a Smartphone with Outlook or Exchange?

This months poll is about Smartphones and PDAs:
Do you sync Outlook or your Exchange mailbox with a device, if so how?

http://forums.slipstick.com/showthread.php?t=39473

As always, the polls are anonymous and an account is not required to respond to the poll.