While many people want to unblock file types that are blocked by Outlook’s security, with recent viruses using the zip file type to propagate, you may want to block zips to prevent someone from opening zips accidentally.
Choose between two options:
Level1Remove — slow down access to the zip by forcing users to save them to the hard drive before opening them. With this enabled, users will be presented with a dialog like the one shown here when they double click on an attachment.
Level1Add — treat *.zips like *.exes to completely block access to them.
Level1Remove
To Add file types to Level1Remove key:
- Run Regedit, and go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security (change 10.0 to 9.0 for Outlook 2000 SP3 or to 11.0 for Outlook 2003, 12 for Outlook 2007, 14 for Outlook 2010)
- Under that key, add a new string value named Level1Remove.
- For the value for Level1Remove, enter a semicolon-delimited list of file extensions. For example, entering this:
.zip;.mdb;.url;
would force you to save Zip file type and unblock Microsoft Access files and Internet shortcuts.
Level1Add
To Block file types using the Level1Add key:
To add additional attachment file name extensions types that you want blocked, you must add the Level1Add key to the registry. To do this, follow these steps.
- Run Regedit, and go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security (change 10.0 to 9.0 for Outlook 2000 SP3 or to 11.0 for Outlook 2003, 12 for Outlook 2007, 14 for Outlook 2010)
- Under that key, add a new string value named Level1Add.
- For the value for Level1Add, enter a semicolon-delimited list of file extensions. For example, entering this:
.zip
would treat the Zip file type like exe’s and block access to them.
Tools in the Spotlight
Use Advanced Security for Outlook to learn what programs are trying to access Outlook and permanently allow or deny access to the program and the next time it requests access, the action you choose will be automatically executed and Outlook Security will not annoy you with messages about trying to access e-mail addresses you have stored in Outlook. Freeware, available in English, German and Russian. Version 1. |
Tools
COM add-in by Outlook MVP Ken Slovak that adds an Attachment Security Options page to the Tools, Options dialog in Outlook 2000 SP3 or higher to allow you to manage which file attachments are blocked. New version adds support for the .gadget extension for Outlook 2003 SP3 and Outlook 2007 SP1. It also adds detection for those SP levels. Shareware. Version 1.9.6 | |
"Outlook blocked access to the following potentially unsafe attachment ..." If you get this message when attempting to access an Outlook email attachment you'll want to install Attachment Security for Outlook; a free program for unlocking attachments blocked by Outlook. Attachment Security for Microsoft Outlook is a free and easy to use software program that allows you to open attachments blocked by Microsoft Outlook e-mail security. | |
Use CodeTwo Attach Unblocker to configure Microsoft Outlook to allow the openig of the attachments blocked by default (for example, .exe, .url, .reg). The program is an Outlook extension; its settings are available at the property sheet in the Outlook options, which ensures quick and convenient editing. Supports all versions of Outlook, including Outlook 2010 64-bit | |
Add-in for adjusting which attachments you can open under Outlook's increased security, for Outlook 2000 SP3 and later. Free | |
Free tool for setting up how Microsoft Outlook block (or not) e-mail attachments. Get rid of the message "Outlook blocked access to the following potentially unsafe attachments". Beta |
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Last reviewed on Sep 28, 2011
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