When you receive an HTML message, links in it may not work or the File, Open dialog will open, asking to associate an executable file with the link.
Looking at the source, you’ll see the URL is prefixed with BLOCKED::, like this:
<A title=http://office.microsoft.com/ href="BLOCKED::http://office.microsoft.com/">Office Online</a>
This is a security feature in Outlook and may happen when URLs are copied from one email message and pasted into another message.
You may be able to control it by adjusting the blocked external context setting in Outlook 2003. You’ll find these settings on the Tools, Options, Security, Change Automatic Download Settings menu or click on the Infobar of a message containing blocked content and choose Change Automatic Download Settings.
Note that this is NOT a common problem and we are not sure why its a problem for some people and others have never seen it. Internet security settings may be a factor. You may only see it if you don't have anti-virus software installed.
Workarounds
- Opening the message in the Internet zone (View menu) may allow the links to work.
- Delete blocked:: from the beginning of the URL in the address bar.
- In Outlook 2002/2003: set Outlook to use the Internet Zone. This is on the Tools, Options, Security tab.
Note: We do not recommend lowering the internet Security settings or Setting Outlook to use a less restrictive Internet Zone. Resetting the Internet Zone to use the default settings may help.
Notes
In Outlook 2003, the screentip will include the URL and title (if present):
The URL may still work correctly in both Internet Explorer and Firefox.
In Outlook 2002, you’ll see just the title field, if present, in the screentip:
The File, Open dialog opens for you to choose an exe to associate with it. After associating Internet Explorer, the address bar will show blocked:
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Last reviewed on Sep 12, 2011
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