Red X's in Email

When pictures in your email won't download, even though you have Outlook configured to download external content (or allow it on a per-message basis), the problem is usually a "full" temporary file folder.

Note: If you do not see a red x but have a blank box shaped/sized like the graphic or photo, you have Show picture placeholders enabled.

You need to locate the SecureTemp folder and delete the contents (or the entire folder) then restart Outlook. The images should display correctly once you do this.

The SecureTemp folder for Outlook 2000 to 2003 installed on Windows XP is at
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK*. The OLK directory will end in a series of numbers.

Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010 places the Secturetemp folder at
C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\8A0VMD3A, where 8A0VMD3A can be any random characters.

Vista and Windows 7 has the Temp Internet folder at 
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\, so you'll need to look there for the OLK or Content.Outlook folder.

See Outlook SecureTemp Files Folder to learn how it works.

The tools listed on this page make it easier to delete the orphaned attachments.

Tools

Show Picture Placeholders is enabled

If you do not see a red x but have a blank box shaped/sized like the graphic or photo, you have Show picture placeholders enabled. (A great feature if your Internet connection is slow.) 

In Outlook 2007, from an open message, click the Office icon then Editor options button. Select Advanced from the left menu and scroll down to Display email contents section (near the bottom). Uncheck the box to Show picture placeholders. Then click OK to apply and close.

In older versions, this is an Internet Options setting, accessible from either IE's Tools menu or Control Panel. In the Internet Options dialog, go to the Advanced tab. The Show pictures option is in the Multimedia group, about halfway down.  

Move SecureTemp Folder

The location of the Securetemp is stored in the registry and you can change the path to point to a new location (which is easier to access and clear), but be sure the new folder exists before changing it in the registry. The OutlookSecureTempFolder value (for Outlook 2007) is at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Security.

For other versions of Outlook, change the 12.0 to your version number.

More Information

Tip 421: SecureTemp revisited (Outlook Tips)
Tip 27: SecureTemp Folder (Outlook Tips)