Outlook 2010 - Blocked attachments
Microsoft Outlook blocks potentially unsafe attachment files (including .bat, .exe, .vbs, and .js files) that can contain viruses.
If Outlook blocks any attachment files in a message, a list of the blocked file types appears in the InfoBar (near the top of an open email message, appointment, contact, or task).
The example below is an example of message a Live@UCL user would see if an attachment was blocked from another Live@UCL user.
If a blocked attachment is sent from a non Live@UCL user, the following example shows what a user might see:
Files that are blocked
The following file types are blocked by the virus
scanning system.
| .app | Executable Application |
| .asx | Windows Media Audio / Video |
| .bas | Microsoft Visual Basic class module |
| .bat | Batch file |
| .cmd | DOS CP/M Command File, Command File for Windows NT |
| .com | Command |
| .cpl | Control Panel Extension |
| .exe | Executable File |
| .isp | Internet Service Provider Settings (Microsoft) |
| .js | JavaScript file |
| .jse | Jscript Encoded Script file |
| .pif | Windows Program Information File (Microsoft) |
| .scf | Windows Explorer Command |
| .scr | Windows Screen saver |
| .shs | Shell Scrap Object File |
| .vb | VBScript file or Any VisualBasic Source |
| .vbe | VBScript Encoded script file |
| .vbs | VBScript file |
| .ws | Windows Script File |
| .wsc | Windows Script Component |
| .wsf | Windows Script file |
| .wsh | Windows Script Host Settings file |
Possible workarounds
For a non live@ucl sender
Any .zip files or other archives containing any of the above file
types will also be blocked:
If you need to send a file of one of
these types, there are
several possible workarounds.
1. Rename the file extension to something else
For example you could rename 'file.exe' to 'file.ex_'. The recipient will have to rename the file back to the original extension. To rename a file in Windows, simply right-click on it and click 'Rename'.
However, by default Windows hides file extensions, so 'file.exe' may appear simply as 'file'. In order to rename the file extension you must first make sure it is displayed. to do this, click Start, My Computer, then click Tools, Folder Options. Click the View tab and untick Hide extensions for known file types.
2. If the content is available on the internet consider providing a link to the content for the person to download.
3. Place the content inside a .zip archive which is encrypted and provide the recipient with the password to open the .zip archive.
For a live@ucl sender
If you are sending to another live@ucl user,using a compression utility, such as WinZip, creates a compressed archive file that has a different file name extension.
Outlook does not recognize these file name extensions as potential threats and will not block the new attachment.
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Page last modified on 06 apr 11 14:14
