CodeTwo Attach Unblocker allows fast and convenient configuration of Microsoft Outlook to unblock attachments blocked by Outlook by default (for example, .exe, .url, .reg files). The program is setup directly in Microsoft Outlook, which ensures quick and convenient editing.

From Microsoft Office 2000 with Service Pack 2 version (E-mail Security Update) onwards, Outlook has not allowed opening some attachment types due to safety reasons. These attachments are considered to be potentially dangerous as they may contain viruses or can damage the system. A dangerous attachment can neither be opened, nor saved on the hard disk (Fig.3). It will also be deleted while attempting to forward the message. Therefore, it is not possible to read such an attachment in Outlook. CodeTwo Attach Unblocker will enable you to read all previously blocked attachments.

Fig.1. Unblocking unsafe attachments in Microsoft Office Outlook.

Unblocking attachments

In order to choose the attachment types that should not be blocked, in Outlook 2007 and earlier versions, click on the Attach Unblocker button in the main toolbar; in Outlook 2010 click on the Attach Unblocker button on the ribbon. In the textfield (Fig.1), enter the file extension (the attachment type) you wish to unblock and click Add. The file extension will be added to the Unblocked attachments list and after restarting Outlook attachments of that type will no longer be blocked and you will be able to save them on your hard drive (Fig.2).

Fig.2. When you use Attach Unblocker, unsafe attachments (.exe and .reg files in this case) can be saved to hard disk and then opened.

More than one type of attachment can be entered in one edit field by separating the types with a semicolon. The types are not case sensitive.

If unsafe attachments are blocked by Outlook, you cannot access them. Attachments cannot be viewed, opened, forwarded or saved to disk (Fig.3). You need to use CodeTwo Attach Unblocker to unblock and access attachments.

Fig.3. Unsafe attachments blocked by Outlook (.exe file here) can neither be opened, nor saved to disk. The file will be deleted when you want to forward the message.