Yes its annoying, you try and send a copy of an program to a friend, or a database and your outlook client blocks it, but this is done for a good reason. Microsoft hava classified 39 different file types as being "dangerous" to your system and have catagorised them into two levels. Level 1 files are blocked completely and level two files show up as an icon in your EMail but when you try to open them outlook forces you to save them.

If your reading this the chances are you are having problems with Level 1 blocked files?

Level 1

OK so now you know WHY your files have been blocked, you need to decide what you are going to do about it.

The simplest option is to get the files "Re-sent" and change the file extension to something that wont be blocked (like .txt for example) OR put your files in something else like a WinZip or WinRAR file and send them.

If you want to disable the feature completely read on.....

Outlook Express

1. Start Outlook Express.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. Click the Security tab, click to clear the Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus check box under Virus Protection, and then click OK.

Outlook 2000 (SP3), Outlook 2002, and Outlook 2003

1. CLick Start > Run > Regedit {enter}
2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security

NOTE for Outlook 2000 (SP3) change the 10.0 for 9.0, and for Outlook 2003 change the 10.0 for 11.0 and for Outlook 2007 change to 12.0)

3. Right click in the right Pane and select New > String Value.

4. Call the new string Level1Remove.

5. Now you need to tell the registry what you want to allow through, and you need to do it for EACH file extension you want to let through, for this example Im going to let through executable programs, and MS Access Databases.
6. Double click the Level1Remove string you just created.

NOTE You need to type every extension (preceeded by the full stop) and seperate each with a colon (no spaces)

7. When you are done click OK and close the registry editor.

Alternative solutions

Attachment Options, this is an add on for OL2000(SP3), OL2002 and OL2003 that puts these options in your tools >option menu. (Very Cool and free PL)

Attachments Zip Compressor (AZC), this utility will Zip all atatchments (ITS NOT FREE)

Outlook XP Extensions Tool, a GUI editor for allowing atachments.