Unwanted E-mail Protection

Problem: Outlook and Outlook Express have gone Big Brother on you, preventing you from downloading program files and other e-mail attachments.

Quick fix #1: By default, recent versions of Outlook block you from opening certain types of attachments--including .exe and .vbs files--that are capable of infecting your PC with a virus or another intruder. To change this setting in Outlook, select Tools, Options, Mail Setup, Send/Receive, Edit, Download complete item including attachments. Another approach is to use the free Attachment Options utility; it gives you more granular control, letting you specify which types of attachments should be allowed to download with the message.

Quick fix #2: If you are suffering the same restrictions in Outlook Express 6, the fix is simpler. Choose Tools, Options, Security and uncheck Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus .