Support - Tips and Tricks

Hidden Outlook Images

This one is incredibly annoying. A message displayed in Outlook 2003 that includes an embedded image - but there is either a gap or a red X where the image should be - and you can't right click to display it.

The image is still in the message (the size of the message makes that clear) - and can generally be seen when the message is forwarded on or viewed via OWA or something else. But whatever you tweak or try in Outlook it just won't show up on screen.

Solution/Workaround

The problem is caused by certain antivirus programs preventing access to the default directory used by Outlook to store temporary images.

To get the images to display, you need to change the default directory Outlook uses to one that the antivirus program doesn't keep guard over. Obviously usual disclaimers apply here about being careful what you download and view if the antivirus isn't looking after it for you - though if your mail server includes antivirus (which is should!) then anything nasty should have been weeded out before it reaches you.

To change the Outlook temporary directory, you need to edit the registry. Don't attempt this unless you are confident that you know what you are doing - and if in doubt back it up first.

Exit Outlook fully

Open the registry (Start - Run - cmd)

Find the follow in key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security\OutlookSecureTempFolder

The value of this key is likely to be something along the lines of %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3D - change this to another location

Close the registry

Now when you re-open Outlook, the images should display.

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