Outlook: Block/Unblock automatic picture downloads in e-mails

Microsoft Outlook is configured to block automatic picture downloads from the Internet. This can help protect your computer. But you can unblock pictures you feel are safe to download.


Advantages of blocking automatic picture downloads include:
- Avoid viewing potentially offensive material (when external content is linked to the message).
- Keep malicious code from damaging the data on your computer.
- If you are on a low-bandwidth connection, blocking allows you to decide whether a particular image warrants the time and bandwidth that are required for downloading it.

Unblock picture downloads for a single message:
1. Click the InfoBar at the top of the message, and then click
Download Pictures (InfoBar: Banner near the top of an open e-mail message, appointment, contact, or task.)

Unblock picture downloads for all messages:
1. Click the InfoBar at the top of the message, and then click
Change Automatic Download Settings.
2. Clear the check box "Don't download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail messages or RSS items".

Unblock picture downloads for all messages from a particular e-mail address or domain:
1. In an open message that was sent from that e-mail address or domain, right-click one of the blocked items.
2. On the shortcut menu, click Add Sender to Safe Senders List or Add the Domain @domain to Safe Senders List.

Re-Block picture downloads if you have changed your mind:
1. On the Tools menu, click Trust Center, and then click Automatic Download.
2. Check the box Don't download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail messages or RSS items check box.