Stop Outlook from downloading email attachments?

[ulrich.von.lich]

Sometimes I receive emails with huge attachments (larger than 5MB), and unfortunately, most of them don't have a large file warning in the subject line. When I click on those landmines, Outlook takes ages to open them (Outlook downloads all the attachments to local HDD automatically). And during the process, I can't use Outlook at all. It's really a waste of time.

Is there some way to prevent Outlook from downloading those attachment files? I actually prefer the web hotmail behavior: when clicking on a subject, the email will be opened instantly, then I'll decide if I want to download the attachment files or not.(probably not)

Any clue will be appreciated!

Regards,
Tony

[jdhurst]

I am not certain what you want to accomplish in the end.

If (a) you want the email in Outlook, but not the attachment, then I don't know how. Outlook will grab the entire email.

If (b) you don't want the email, then search for, download and try out PopTray. It is free and it is for POP3 systems. You screen your email first with PopTray, and delete what you don't want. Then, and only then, download with Outlook. That is how I work, and it works a treat.
... JDH

[ulrich.von.lich]

Actually I wanted (a) emails in Outlook without attachments (or only the their names, not the entire files). Too bad it's not feasible.

I guess the PopTray will probably not work with Hotmail.. I'll try it once I get a POP3 account. Thanks jdhurst!

[k2jsv]

In Outlook 2007 the only option I know of is to download only the headers...

Tools>Options>Mail Setup>Send/Receive

Edit your send receive settings to download the headers only. Or you can download only the headers on e-mails larger than a certain size. 50k I think is the default.

[vanaya]

That is the same for 2003. But it will gray that option out for msn accounts. I wanted to test this first before I post, but its hanging up on me.