How do I unblock .mdb file attachments in Outlook?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CPS
  • Start date Start date
CPS,

As Bob indicates, it is much better to send a zipped file. This is true for
two reasons: 1.) The .zip extension is not automatically blocked by Outlook
and 2.) Sending a compressed file format usually always results in
significantly smaller file attachments. Note: I recommend doing a Compact and
Repair operation before adding the .mdb file to a .zip archive. That said, it
is possible to unblock the .mdb/.mde/.mdw file extensions, in case someone
else sends you a file without having first zipped it. Here is a KB article
that shows you how to do this:

You may receive an "Outlook blocked access to the following
potentially unsafe attachments" message in Outlook
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829982


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
__________________________________________
 
I'm not so sure that is as easy as you make it sound.

I'm just not sure that it always works that easily.
Are you talking about -HOTMAIL- or -OUTLOOK-?

I'm just not positve that it is always that reliable to do that.

I personally- think that Microsoft should take away the ability to
email _SPREADSHEETS_.
That will teach them not to screw with the Access community.

Thanks

-Aaron
 
I have followed this or a similar article in the past and with our
Exchange backend I just could not get it done. Embarrasing if you're
working with clients where it would take more than half an hour to
explain to them how to zip a file.

-Tom.
 
Hi Tom,

You did see this part of the KB article, right?

You can modify the attachment security behavior in Outlook if you are using
Outlook in one of the following scenarios:
• You are not using Outlook in an Exchange environment.
• In an Exchange environment, the administrator has not configured the
Outlook Security settings to disallow changes to the attachment security
behavior.

In these scenarios, follow these steps to modify the attachment security
behavior in Outlook by making a modification to the registry.


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
__________________________________________
 
Layman's Answer: If it is a file that needs unzipped, here are instructions that finally worked for me to unblock an mbd file received through email...that I was positive was safe.

UNBLOCKING MDB FILE

The specified operation could not be performed because the archive was blocked by Windows Security. This may occur for archive files that were downloaded using Internet Explorer or arrived as attachments in Windows Live Mail, Windows Mail, or Outlook Express. To perform the operation, you will first need to unblock the archive file.
Caution: you should be careful when unblocking an archive. Be certain that you trust the source of this archive. Do not install anything contained in an archive that was attached to an unexpected or suspicious e-mail message. See Security Hints and Tips for additional information.
Here are step by step instructions for unblocking an archive.
Note: if the archive is already open in WinZip®, close WinZip.
  1. If the file is an attachment in an email message, save the attachment to a folder of your choice (example: My Documents).
  2. Open the folder that contains the archive using Windows Explorer.
  3. Locate the archive in Windows Explorer's file listing and right click on the archive's name in the list.
  4. Click Properties in the right click shortcut menu.
  5. In the General tab, click Unblock.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Open the archive in WinZip and perform the desired operation.
 
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