Override the default security settings for attachments in Outlook Express.
To learn more about using third-party email clients (e.g., Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, etc.) to access your Comcast.net email address, please see Enable or disable third-party client access to Xfinity Email — FAQs.
Check the source of the email
Avoid compromising your computer’s security — make sure you trust the sender when saving or opening any email attachments you receive. By default, Outlook Express blocks access to attachments that it considers unsafe. An attachment may be "grayed out" (see image below) making it unavailable to access. You may also get the message: OE removed access to the following unsafe attachments in your mail: filename.xxx.
How to do it
To override this setting and allow attachments to be saved or opened, follow these instructions:
- Select Tools from the top menu, and Options from the drop-down list.
- Select the Security tab, and uncheck the box labeled Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could be potentially be a virus.
- Click the Apply button and then the OK button.
- You may need to close any open email messages and then re-open them in order to gain access to the attachments.