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Opening attachments in Outlook

John Ford 0 Reputation points
2025-08-08T15:51:21.94+00:00

When opening an attachment in Outlook it defaults to opening a preview. How do i get the system to auto open the corresponding file in its native application. For example, when opening an attachment with an Excel file I need the system to skip the preview

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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  1. Eggers, Debra 0 Reputation points
    2026-06-12T14:49:40.2966667+00:00

    I was just forced to upgrade to Microsoft 365 and I need outlook to open Microsoft applications in their application - word opens in word, excel in excel etc. without me having to select from a drop down list. With this ridiculous version of outlook, there is no longer a File -> Options menu. The only option for attachments is to have the system check if you may have forgotten an attachment.

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  2. IGYQ 19,605 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-08T16:41:01.5866667+00:00

    Hi!

    There is a way but you need to disabled it(the default preview) then check some settings on how to open directly in their native application.

    This is how to disable the preview in Outlook.

    a. Open Outlook.

    b. Go to File → Options.

    c. In the left panel, click Trust center → Trust Ccenter settings

    d. Select Attachment handling.

    e. Click Attachment and Document preview.

    f. Uncheck the previewers you don’t want (example, “Microsoft Excel Previewer,” “Microsoft 

       Word Previewer,” “PDF Preview Handler,” etc.).

    g. Click OK

    You can test it, when you double-click an attachment, it will open directly in its associated program instead of preview mode.

    Note: If you single-click the file, Outlook still tries to preview it. Double-click the attachment icon in the email header, it should open straight into the full program.

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