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Last Reviewed:  April 19, 2023

Email as Link Doesn't Work with Outlook

Issue

The Send > Email as Link option doesn't work with Outlook.

Solution

By default, Outlook treats .lnk (shortcut) files as unsafe and blocks them. There is a way to change this security setting and make Outlook allow .lnk files to be attached.

WARNING: This method requires making changes to the Windows Registry. Editing the Registry can cause problems that will prevent your computer from booting. Proceed at your own risk.

  1. In the Windows Start menu, click "Run" and type "regedit" and run that program.
  2. Browse to this key (Note: substitute "XX.X" for your version of Outlook):

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\XX.X\Outlook\Security

  3. Under that key, add a new string value named "Level1Remove" (without quotes).
  4. For the value for Level1Remove, enter ".lnk" (without quotes). If there's already a value there, add "; .lnk" to the end of it.
  5. Close Outlook and reopen it.

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