What’s Outlook Attachment Dimension Restrict & Easy methods to Bypass It?

30-Second Abstract

Arghh…crap!!

That’s what I really feel at any time when I see the scale restrict pop-up.

This occurs as a result of Outlook has a default attachment measurement restrict.

The excellent news? You don’t must waste time splitting information or looking for clunky workarounds. On this information, we’ll present you:

• The precise Outlook attachment measurement restrict for various setups
• 4 methods to bypass the restrict
• When (and the way) to extend the restrict if you really want to

Let’s repair that “file too large” drawback so you possibly can hit ship with out stress.

What’s the Outlook Attachment Dimension Restrict?

Outlook’s attachment measurement restrict triggers are set primarily based on the full measurement of all attachments in a single electronic mail.

As soon as your information exceed this cover, Outlook blocks the e-mail from sending.

Right here’s the default restrict throughout widespread setups:

4 Methods to Clear up The Outlook Attachment Dimension Restrict Situation

Hitting the restrict doesn’t imply it’s a must to quit sending your file. Listed here are 4 confirmed workarounds that work throughout Outlook’s previous, new, and Mac variations.

1. Compress the File (Greatest All-Spherical Repair)
2. Add to Cloud Storage & Share a Hyperlink
3. Resize Pictures in Outlook Earlier than Sending
4. Use SharePoint or OneDrive for Enterprise (Work Accounts)

1. Compress the File (Greatest All-Spherical Repair)

In case your file is simply barely over the restrict (or much more), compressing it’s the quickest strategy to repair it.

Now, there are two methods to do it:

• ZIP the file: Proper-click → “Ship to” → “Compressed (zipped) folder” (Home windows) or “Compress” (Mac).
• Scale back the file measurement instantly: You are able to do this with apps like Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint, or Adobe PDF. They allow you to save a lighter model.

Why it really works: Outlook reads the compressed measurement, not the unique. Relying on the file sort, compression can minimize measurement by 20%–90%.

2. Add to Cloud Storage & Share a Hyperlink

Actually, that is my private favourite strategy to ship giant information with out hitting Outlook’s measurement restrict.

• OneDrive (constructed into Outlook and Outlook.com)
• Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer for exterior sharing

Steps (OneDrive in Outlook):

1. Connect your giant file in Outlook.
2. When prompted, select “Add and share as a OneDrive hyperlink”.
   
3. The recipient will get a safe hyperlink as an alternative of a heavy attachment.

3. Resize Pictures in Outlook Earlier than Sending

In case your electronic mail is failing due to heavy photos, Outlook permits you to shrink them routinely.

• Whenever you connect a big picture, Outlook could present a “Resize giant photos after I ship this message” checkbox.
• Tick it, and Outlook sends a lighter model with out you having to edit it individually.

If you happen to don’t get such an choice, then comply with these steps:

1. Add the picture within the electronic mail and choose the picture.
2. Then go to “Image Format” -> “Dimension” tab -> Choose Dimension as per your desire.
   

This methodology works nice for newsletters, displays, or photo-heavy reviews.

4. Use SharePoint or OneDrive for Enterprise (Work Accounts)

If you happen to’re on Microsoft 365 or in a company utilizing Outlook with Alternate, you possibly can add giant information to SharePoint or OneDrive for Enterprise.

1. Add your file to the library.
2. Share a hyperlink with recipients.
3. No giant attachments are despatched, so Outlook’s restrict by no means triggers.

Greatest for group collaboration as a result of everybody can work on the identical file as an alternative of downloading a number of variations.

Easy methods to Enhance the Attachment Dimension Restrict?

Okay, I don’t need you guys to tug your hair. So I’ll preserve this straightforward for non-technical readers.

Warning: This entails modifying the Home windows Registry, which might trigger points if executed incorrectly. So, proceed while you’ve taken a backup, or take assist from an IT admin.

Once more, don’t get overwhelmed by technical terminology; it’s truly fairly easy.

Cool, so right here’s how one can improve the attachment measurement restrict.

1. Shut Outlook earlier than making any modifications.
2. Open the Registry Editor:
   Press “Home windows + R”, sort “regedit”, and press Enter.
3. Navigate to: “HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficeOutlookPreferences”
   (Exchange along with your Outlook model — e.g., 16.0 for Outlook 2016/2019/Microsoft 365.)
   
4. If you happen to don’t see a Preferences folder, create one.
5. Proper-click the precise pane → “New” → “DWORD (32-bit) Worth”.
6. Identify it: “MaximumAttachmentSize”
7. Double-click it → Choose Decimal → Enter the brand new measurement in KB.
   Instance: 25600 = 25 MB, 51200 = 50 MB
   
8. Click on OK and restart Outlook.

Notice: Even in case you improve Outlook’s restrict, there are probabilities that your electronic mail supplier’s personal restrict nonetheless applies.

For instance, in case your server solely permits 25 MB, Outlook received’t be capable of ship something larger.

Why Do ESPs Restrict the Attachment Dimension?

It’s easy logic: There’s a limitation to the quantity of information which you could feed right into a mail.

However listed below are the sensible the explanation why ESPs have an attachment measurement restrict within the backend:

1. Deliverability – Massive attachments can set off spam filters or get blocked by the recipient’s server.
2. Server Efficiency – E-mail servers course of thousands and thousands of messages each day. Massive information can considerably decelerate operations and eat extra storage.
3. Recipient’s Mailbox Limits – Even in case you can ship an enormous file, the recipient’s mailbox may reject it in the event that they’re close to their storage cap.
4. Safety – Massive information usually tend to include malware, so some servers block them routinely.

No Extra “File Too Massive” Errors

Outlook’s attachment measurement limits exist for a cause – to maintain emails deliverable, servers quick, and inboxes uncluttered.

Whilst you can improve the restrict with a registry edit, it’s not often definitely worth the danger.

The neatest strategy? Merely compress information. Works for many use circumstances. In case your file measurement is just too giant, then you possibly can add it to cloud storage and share a public hyperlink.

FAQs

1. Can I ship a 50MB file by means of Outlook?

No. Outlook’s onerous limits are 10 MB (Alternate/Workplace 365) and 20 MB (Outlook.com or web electronic mail accounts). So you want to both scale back the file measurement or use a drive hyperlink.

2. Does Outlook Internet App have the identical attachment measurement restrict as desktop Outlook?

Sure. Each Outlook internet app and desktop have the identical attachment restrict of 20 MB. The important thing distinction is that the online app routinely prompts you to ship giant information through OneDrive, with a restrict of 250 GB per file. This built-in immediate is the best strategy to “bypass” the restrict with out altering any settings.

3. Can I improve the Outlook attachment measurement restrict?

Sure, nevertheless it’s not beginner-friendly. You may edit the Home windows Registry to vary Outlook’s most attachment measurement, nevertheless it solely works in case your mail server additionally permits the bigger measurement. If you happen to elevate Outlook’s restrict to 50 MB however your recipient’s server caps at 20 MB, the e-mail will nonetheless fail. Because of this most individuals use cloud-sharing hyperlinks as an alternative.