Attachment Issues

How to Save an Image from an Outlook Email Without the Save as Picture Option

Huda Qurayshi Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to save an image embedded in an Outlook email, but the standard "Save as Picture" right-click option is unavailable.

How to Save an Image from Outlook When "Save as Picture" is Missing

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to extract or save a visual element (like a logo, chart, or photo) from an incoming Outlook email message.
Observed behavior: The "Save as Picture" option does not appear in the context menu. This typically happens when the image is externally linked, inserted as an OLE object, or used as an HTML background.

Before you start

Ensure you have clicked "Download Pictures" in the email's information bar, as Outlook blocks automatic downloads of linked external images by default for privacy and security reasons.

Solution 1Recommended

Save the Email Message as HTML

This is the most reliable method for extracting all images from an email, especially background images and embedded graphics.

By saving the entire Outlook message as an HTML file, Windows automatically creates a separate folder containing all the graphical assets of the email, allowing you to easily browse and save the images you need.

Open the email

Double-click the email message in your inbox to open it in its own standalone window.

Navigate to Save As

Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Save As' from the menu.

Choose HTML format

In the 'Save as type' drop-down menu, select 'HTML (*.htm;*.html)'. Choose a destination like your Desktop and click 'Save'.

Retrieve the images

Go to the destination folder where you saved the file. You will see the HTML file and an accompanying folder with the same name. Open this folder to find all the extracted images in formats like JPG or PNG.

Background Extraction: This method is the only built-in way to extract an image that has been set as the email's page background rather than inserted as an inline picture.

Solution 2

Download Linked Pictures

If an image is externally linked rather than embedded, Outlook must download it before the save option becomes available.

Solution 3

Open and Save OLE Objects

Images pasted directly from other programs (like Word, Excel, or Paint) may be embedded as OLE objects, requiring them to be saved from their native applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Save as Picture' option missing in my Outlook email?

This typically happens if the image is externally linked and blocked from downloading, if it was pasted as an OLE object from another application (like MS Paint or Excel), or if the image is set as the HTML background of the email.

Can I just copy and paste the image to save it?

Yes. If the 'Save as Picture' option is missing but you can select the image, simply click it and press Ctrl+C to copy. Open an image editor like Paint or a document editor like WPS Writer, press Ctrl+V to paste, and then save the file.

How do I extract a background image from an Outlook email?

Background images cannot be right-clicked and saved directly. You must use the 'File' > 'Save As' option in Outlook, choose 'HTML' format, and save it to your computer. A companion folder will be created containing the background image file.

Outlook & Email Problems