How to Send an Email Attachment Larger Than 25 MB in Outlook
Question details
The user needs to send a file via email, but the file exceeds the standard 25 MB attachment size limit.
- Product
- Outlook / Email Clients
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to email a large file to a recipient.
- Observed behavior
- The email client blocks the outgoing message or prevents the file attachment because it exceeds the maximum 25 MB limit.
Ensure you have an active cloud storage account, such as OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online, and that your file is ready to be uploaded.
Use Cloud Storage to Share a Link
Upload the large file to a cloud service like OneDrive or SharePoint and share the link via email instead of attaching the file directly.
Standard email protocols restrict attachment sizes to ensure smooth server performance. Bypassing this limit requires hosting the file externally and sharing its location.
Log into your OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online account through your web browser.
Navigate to your desired folder, click the 'Upload' button, and select the file that exceeds the 25 MB limit.
Once the upload is complete, select the file and click on the 'Share' or 'Copy link' button in the top menu to generate a shareable URL.
Open Outlook or your preferred email client, compose a new message, and paste the generated sharing link into the body of the email before sending.
Easily Share Large Documents with WPS Office Cloud
Avoid email attachment size limits entirely by using WPS Office. With built-in WPS Cloud, you can upload large documents and generate secure sharing links directly from the editor without relying on external cloud services.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open the large document or presentation you wish to share.
- 2. Access the Share Menu: Click the 'Share' button located at the top right corner of the application window.
- 3. Create a Cloud Link: Select 'Create Link' to automatically upload your document to your WPS Cloud space.
- 4. Send to Recipient: Copy the generated sharing link and paste it directly into your email draft. The recipient can click the link to view or download the file.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a 25 MB attachment limit on emails?
Most email providers, including Outlook and Gmail, enforce a 20 MB to 25 MB limit on incoming and outgoing attachments to prevent server overload, avoid delayed delivery times, and ensure smooth email processing.
Can I compress a file to make it smaller than 25 MB?
Yes, you can zip the file or use built-in compression tools to reduce its size. However, if the file remains over 25 MB after compression, you must use a cloud storage sharing link to send it.
Are sharing links safe to send via email?
Yes, sharing links generated by trusted services like OneDrive, SharePoint, or WPS Cloud are secure. You can enhance security by adding password protection, restricting access to specific email addresses, or setting the link to expire after a certain period.




