Where Does Outlook Save Downloaded Email Attachments?
Question details
The user needs to locate downloaded Outlook email attachments to determine whether the files are saved on the local hard drive or synced to OneDrive.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to locate files after downloading email attachments from Microsoft Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- The downloaded email attachments cannot be found in the expected folders on the local computer or cloud storage.
Ensure you know the exact file name or file extension of the missing attachment, as this will make searching your computer or OneDrive much easier.
Check the Local Downloads Folder
By default, Outlook saves downloaded attachments to your computer's main Downloads folder unless specified otherwise.
When using both classic Outlook and new Outlook, clicking 'Download' on an attachment typically sends the file directly to your system's default Downloads directory.
Press the Windows Key + E on your keyboard to launch File Explorer.
Click on 'Downloads' in the left-hand Quick Access navigation pane.
Right-click in the folder, select 'Sort by', and choose 'Date modified' to bring the most recently downloaded attachments to the top of the list.
Search Your OneDrive Storage
If you use Microsoft 365 or new Outlook, attachments might be automatically saved to your connected OneDrive account instead of local storage.
Easily Open and Edit Your Downloaded Attachments with WPS Office
Once you locate your downloaded Outlook attachments, you need a fast and reliable office suite to open them. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that flawlessly handles Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs in one unified application.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
- 2. Locate Your Attachment: Find the downloaded Outlook attachment in your Downloads folder or OneDrive.
- 3. Open with WPS: Double-click the file, or right-click and select 'Open with > WPS Office' to view and edit your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the default attachment download location in Outlook?
When you click 'Save As' on an attachment, Outlook opens a file browser. Navigate to your preferred folder and click 'Save'. Outlook will remember this location for manual downloads during your current session.
Where does classic Outlook save attachments when I just click 'Open' instead of 'Save'?
If you open an attachment directly without saving it, classic Outlook stores it in a hidden temporary folder called the 'Outlook Secure Temp Folder', which is located deep within your system's AppData directory.
Why can't I open the attachment after I find it in my Downloads folder?
You may not have the appropriate software installed to read the file format. For example, you need an Office suite like WPS Office to open DOCX or XLSX files, and a PDF reader to view PDF files.
