![Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]](http://www.outlook-tips.net/images/2014/MVP_BlueOnly.png)
It’s not my preferred setting, but many users do want all external content downloaded automatically when they view a message. You can enable automatic download by selecting Choose Automatic Settings from the menu when you click on the Infobar to download content.
You download external content settings are:
- Don't download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail messages or RSS items
- Permit downloads in e-mail messages from senders and to recipients defined in the Safe Senders and Safe Recipients Lists used by the Junk E-mail filter
- Permit downloads from Web sites in this security zone: Trusted Zone
- Permit downloads in RSS items
- Permit downloads in SharePoint Discussion Boards
- Warn me before downloading content when editing, forwarding, or replying to e-mail
I recommend choosing the second option – permit downloading content from addresses in your safe lists. As I mentioned, I prefer blocking all external content and downloading what I want to see. This is faster (and reduces bandwidth usages) when I’m using cellular connection.
The downloaded content is not saved in Outlook – it’s kept in the Temporary Internet Files cache with other web content you’ve viewed. Outlook will use the cached copy if one exists; if the content is something you want to save, use File, Save as HTML to create a local copy. Don’t count on the sender keeping the content online for an extended period of time.
Published April 19, 2011. Last updated on August 15, 2012.
