Software & Apps > MS Office How to Prevent Outlook From Downloading Images Automatically Stop those images from downloading automatically By Heinz Tschabitscher Heinz Tschabitscher Writer University of Vienna A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 21, 2020 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email MS Office Outlook Word Excel Powerpoint What to Know Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Automatic Download. Select Don't download pictures automatically.Outlook 2007: Go to Tools > Trust Center > Automatic Download and check Don't download pictures automatically.Mac: Go to Outlook > Preferences. In the Email section, select Reading. In the Security section, select Never. This article explains how to stop Microsoft Outlook from automatically downloading content from the web when you open or preview emails. Instead, set up Outlook to download images only from trusted senders. Instructions cover Outlook 2019 through 2003, Outlook 365, and Outlook for Mac. How to Stop Outlook From Downloading Images Automatically Emails with images are a nice thing to see in Outlook—as long as they're sent from legitimate sources. Newsletters that look like websites are not only more attractive but also easier to read than their plain-text counterparts. But these emails may contain unwanted content that may cause harm to your computer or may be too large for your computer to handle. Protect your privacy and your computer with just a few simple steps. For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 To prevent images from downloading in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010: Select File > Options. In Outlook Options, select Trust Center. Under Microsoft Outlook Trust Center, select Trust Center Settings. In the Trust Center dialog box, select Automatic Download. Select Don't download pictures automatically in HTML email or RSS items. Optionally, select Permit downloads in email messages from senders and to recipients defined in the Safe Senders and Safe Recipients Lists used by the Junk Email filter. The sender is not verified. If somebody uses an email address that is not their own and is on your Safe Senders List, images are downloaded automatically. Optionally, select the Permit downloads from Web sites in this security zone: Trusted Zone check box. Select OK to close the Trust Center dialog box. Select OK to close the Outlook Options dialog box. For Outlook for Mac 2016 The process is slightly different for Outlook for Mac: Select Outlook > Preferences. In the Email section, select Reading. In the Security section, select Never. Or select In messages from my contacts to have Outlook for Mac download images in emails from senders whose addresses are in your address book. Spoofing an email address is easy. A sender uses your email address (which is in your address book) in place of the sender's email address to fool Outlook for Mac into downloading a dangerous file. Close the Reading preferences window. For Outlook 2007 in Windows If you use Outlook 2007, follow these steps to prevent Outlook from downloading images: Select Tools > Trust Center. Go to Automatic Download. Select Don't download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail or RSS items. Select OK. For Outlook 2003 in Windows Here's how to prevent images from downloading in Outlook 2003: Select Tools > Options. Go to Security. Select Change Automatic Download Settings. Select Don't download pictures or other content automatically in HTML e-mail. Optionally, select 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. Select Permit downloads from Web sites in this security zone: Trusted Zone. Select OK twice. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit