Outlook Express automatically downloads external content when you reply to a message or forward a message on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

When you forward a message or reply to a message that contains external content in Microsoft Outlook Express, the external content is not blocked. The external content is automatically downloaded and included in the message when you reply to the message or when you forward the message. This behavior occurs even though the Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail check box is selected in Outlook Express.

To work around this behavior, use caution when you reply to a message or when you forward a message that contains external content.

By default, the Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail check box is selected in Outlook Express after you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). When this check box is selected, Outlook Express blocks external HTML-based content that is linked to an external location. This kind of external content includes items such as pictures and other Internet content. If this check box is selected, the external content that is contained in a message is blocked when you open and then view the message.

When the Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail check box is selected, Outlook Express helps you manage your e-mail in the following ways:

• It helps you avoid viewing potentially offensive material.
• It lets you choose the images that you want to take the time to download if you have a dial-up connection.
• It helps reduce the number of junk e-mail messages that you receive. Images that are contained in junk e-mail messages frequently include Web beacons that notify the sender's Web server when you read or preview a message. The Web beacon validates your e-mail address and frequently causes you to receive more junk e-mail messages and to possibly receive computer viruses.

When Outlook Express blocks pictures or other content, those items are replaced with an icon that displays a red X. When you receive a legitimate message, such as a newsletter that you subscribe to, you can view the external content in that message by clicking the InfoBar. The InfoBar is the banner near the top of the message.

When you forward a message or when you reply to a message that links to external content, Outlook Express tries to download the content again. The blocked content is included in the message. When you print a message that contains external content that has not been downloaded automatically, the external content is downloaded and appears in the printed message.

Although we do not recommend it, you can configure Outlook Express to automatically download all pictures and external content. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Security tab.
2. Click to clear the Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail check box.