Outlook Attachment Size Limit: How to Expand It Easily

Understanding Outlook Attachment Size Limit

In Microsoft Outlook, the Outlook attachment size limit is a crucial factor for email management.

Typically, Outlook allows attachments up to 20MB when using the desktop client, and up to 25MB via Outlook.com

When you attempt to send email messages with an attachment larger than this limit, you'll likely encounter an 'error message' as you have exceeded the set limit of mail servers

For users who frequently need to send larger files, Outlook provides options to adjust this limit. For instance, you can increase the 'Outlook attachment size' through settings in the 'registry editor' or use cloud services for larger files.

Why Outlook Has an Attachment Size Limit or

Outlook's Attachment Size limits are put in place to prevent email server overload and ensure quick email delivery.

Large attachments can slow down email delivery and affect the overall performance of the email server.

We'll explore the 'allowable limit' for various Outlook versions, including the 'preferred attachment size limit' and 'desired attachment size limit,' and discuss how understanding these can enhance your email management strategies and can impact your email communication.

Can You Overcome Outlook Attachment Size Limit in Email Account?

The straightforward answer is no; Outlook has set limits on attachment sizes. However, there's a silver lining: effective workarounds do exist in a few ways

Can Outlook Plugin Help You Increase the Email Attachment Size Limit?

No, an Outlook plugin cannot increase the attachment size limit. This limit is governed by Outlook's internal settings and the email server's policies.

By exploring our article, you'll discover multiple strategies for successfully sending large files from your Outlook email account, ensuring your important documents reach their destination without hassle

How to Deal with Outlook File Size Limit: Basic Steps

When File Size Exceeds Outlook's Allowable Limit and Receive an Error Message

If you hit the 'Outlook attachment size limit' while sending 'large files,'

Compress Large Files

Use a compression tool to reduce 'file size' before sending.

Use Cloud Storage Services

Bypass the 'attachment size limit' by sharing files via cloud services.

Increase Size Limits Through the Exchange Admin Center

This method is particularly effective for organizations with specific needs for 'email message' size. Detailed implementation steps are provided later in this article

When Error Message Come for Large File Attachments in Outlook

Upon receiving 'error messages' for exceeding the attachment limit in Outlook:

Split Large Attachments

Divide your large files into smaller parts to avoid 'attachment size exceeds' warnings.

Optimize File Size Before Sending

Check the 'file size' and optimize if close to the 'maximum attachment size.'

Change Attachment Settings in Internet Email Accounts (IMAP/POP)

For personal email accounts accessed through Outlook, like IMAP or POP, you can adjust the attachment settings. This involves changing the 'attachment size limit' in the account settings, which can be an effective way to manage 'large attachments'.

How to Increase Outlook Attachment Size Limit: Advance Steps

Steps to attach files larger than the Attachment Limit in Outlook

Utilize Exchange Admin Center For Microsoft Exchange Account

For those with administrative access in a corporate environment, the Exchange Admin Center offers a straightforward way to adjust attachment size limits, providing some 'wiggle room' for larger email attachments.

Log in to the Exchange Admin Center (EAC).

Navigate to ‘recipients’ and then ‘mailboxes.’

Select the mailbox, and under ‘mailbox features,’ adjust the ‘maximum attachment size.’

Utilize the PowerShell Console Technique

Employ PowerShell techniques to modify attachment size limits, This method provides flexibility, particularly for Exchange users, allowing you to set size limits directly through PowerShell commands.

When to Use PowerShell

Particularly relevant for managing attachment sizes in Exchange Online (part of Office 365) or Exchange Server environments.

Ideal when you need to apply changes to multiple mailboxes or the entire organization.

How to Use PowerShell Console

1. Connect to Exchange Online PowerShell:
   If you’re working with Office 365, connect to Exchange Online using PowerShell.
2. Run the Command to Modify Attachment Size:
   Use the Set-Mailbox cmdlet to modify the attachment size limits.
   For instance, Set-Mailbox -Identity "User" -MaxSendSize 50MB -MaxReceiveSize 50MB sets the send and receive limits for a particular user.
3. Apply to Multiple Mailboxes:
   You can also use PowerShell scripts to apply changes to multiple mailboxes simultaneously, making it efficient for large organizations.

Adjust Outlook Settings

In Outlook, go to ‘File’ > ‘Account Settings.’

Select your account and click ‘Change.’

Under ‘More Settings,’ you may find options to tweak attachment size, depending on your email provider's limitations.

Adjust the 'maximumattachmentsize' Registry value

This involves opening the Registry Editor, navigating to the appropriate registry key, and changing the value in the 'data text box'

When to Use Registry Editor

Use registry value to increase the attachment size limit for Outlook on a Windows machine.

Applicable for standalone installations of Outlook (not connected to an Exchange mail server) or when Exchange server policies allow client-side modifications.

Be sure to follow steps accurately, as seen in guides with 'following screenshots' and 'following commands.'

How to Use Registry Subkeys on Registry Editor

Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Navigate to Outlook's Registry Key:

The path usually is
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\<version>\Outlook\Preferences.
Replace <version> with your Outlook version (e.g., 16.0 for Outlook 2019/365).

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Modify Attachment Size Limit
Look for the MaximumAttachmentSize Value. If it doesn’t exist, right-click on the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it the maximumattachmentsize registry value.

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Set New Limit

Run dialog box and double-click on the MaximumAttachmentSize registry value and set its value. The value is in KB. For example, for a 50 MB limit, enter 51200 (50 * 1024). To remove the limit entirely, set the value to 0.

1. Restart Outlook

1. 
   Close and reopen Outlook for changes to take effect.

Integrate with Cloud Services

Cloud storage integration allows you to bypass the attachment size limit by uploading large files to a cloud server and sharing the link via email using OneDrive

Attach your file, and if it's too large, Outlook will offer to upload it to OneDrive and send a link instead.

In each of these methods, it's important to understand the 'attachment size limit' and how 'size limit' adjustments can impact your email delivery and mail server performance.

Remember, increasing the size limit may help with sending 'large attachments,' but it's also essential to consider the recipient's capacity to receive such large files.

Note: After making changes in the registry or PowerShell, it's essential to restart Outlook.
Open a 'new window' of Outlook to ensure the changes are implemented effectively.