August 30, 2004 07:30 PM

Outlook: Accessing the Temporary Internet Files Folder for Attachments

Rating: (0)
Windows IT Pro
InstantDoc ID #43606

When I open a file attachment from an Outlook message, I notice that when I choose File, Save As, the opened file is in a folder named OLK6 in the\Documents & Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files folder. How can I access this OLK6 folder directly? When I use Windows Explorer, the OLK6 folder isn't visible, even though I've set the options in Windows Explorer to show hidden files and folders.

Outlook never opens a file attachment directly but always saves it to disk first. The Microsoft article "OL2002: Opened Attachments Are Saved in a Subdirectory in Your Temporary Internet Files Directory" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296115) explains that Outlook generates a random folder name for these temporary attachment copies for each user. So, your folder name is OLK6, but another user's folder name might be OLKC320. The folder path is stored in a Windows registry string value named OutlookSecureTempFolder in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security subkey (for Outlook 2002; change 10.0 to 11.0 for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 or to 9.0 for Outlook 2000).

After you know the name of the folder (you can easily find the name by using File, Save As to save an attachment), you can display that folder by following these steps:

  1. In Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), choose Tools, Internet Options, and on the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click Settings.
  2. In the Settings dialog box, click View Files to display the hidden \<username>\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files folder.
  3. In the Address box in IE, append your Outlook temporary attachment folder name to the folder path, then click Go to switch to that folder.

When Windows displays the folder, you can select Favorites, Add to Favorites to create a shortcut in IE so that the folder is easy to locate next time.

ARTICLE TOOLS

Add a Comment

Worked great. Directory had read only files also.
I took the option to delete the read only file too.

mb03guy 4/1/2008 10:48:24 AM


I actually have a question about this. I was able to locate the file but was unable to see the documents on ONE desktop. We operate in a GI-D desktop world and unfortunately I am not on the Admin end. All other desktops stored outlook temp files in an OLK# file but this one points directly to the Temporary Internet Folder. When I open the folder we cannot locate .doc, .xls, .csv or other 'useful' files. In performing the save as, we can see many like files. For instance when performing a save as on an .xls spreadsheet, we see 50+ .xls documents in the folder but NOTHING else. Same with .csv and .doc - only see like files and nothing more.

I have already made the switch to 'show hidden folders/files' and this made no difference.

Any clues?????

dgrant65 4/24/2007 1:52:56 PM


unfortunately these instructions are not accurate. "click View Files to display the hidden \\\\Local Settings\\Temporary Internet Files folder."

When I click on 'View Files' under 'General tab'>'temporary internet files> 'settings' my choices are: 'Move Folder...', 'View files...', and 'View objects...' none of which allow you to change settings. Maybe I'm missing something.

markcossin 3/7/2007 10:17:09 AM


I have been wondering about this for years! I would always go look in the temporary internet files folder, but could never locate this outlook temp directory. Thanks for the info!

brethilton 1/19/2007 2:02:46 PM


Great thanks! That was really annoying me.

jen.wheaton@gmail.com 3/10/2006 8:35:22 AM


You must log on before posting a comment.

Are you a new visitor? Register Here

advertisement

Related Resources

Keep Your Email Flowing
A Podcasts by AppAssure Software
fundamentals cd exchange and outlook
A Utilities by Windows IT Pro
More

advertisement

GOOGLE LINKS
SPONSORED LINKS
FEATURED LINKS

eBooks

Playbook for a Virtualized Datacenter | During challenging times, optimizing the IT infrastructure becomes imperative. Many organizations are looking to extend their virtualization efforts to encompass the entire datacenter. Get a step-through of your technology options and more.

White Papers

As the advances in USB devices have made them invaluable to most business users’, they have also exposed organizations to enormous risks. Learn how to easily enforce device/port control and data encryption policies without requiring new infrastructure and additional admin overhead.

WEB SEMINARS

Is Flexible Lockdown Possible? Join Darren Mar-Elia for this free web webinar exploring the various methods you should consider to protect and control your desktops while also understanding the impact on the end user community.
View Seminar On-Demand.

eLearning Series

Windows IT Pro brings the experts direct to you to share their real-world perspective, experience, and expertise. During each event, three sessions stream in real time, allowing you to learn, to ask questions, and to get solutions.
Upcoming event: SQL Server Consolidation

Subscribe to Windows IT Pro!

Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. Windows IT Pro is used by Penton Media Inc. under license from owner.