Can't attach files to e-mail messages

This solution article provides troubleshooting information to users who are experiencing problems attaching file/files to their outgoing message in Windows Live Hotmail.

Symptoms:

You are unable to attach a file and you receive an error message, or nothing happens every time that you try to attach a file to an e-mail message.

What does this mean?

You may have to configure your browser to ensure that it works optimally with Windows Live Hotmail.

What should you do?

Try the following solutions in the order that they're presented:

# Optimize and reset the default settings for Windows Internet Explorer.

1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.

2. Follow the steps for your browser:

a. If you have Internet Explorer 6, do the following:

I. On the General tab, click Delete Cookies, and then click OK.

II. Click Delete Files, select the Delete all offline content check box, and then click OK. It may take several minutes for the files to be deleted.

III. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Restore Defaults.

b. If you have Internet Explorer 7, do the following:

I. Under Browsing history, click Delete.

II. In the Delete Browsing History window, click Delete all, and then click Yes. It may take several minutes for the files to be deleted.

III. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Restore advanced settings.

3. Click the Security tab, click the Internet icon, click Default Level, and then click Apply. Repeat this step for the Restricted and the Trusted zones.

4. Click Trusted Sites, click Sites, and then clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box.

5. Under Add this Web site to the zone, type *.hotmail.com, and then click Add. Do the same for *.passport.com, *.live.com, and *.msn.com, and then click OK in Internet Explorer 6, or click Close in Internet Explorer 7.

6. Click the Privacy tab, and then click Sites.

7. Under Address of Web site, type *.hotmail.com, and then click Allow. Do the same for *.passport.com, *.live.com, and *.msn.com, and then click OK.

8. Click OK.

Notes

*  To determine the version of Internet Explorer that you're using, in Internet Explorer, click the Help menu, and then click About Internet Explorer.

* If you're using a browser other than Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7, see the documentation for that browser for more information about how to optimize your settings.

# Add *.live.com, *.passport.com, *.hotmail.com, and *.msn.com to the list of safe domains in your firewall, pop-up blocker, and antivirus software.

To learn how to do this, see the documentation for your firewall, pop-up blocker, or antivirus software. To learn how to configure Microsoft Windows Firewall in Windows XP with Service Pack 2, see the Microsoft TechNet website. 

# Install the latest version of your Internet browser.

To install the latest version of Windows Internet Explorer, visit the Internet Explorer download website.

To install the latest version of another browser, contact the manufacturer of that browser.