Some users were complaining about not being able to see the embedded images in Outlook 2003.
I logged onto his/her screen and noticed a red x where the image should be. The email forwarded to me and I was able to see the image just fine. I google it and here’s the solution that worked!
1. Exit out of Outlook 2003 on the machine with the issue.
2. Open the registry (
Start -> Run -> type
regedit -> click
OK).
3. Navigate and open the following registry key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security\OutlookSecureTempFolder
4. Within the key, it should say something like
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3D\
5. Highlight and delete
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3D\
6. Close out of the registry and open Outlook 2003.
7. Solved.
The issue happens due to the 99 file name problem. You can not have more than 99 copies of the same file name in the folder. After it hits the 99th one it will no longer display that image anymore, i.e. image001 (99).jpg.
This will usually happen with emails sent frequently with the same image in them. By going to the location specified in the SecureTempFolder registry key and deleting the contents everything will work again until an image with the same name hits 99 copies.
This is also a hidden file that is not viewable when logged in with the profile your trying to correct. To see the folder, type it into the address bar and it will become visible.
By creating a script that automatically purges this location you can control the problem. Otherwise it will keep reoccurring for users who view messages with the same images in them repeatedly.
The reason deleting the registry key works is because it creates a new folder the next time you login to Outlook which is empty so there is no image file name issue.
Alternative Solution:
Use
CCleaner to remove temp files and the issue will be solved!
