Removing Multiple Message Attachments

Question

When I receive notifications to reduce the size of my server storage.  I usually sort out the messages with attachments and mass delete them by using the "Message: Attachments: Remove All" command.

This no longer works in the "new and improved" OUTLOOK FOR MAC, and in order to accomplish the same the functionality, thousands of messages need to have their attachments removed one-by-one.  This is unacceptable.

Is their a fix imminent or a functional work around?

Is this a known issue that is being worked on by Microsoft?  I see your retail stores are up and running, now how about your software products?

Answer 1

The Remove All command applies to only one message at a time. You cannot select multiple messages and use this command.

You can, however, create a rule that you can run manually to remove messages from multiple messages.

1. Select Tools menu --> Rules... and create a new rule for your account type (POP, IMAP or Exchange).
2. Name the rule something like "Remove all attachments".
3. Set When a new message arrives to All Messages.
4. Set Do the following to Remove Attachments.
5. UNcheck the Enabled option so that this rule does not run on any incoming messages.

To use this rule you can select one or more messages, right-click or Control-click it and select Rules --> Apply --> Remove all attachments.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

It seems you cannot remove multipole attachments from multiple emails like you could in earlier versions of Entourage, each mail has to be addressed individually, which is a painstakingly long process and pretty much useless.  

Creating a smart folder just aggregates mails into a folder that exhibits the same behavior.  In other words, it doesn't work.

Answer 3

No matter how I set up the rule, not a single attachment is deleted.

Answer 4

Tried this on Pop Sent Items on Outlook for Mac 2011.  Although the Rule runs, it does not actually delete any attachments.  :-(

Answer 5

I suggest creating a Smart folder to view messages with attachments. You could even add a date if desired.

All Mail > Attachment exists

• Select all messages in smart folder
• Under Message in the Menu bar, select Attachments > Remove All

Note: these forums are community discussion forums. We are your peers. Send feedback directly to Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/product-feedback