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The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.

Ian Roy 45 Reputation points
2026-05-28T11:37:55.7666667+00:00

I’m working on Classic Outlook, but pictures in emails sent by my coworkers aren’t displaying. help me pls, thanks

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business
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  1. Michelle-N 17,855 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-28T12:13:02.7+00:00

    Hi @Ian Roy

    Based on the information you provided, I understand that you are running into an issue on Classic Outlook where images in emails sent by your coworkers are failing to display, showing the error message: "The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted."

    Based on recent technical research, Microsoft is investigating an incident that matches your description. To confirm this, could you tell me if you are using Outlook version 2604 (build 19929.20164)?

    To check if this is the issue you are having, do the following: 

    1. Open the email in classic Outlook.
    2. On the ribbon, select Move > Actions > Other Actions > View Source.
    3. Search the email for cid and locate the tags below. <v:imagedata src="cid:image001.png@01DCE6B1.CF669A40" o:title="" />  <w:wrap type="topAndBottom"/>

    If you have an image like this and it’s not rendering, you're experiencing this issue. Images in the original message should be fine once a fix is released for this issue. Replies or Forwards to these messages may permanently lack the image because it did not get included.

    While Microsoft continues to investigate this issue, to work around the issue avoid setting images with Wrap Text with Top and Bottom.

    You can track the progress of the project and see official updates in the following Microsoft documentation:

    Images are not displayed in emails, newsletters, or signatures in classic Outlook

    Please let me know how it goes or if you have any further updates!

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  3. AI answer

    2026-05-28T11:38:10.7466667+00:00

    In Classic Outlook, this error typically occurs for two main reasons. Use these steps in order.

    1. Check the Internet Explorer security setting
      1. Exit Outlook.
      2. Open Internet Options (for example, search for “Internet Options” from the Start menu or open it from Control Panel).
      3. Go to the Advanced tab.
      4. Under the Security section, find Do not save encrypted pages to disk.
      5. Make sure this option is unchecked (disabled).
      6. Select OK.
      7. Start Outlook again and test the email images.
      If this option is enforced by Group Policy (checkbox is greyed out), contact the organization’s IT administrator to adjust the setting.
    2. Remove the BlockHTTPimages registry value This value blocks images that are loaded from URLs.
      1. Exit Outlook.
      2. Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R).
      3. Type regedit.exe and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
      4. Navigate to one of these keys (depending on whether Group Policy is used):
        • Without Group Policy:
          • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common
        • With Group Policy:
          • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\policies\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common (Replace x.0 with the version in use, for example 16.0 for Office 2016/365.)
      5. In that key, look for a DWORD value named BlockHTTPimages.
      6. If BlockHTTPimages exists and is set to 1, right‑click it and select Delete.
      7. Confirm the deletion.
      8. Close Registry Editor and restart Outlook.
      If the value is under the Policies hive, it is likely set by Group Policy and will return when policy refreshes. In that case, the administrator must change the policy.

    After these changes, images linked via HTTP/HTTPS in coworkers’ emails should display instead of the red X and “The linked image cannot be displayed” message.

    References:

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