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Users can't open documents on a network file share by using Outlook on the web in Exchange Server or Exchange Online

  • Applies to: Exchange Online, Exchange Server 2016 Enterprise Edition, Exchange Server 2016 Standard Edition, Exchange Server 2013 Enterprise, Exchange Server 2013 Standard Edition

Original KB number:   2918627

Symptoms

Users in an on-premises Microsoft Exchange Server or Exchange Online environment can't use Outlook on the web (formerly known as Outlook Web App (OWA)) to open a shared document that resides on a network drive. When a user opens an email message in Outlook on the web and then selects the link to the shared document, the document doesn't open.

Cause

This behavior is by design. In Exchange Server and in Exchange Online in Microsoft 365, you can't use Outlook on the web to access shared files through a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path.

Resolution

Do one of the following:

  • In Outlook on the web, right-click the link in the email message, and then select the option to download the file to your local computer.
  • Use Outlook to view the email message, and then open the file directly through the link.

More information

Still need help? Go to Microsoft Community or the Microsoft Q&A.