Outlook 2010 not allowing links to files on internal network

[dwilk]

Hello, new user here. Found this site while searching for an answer to this problem. Unfortunately the link that came up in search was for a slightly different problem, and relating to external, web, links.

I'm the net admin for a small network. One of my users has a problem that has just started today, apparently. When emailed a link to a file on the internal network, from another user on this same network, clicking on the link simply gives an error about it not being allowed. (“This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator.”)

All users are admins on their own local boxes. This user could perform this function prior to today. There is no problem with the structure of the link, nor with security for the file in question. (I first verified that the user has access to the file, and he does, he can navigate via Windows Explorer to the location, open the file, even has write access to that location)

Even when creating an email, and not using a masked link, but a full UNC path, the 'Crtl click' to go to the location results in the same error.

I tried removing spaces from the file name, same error. I tried typing out a link to a share (not a file), one that has no spaces and I know he has access to, same error.

This represents a significant problem. My users need to be able to send links to internal locations and files, and not attachments (for multiple reasons).

Has anyone else encountered this? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[nckfrtg28]

Have you checked the firewall settings?

 

[dwilk]

Have you checked the firewall settings?

I just did now. Even when turning it completely off, it did not change anything. I did not reboot after the change, as the user had stepped out for lunch and had work open, but, AFAIK the firewall should not require a reboot for changes to take effect.

I also tried disabling Outlook's DEP. Even with both that, and the OS firewall off, the problem persists.


Edit - I also just went to another user with the same OS/Outlook config and tried the same testing method - open a new email, type out a UNC path, control-click, and it worked just fine.

Also, the problematic system just got a whole bunch of .NET updates on the 6th. I'm not sure if that might have any bearing or not.

 

[nckfrtg28]

Have you tried to reinstalling it?

 

[dwilk]

Have you tried to reinstalling it?

No, that is an impractical solution. Too much down-time with no guarentee of a fix.

I did ask him to uninstall all the .NET 4 updates that were installed 2 days ago. I could not do it myself due the necessary reboot, his being unprepared at the moment, and differing schedule. Have to see what happens there, but I am not hopeful.

Any other suggestions are certainly appreciated.

 

[nckfrtg28]

Maybe uninstall any updates from windows update for outlook.

 

[emailaslink]

Download this free tool at Email-As-Link | Simple Script – Big Impact . It will create file links for outlook by "right clicking" directly on the files that you want. The tool makes it easy to send links for several files at once and even to send links from search results or any other file list in Windows. The program will add an item to your "send to" menu in Windows that appears when you "right click".