Option of "Attach as Copy" to be set as default option when attaching file to an email in Microsoft Outlook 2016
Option of "Attach as Copy" to be set as default option when attaching file to an email in Microsoft Outlook 2016. Or ability to control the default option via GPO.

Thank you for all your feedback. We heard you and now for Office 365 Subscribers on Current Channel, when you use the attach file command, local files will be automatically added as attachments. Files stored in the cloud will come with a dialog that ask you whether you would prefer to add as an attachment or share as a link. In Options, we also added a toggle to remember your preference if you would like to always add as an attachment.
151 comments
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Pat Frank commented
Suddenly about a year ago, my recipients cannot open the attachments I send--since I started an email with Outlook. Since I am the HOA Treasurer and bill our residents, this is a vital operation !
Is Outlook doing, this, or some other entity. Do I have to get rid of my outlook email and just use my IP ?
This is a terrible thing for the computer gurus to do to people!
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Jaime Reyes commented
Hi, this is what worked for me... In the main screen of your email go to File/Options/General/ and then the fifth section op the Outlook Options screen is "Attachment options", I selected Always attach them as copies and it is working very well for me now.
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Anonymous commented
The option to default to attach vs link does not appear in Outlook 365.
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Anonymous commented
Same problem, that my default was set to attach as copies, but the documents kept attaching as a link that could be edited by anyone (I could not even change to a view-only link).
The solution below of dragging and dropping worked; however, users should not have to resort to this solution.
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Anonymous commented
I agree that we need the ability to attach documents (from My Computer) as files or copies, rather than OneDrive attachments. Whatever change has been made, it's very frustrating.
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Anonymous commented
With the new update i am absolutely not able to attach as copy and it is infuriating
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Camille commented
"In Outlook.live.com I have set "always share them as copies" as default but attachment is always sent as Onedrive link. Have started using Gmail.." => same for me
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Anonymous commented
In Outlook.live.com I have set "always share them as copies" as default but attachment is always sent as Onedrive link. Have started using Gmail..
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Leslie Jordan commented
Also not able to attach a file as a copy, even though I have that as my setting.
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sarvesh somani commented
Option of "Attach as Copy" to be set as default option when attaching file to an email in Microsoft Outlook 2016. Or ability to control the default option via GPO.
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Anonymous commented
tried changing to ' Always attach file as a copy" but never work always be onedrive
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Amr Samir commented
Drag and drop the file is working :)
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STANLEY GREIG commented
What happened to attach as a copy in the new Outlook. Now I have to attach all my files from OneDrive and the recipient can't open unless they have OneDrive as well. This is insane!
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NF commented
I cannot "Attach as a copy" anymore in my hotmail account. I think this has been happening for more than 6 months.
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roo roo commented
Hi, My hotmail account has changed and now when I wantto send a photo I can not find Attach as a copy.. I send emails with photos and the reciver cant see them
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Jose Morato commented
This is still an issue for us also. When we attach a file from SharePoint on-premise (not SP online or OneDrive) it inserts a link and does not actually attach the file. We currently have Office 2016 (16.0.8431.2110)
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Chris commented
This is still an issue., just to clarify there is no option to manage this via GPO. Will this be reopened?
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Anonymous commented
In Outlook 2016: File --> Options --> General --> Attachment Options.
You can set it to Prompt you to choose, Always an Attachment ("Copies"), or Always a Link ("Cloud Files"). -
mansoureh_tehrani@hotmail.com commented
I just installed the latest version of Office 365 on my Mac. It has been a mess with Outlook. I am not getting the dialogue box, that is mentioned above, to select attach a copy. I also cannot see that option that I used to have on the drop down to tell it to send as a copy.
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Loren Rex commented
What would really help me is the ability create an Outlook email by sending from Adobe that it would create an email with a copy of the attachment. I do this a lot and want to view the attachment and cannot until I save or send the email.