Images stopped showing in Outlook/Hotmail

l1234 · 19 Sep 2021

Yes, it's definitely something with outlook. It's happening on my desktop, laptop, tablet and phone. I originally thought it was a Windows 10 issue but it isn't. When did your email start not showing images?

W10 Tweaker · 19 Sep 2021

l1234 said:

Hi - I tried changing the setting to "Don't use Outlook service..." but unfortunately it didn't make any difference. I am wondering what you mean by using a local client for your Hotmail.

Instead of using a web browser, I use an installed app on my PC. I found a deal I couldn't refuse for a subscription to Microsoft 365 and that includes the Microsoft Outlook email client app. It allows access to multiple email servers and has many more advanced services than using webmail through a browser.
I use it for 2 Hotmail, 1 Outlook.com, 1 Gmail and 1 account from my ISP.

There are several free email clients available to provide the same functionality. My first choice for a free email client is Thunderbird. It has the ability to use IMAP or POP email and many customizable features. Don't just read the wrapper and accept the advertised features, there's countless backdoor tweaks to change almost everything from folder icons to fonts, colours, and behaviors.

I installed it on a senior client's PC last year and tweaked it up to improve clarity and make it easier for her to use.

Thunderbird — Make Email Easier. — Thunderbird

l1234 said:

(Hard to believe I've been using a computer since 1982 and still don't know what I'm doing!) Thanks so much for your help!

Unless you've worked with computers daily for many years, it's very difficult to keep up. And using a PC is not quite the same as building, repairing and maintaining computer systems and networks.

You're most welcome for the assist. We will do our best to help, however; some things are beyond our reach. If Microsoft has some strange issue with Outlook mail, we may be forced to work around the problem.

I'll keep looking for another solution and there are many skilled members here with lots of great ideas. You may be forced to start using a local client app like Thunderbird.

If you search Ten Forums, there have been several threads highlighting different features of email clients.

l1234 · 19 Sep 2021

Thanks very much W10 Tweaker. I will definitely look into those apps. It sounds as if the MS one would simplify things.

Hotmailuser · 19 Sep 2021

W10 Tweaker said:

You're most welcome.

I did find this setting in Hotmail that is related.
Attachment 346582

That setting doesn't affect this issue.

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l1234 said:

Yes, it's definitely something with outlook. It's happening on my desktop, laptop, tablet and phone. I originally thought it was a Windows 10 issue but it isn't. When did your email start not showing images?

A day or two ago.

l1234 · 20 Sep 2021

W10 Tweaker - Oh no! I purchased Microsoft 365, installed it on my desktop, and still no images in Outlook! I'll see if someone at Microsoft can help.

Hotmailuser · 20 Sep 2021

l1234 said:

W10 Tweaker - Oh no! I purchased Microsoft 365, installed it on my desktop, and still no images in Outlook! I'll see if someone at Microsoft can help.

If you get a response from MS, please post it here.

l1234 · 20 Sep 2021

I downloaded again and the images still didn't show. In settings, there is now a Options setting: "Trust Center". I unchecked the box for "Don't download pictures automatically...". That comes with a warning that it opens me up to spam, but unless I manually add all the trusted sources there doesn't seem to be a way around that. It must have been set that way before the change a couple of days ago?? Spam has never been a major problem before so probably nothing will change. I don't click on questionable emails - just immediately delete or report them if they have landed in the inbox.

Hotmailuser · 20 Sep 2021

l1234 said:

I downloaded again and the images still didn't show. In settings, there is now a Options setting: "Trust Center". I unchecked the box for "Don't download pictures automatically...". That comes with a warning that it opens me up to spam, but unless I manually add all the trusted sources there doesn't seem to be a way around that. It must have been set that way before the change a couple of days ago?? Spam has never been a major problem before so probably nothing will change. I don't click on questionable emails - just immediately delete or report them if they have landed in the inbox.

Trust Center isn't part of outlook.com.

Did you get images to show?

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This issue is being discussed in several different threads at "Get help with Outlook.com"

You can work around the issue by grouping emails by conversation.

l1234 · 20 Sep 2021

Hotmailuser - Sorry for the delay in responding. I was temporarily banned from this forum because Microsoft 365 Outlook added an email from the forum to my junk folder. I got it sorted out and am back.

Yes the images show up now that I changed that setting. The setting doesn't seem to be available in the online version outside of Microsoft 365. Thanks for the update suggestion. I'll look into that.

Hotmailuser · 20 Sep 2021

l1234 said:

Hotmailuser - Sorry for the delay in responding. I was temporarily banned from this forum because Microsoft 365 Outlook added an email from the forum to my junk folder. I got it sorted out and am back.

Yes the images show up now that I changed that setting. The setting doesn't seem to be available in the online version outside of Microsoft 365. Thanks for the update suggestion. I'll look into that.

In the ONLINE version of outlook.com click on the Gear (settings), Mail, Layout, under Message organization select Show email grouped by conversation.