Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

IE-Outlook Express-preview pane?

by tom4561 Oct 14, 2006 12:38AM PDT

I've read that for better security, you should not have the Preview Pane in Outlook Express. If that's true, what steps do I take to eliminate it? thanks, Tom.

Discussion is locked

11 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Disable Preview Pane In Outlook Express..
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Oct 14, 2006 2:34AM PDT

You haven't given us your specific version of Outlook Express but these instructions should still do it for you. Open OE, then make sure you're viewing the "Inbox", then click on "View" in the upper left, select "Layout". When that loads, UNCHECK the box next to "Show Preview Pane". Click on "apply", then OK.

Perform the same procedure in each of your mailbox areas such as "Delete Items", "Sent Items", etc.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) thank you Grif , for the easy directions!
by tom4561 Oct 14, 2006 4:10AM PDT
- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) Good Job & Glad It Helped!
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Oct 14, 2006 8:00AM PDT
- Collapse -
Outlok Express
by Derek R Oct 20, 2006 8:19PM PDT

How can I find out what version of ME on my system. I have looked everywhere I know, and no version No is given. Will the version be updated by MS? ( I have MS updates enabled). It does seem important to know what version is installed to assertain what level of security I have. Regards Derek R

- Collapse -
Which Version Of Millenium Edition (ME) You Have Installed??
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Oct 22, 2006 1:57AM PDT

1. To determine the version of Windows ME you have installed, there are a couple of ways I can think of.. (a). RIGHT click on "My Computer" on the desktop, choose "Properties". (Or open the Control Panel, double click on the "System" icon) ON the "General" tab, it will display your operating system, version number and any service packs for your operating system. (b). Although I'm not on a Windows ME computer at the moment, you should be able to click on Start-Accessories-System Tools-System Information. The System Summary listing will describe a number of things including the operating system and its specific verion number..

2. Still, as far as I know, all Windows ME computers should be at "4.90.3000" version. It will NOT be upgraded further as it no longer supported by Microsoft. (End Of Support Was July 2006)

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Really necessary to do away with preview pane?
by regcnet Oct 20, 2006 2:13AM PDT

There is a place in Tools-Options-Read that one can uncheck "Automatically download message when reviewing in the preview pane." Would that be enough, rather than doing away with the preview pane altogether?

- Collapse -
Preview Page
by Derek R Oct 20, 2006 6:10AM PDT

If you go -View -Layout then open customise toolbar you can place a button on your toolbar that enables you to switch preview on and off, much more convienent than switching off completely.

- Collapse -
So..If You Don't 'Automatically Download When Using..'
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Oct 20, 2006 2:06PM PDT

...the Preview Pane",,, then why use it? And besides, when an infected message hits the preview pane, it automatically executes the attached virus. It doesn't matter whether it was "automatically downloaded" or whether you chose to do it at some later time..

See the virus write-ups below:

See the technical details of this one:
W32.Klez.gen@mm

Much of Preview Pane security depends on the version of Outlook or Outlook Express you are running:
HOW SAFE IS THE PREVIEW PANE?

Although there have been patches to prevent most of the infections methods, it's still a risk. The risk is your's to take.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Thank you for the full information
by regcnet Oct 21, 2006 6:08AM PDT

I help other people with their computers. This will help convince them not to use the preview pane.

- Collapse -
My wife's preview panels in OE has disappeared
by DonPerham Feb 15, 2009 7:00PM PST

Instead of the normal list of emails in the Inbox, she just gets the last two received in full on the page.

I've tried switching off the Preview Panel in View --> Layout and then on again without success.

Help please.
Don Perham

- Collapse -
The issue has grown to such severity that...
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 15, 2009 11:54PM PST

A decent security suite may turn it off for the owner automatically.

-> That preview is a chink in your armor. Leave it off.
Bob

Back to Computer Newbies forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info