How to strip attachments from emails (Windows)

This article shows how to remove attachments and save them to a folder to make your Outlook email experience cleaner and faster. Instructions apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007; and Outlook for Microsoft 365. 

Save Attachments 

Before you delete attachments to an email message, save important attached files to your computer, OneDrive, or other cloud storage service. 

1. Select the email that contains the attachments you want to save. The message displays in the Preview pane. 
   
   
2. Select the attachment dropdown arrow and choose Save All Attachments.
    
3. In the Save All Attachments dialog box, select OK. 
   *To remove a file from the list, press Ctrl and click the file. Only highlighted files are saved. 

   

1. In the Save Attachment dialog box, select the folder in which you want to save the files.
    
2. Select Save. 

Delete Attachments from Messages in Outlook 

1. Select the message that contains the attachments. 
   
   
2. Select the attachment dropdown arrow. Multiple attachments can be selected by holding CTRL + clicking the desired attachments. 
   
   
3. Select Remove Attachment. 

   

4. In the confirmation dialog box, select Remove Attachment(s). 
   
   
5. The attachment(s) is removed from the message, and the rest of the message is left intact.