Navigating the complexities of email attachments can be a hassle, especially when you’re uncertain about their security. Often, when an email attachment refuses to open in Microsoft Word, it raises concerns about its authenticity and the potential risks associated with it. And while it’s always prudent to be cautious of attachments from unknown sources, there are instances when opening them becomes inevitable. If you find yourself in such a situation, you’re in luck. Microsoft Word comes equipped with safety features that help guard against potential threats like malware, viruses, and Trojan horses. The software’s built-in settings act as a fortress, ensuring that your computer remains shielded from unwarranted cyber-attacks. One such protective measure is the Reading View mode. When enabled for attachments in Word Options, it offers a safer way to view content. And if you’re wondering how to activate this mode, this risewindows article is here to guide you every step of the way. Dive in to find out how you can open email attachments in Reading View on MS Office Word and keep potential threats at bay.
How to Open Email Attachments in Reading View in Word using Word Options?
Use the following steps to enable Review View in Word:-
Step 1: Firstly, open a Microsoft Word document.
Step 2: Then, go to the File menu.
Step 3: Next, find Options on the left side.
Step 4: Switch to the General tab in the Word Options panel.
Step 5: In the “Start up options” section, find the option “Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view” and check it.
Step 6: Finally, click the OK button.
How to Open Email Attachments in Reading View in Word using Registry Editor?
To open email attachments in Reading View in Word on Windows 11 or 10 by tweaking the Registry, use the following steps:-
Step 1: As the first step, open Registry Editor.
Step 2: After that, in the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key in the left sidebar:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0
Step 3: Right-click on the 16.0 folder and go to New > Key.
Step 4: Name the newly created key as the word.
Step 5: Next, choose New > Key by right-clicking on the word folder.
Step 6: Name the newly created key as options.
Step 7: Right-click on options and go to New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 8: Rename the REG_DWORD as allowautoreadingmode.
Step 9: Open the allowautoreadingmode REG_DWORD by double-clicking on it and setting “Value data” as 1.
Step 10: Click on the OK button.
Step 11: Reboot your computer as the final step and apply the changes.
How to Open Email Attachments in Reading View in Word through Group Policy Editor?
Use the following steps to open email attachments in Reading View in Word through Group Policy Editor on Windows 11 or 10:-
Step 1: First, open Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 2: Then, browse the following in the left sidebar:-
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Word 2016 > Word Options > General
Step 3: Find the policy: Open email attachments in Reading View on the right sidebar of the “General” folder. Then, double-click on it.
Step 4: Select Enabled.
Step 5: Click on the Apply button.
Step 6: Click on the OK button.
Step 7: At last, restart your computer to apply the changes.
That’s it.
Conclusion
Email security is of utmost importance in today’s digital world, and Microsoft Word provides features that protect users from potential threats that may arise from email attachments. These protective features, such as the Reading View mode, offer a safer way to preview content. This guide covered how to activate the Reading View for email attachments using three different methods: Word Options, the Registry Editor, and the Group Policy Editor. Following these steps ensures you are taking the right precautions to maintain your computer’s safety and security.
