Outlook 2003 red x where embedded image should be in email
Some user was complaining to me the other day about not being able to see embedded images in Outlook 2003. I logged onto his screen and noticed a red x where the image should be. I had him forward me one of the emails and I was able to see the image just fine. I honestly didn’t care if he couldn’t see it or not since it wasn’t work-related….but…sometimes I’m a nice guy. I searched the Internet a bit and here’s the solution that worked!
- Exit out of Outlook 2003 on the machine with the issue
- Open the registry (Start->Run->type cmd->click Ok)
- Navigate and open the following registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security\OutlookSecureTempFolder
- Within the key…it should say something like %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3D\
- Highlight and delete %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3D\
- Close out of the registry and open Outlook 2003!
- Wooohoooo!!! All fixed!
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Shit happens...deal with it. I've heard it all....or at least I'd like to think I have....................................................



thanks! I had 2 users with the same issue, this came in handy
No problem and thanks for visiting!
While the registry key may resolve the problem I though I would provide more details on exactly what is happening and other ways to fix the issue that do not require editing the registry.
The issue happens due to the 99 file name problem. You can not have more than 99 copies of the same file name in the folder. After it hits the 99th one it will no longer display that image anymore, ie image001 (99).jpg. This will usually happen with emails sent frequently with the same image in them. By going to the location specified in the SecureTempFolder registry key and deleting the contents everything will work again until an image with the same name hits 99 copies.
This is also a hidden file that is not viewable when logged in with the profile your trying to correct. To see the folder, type it into the address bar and it will become visible.
By creating a script that automatically purges this location you can control the problem. Otherwise it will keep reoccuring for users who view messages with the same images in them repeatedly.
The reason deleting the registry key works is because it creates a new folder the next time you login to Outlook which is empty so there is no image filename issue.
Excellent. It’s kind of weird that I came across this. My fiancee was having this problem last week and I finally gave up on it. I’ll fix it right up for her.
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooo………… MUCH
It was very very very very very very helpful and good sulotion
also the reason and description is verrrrrrrrrrrrry good
Thanks alot
Gee. I ran ino this problem too, but where others seem to have resolved the issue, in my case there is still a red X….
I emptied the temp internet folder, the temp OLK… folder, removed the registry key, still no cigar…
Does anyone have another option?
it works 04/01/08
I can’t even find that registry key and I still get the red x’s. Not always Wooohoooo.
That is a great fix!
Thank you very much
For people like myself whom cannot access regedit unless logged in as administrator, ntdude98’s explination is an excellent fix. This problem has been giving me the shits for about a month now
Thanks mate!
dude. that was like finally finding dental floss after 4 nights of camping! thanks for the awesome fix. why the heck can’t microsoft post that?!?
It did not fixed it
still getting the red x.
Thanks a lot!! It worked perfectly!!
No Problem Santi
Thanks, worked for me!!!
Thank you very much. You are the best man.
[…] being able to see embedded images in outlook 2003. I logged onto his screen and noticed a red x …http://theofficecubicle.com/2008/02/01/outlook-2003-red-x-where-embedded-image-should-be-in-email/Tutorials-Win.com >> Outlook Gen >> Red X box in blank picture area …OL2007 on Exchange […]
This is amazing….I’ve tried so many things and this worked!!!
thank you
Thanks for much for this fix.
This is a great, Thank you very much. Its really helped me lot.
Hello. I hope that someone can help me. I have the same problem, and it is very work-related, but I can´t navigate to the described HKEY. How do I do that? Thanks in advance.
Enemærke –
the instructions are a bit vague. You have to do “Start->Run->type regedit->click Ok” instead.
Other than that, if you are getting the registry editor open and you’re running in a secure environment, you might not see the key because you don’t have the proper permissions. See your n/w admin for help.
I could not navigate to the registry key. I am using windows XP professional