How to Send a Hyperlink to Network Drive Path Safely in New Outlook

Modified on Tue, 14 Apr at 3:21 PM

Why OWA blocks file:// links

Modern browsers (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Chrome) intentionally block navigation from web pages to local or network file paths such as "file://…". This is a security safeguard designed to prevent exploits and reduce exposure to phishing or malicious links. Because OWA runs in the browser, it inherits these same protections and does not allow file:// links to open from email.

Is there a workaround?

There is no supported method to enable file:// links in OWA. Microsoft does not provide an option to override this behavior because:

Allowing file:// navigation from a web page would increase users’ risk of phishing and malicious link attacks.
Browsers do not provide a secure, controllable prompt to grant local file access from a web page.

Recommended alternatives

To ensure recipients can reliably access referenced files, please consider one of the following supported options:

Use SharePoint or OneDrive (recommended)
- Upload the file to a shared location and include the https:// sharing link in your message.
- Benefits: works in OWA, desktop Outlook, and mobile; supports permissions, versioning, and co‑authoring.
Attach the file to the email
- If the file is small and not frequently updated, attaching it avoids link issues entirely.
- Note: Email size limits and attachment policies still apply.
Provide a UNC path as plain text
- Include the path in the body of the email so recipients can copy and paste it into File Explorer.
- Example: \Server\Share\Folder\File.docx
- This is useful inside your corporate network where users have access to the share.
Use Outlook desktop when local links are unavoidable
- If you must reference a local or network path, advise recipients to open the message in Outlook for Windows/Mac (desktop client).
- In the desktop client, users may see a confirmation prompt before opening a local path (subject to your organization’s security settings and policies).