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Entourage "Remove All Attachments" Bug

Background:
When configured to access the central UConn Exchange server via either an IMAP or Exchange type configuration, Entourage downloads and displays local, cached versions of e-mail messages located on the server. Generally this works great in allowing one to move, delete, or copy messages within the mail folder hierarchy.

The Problem:
A limitation of Entourage's Remove All Attachments command is that it appears to remove attachments from local messages only. The result is that while it may appear that attachments have been correctly removed from the Exchange side (and quota space saved), in fact, only the local/cached copies of the messages have had their attachments removed - messages on the server still retain attachments and subsequently continue to use up server-side quota space. Clearly this can prove quite confusing when attempting to manage quota space by stripping out attachments from Exchange mail messages.

The Solution:
There are a couple workarounds to this issue, neither is simple. See below.

 

The Problem:
The Remove All Attachments command is found within the Message menu of Entourage. Deceptively, this command removes attachments from your local/cached copies of e-mail messages only - server-side attachments to messages are still present, still eating up valuable quota space.

 
picture of Entourage selecting the 'Remove All Attachemnts' command of the 'Message' menu
   

Workaround #1: Copy, Remove, Upload

  • Drag the IMAP message to a local folder (like the Inbox) "On My Computer".
  • Delete the original IMAP message.
  • On the local copy "On My Computer" remove the attachment.
  • Drag the local copy, sans-attachment, back up to the IMAP INBOX (or other IMAP folder).
  • Delete the local copy.
  picture demonstrating the moving a message from a remote message list to the local Inbox under the '
   

Workaround #2: Use Apple Mail
A bit ironic, but it seems Apple’s Mail program handles the removal of attachments just fine. If you're more comfortable using Entourage, you can always configure a temporary connection to your Exchange account, use Apple Mail to remove offending attachments, then go back to Entourage for day-day activities. For instructions on configuring Apple Mail for UConn's central Exchange server, see the Macintosh Users section of the UConn Exchange site.

  picture of Apple Mail's 'Message' menu opened and selecting the 'Remove Attachments' command

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Updated: 9/18/2006