Sending Mail attachments to windows users

When sending Mail attachments (Jpegs) to windows PCs they arrive embedded in the message body, not as an attachment that can be saved. Can I, or the recipient, do anything to rectify this?

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Jun 14, 2011 8:57 AM

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9 replies

Jun 14, 2011 9:03 AM in response to RogerClark

I'm a graphic designer and I need to send images to clients all the time. It is very frustrating when clients phone back and ask me to 'attach, don't embed' the image (it IS attached on my Mac). I'd love to know the solution.


The only route I've found for reliably sending an image (esp. JPEG) to a non-Mac user is to put it into a ZIP archive. Select the image(s) in the finder, then use the 'Compress' command (under the FILE menu). For example, if you have 3 items selected, the menu command will say 'compress 3 items'. It will result in a .zip archive. Send that archive to the Windows user...they'll be able to expand it and will get the three JPEGs without them being 'embedded' in the message.

Aug 7, 2012 9:07 AM in response to happyjunk

@happyjunk and others:

Regarding Zipping files to send to Windows users

I'm a Mac user (OS 10.6.8); Mac Pro.
Using the "Compress" feature in the File pulldown (main menu) is NOT the best solution for sending a Zipped file to a Windows machine. Doing so will result in the inclusion of specifically-Mac files that are extraneous (and confusing) to the Windows user, when he/she unZips the Zip file. Then, they reply to you and ask, "What are all these additional files?"


I highly recommend getting the app ZipFiles4PC. It solves the above problem.
Current version (at 8/7/2012) = 2.0.5


Here is info and purchase link ($14.00) on the developer's site: http://gotoes.org/sales/Zip_Mac_Files_For_PC/

The info explains how it rids the Zipped file of the extraneous (to PC users) Mac files.


You can also purchase ZipFiles4PC (same price) at MacUpdate: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/29404/zip-mac-files-for-pc/

and at the Mac App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zip-files-4-pc/id413932072?mt=12


ZipFiles4PC is very easy to use. Just open up the app, and drag into its window the files you want to compress/Zip. It's that easy.


I've been using ZipFiles4PC for a year, and have had no more complaints or confusion from Windows users I send Zipped files to.

—David

Jun 14, 2011 8:59 AM in response to RogerClark

From Mail Help:

If Windows users have trouble with your attachments

Windows users might not be able to read attachments you send, the messages they’re attached to, or both; or they might see two files when you’ve sent only one.

Try these solutions:

  • Choose Edit > Attachments > Always Send Windows Friendly Attachments.

  • Choose Edit > Attachments > “Always Insert Attachments at End of Message” to automatically have attachments inserted at the end of a message. Otherwise, some Windows recipients might not easily see all of your message because parts of it are put into attachments, which they have to open to read.

  • Use filename extensions, such as .doc for a Microsoft Word document, in the names of files you send to Windows recipients. This way, the files can be read by a Windows application.

  • If you send a file (for example, “MyFile”) to someone who uses a Windows computer, the recipient might see two files: “MyFile” and “._MyFile.” The recipient can ignore the file named “._MyFile.”

If you have a New Message window open, the Edit > Attachments commands don’t contain “Always” and they apply only to the message you’re currently composing.

If you haven’t set the default, click Attach in the toolbar of the New Message window and select the Send Windows Friendly Attachments checkbox.

Jun 14, 2011 12:43 PM in response to RogerClark

I believe at least part of the problem is the email client (and possibly even the ISP) your recipient(s) is/are using; you, your Mac, and Mail have absolutely no control over how the email client receiving the message is configured (either by default or by personal preference). Sending from a Mac to a PC may be part of the problem, but I've encountered it sending from Mac to Mac - and it was either the recipient's settings or their ISP and how they handle attachments.


As an example, I also have a Yahoo account and Yahoo insists on having me download any attachment - although it shows as an attachment, I cannot view it within my Yahoo mailbox. I have to download it and, since I use that account mostly for junk, wind up having to drag it to the trash. I have absolutely no choice there.

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Sending Mail attachments to windows users

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