When I use Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 5.5's File, Send, Link by E-mail command to send a shortcut to a Web page, it adds both a text link and a .url file to the mail message. I used to be able to delete the .url file and send just the text link. Now, with the E-mail Security Update in Outlook 2000, I can't delete the .url file. How can I avoid sending out these unnecessary .url files when I send Web-page links?
Figure 1, page 6, shows the annoying message that results when you use the Link by E-mail command. This message makes me think that the people in different product areas at Microsoft aren't talking to each other. If .url files are on the list of dangerous file types, then why does IE use .url files to send links, instead of just using text links?
The security update won't let you delete the .url file directly, but it has another feature that lets you avoid sending the .url file. If you forward a message containing a blocked attachment, the security update strips the file from the forwarded message. Therefore, to send just a text link, you can use this procedure:
- In IE, choose File, Send, Link by E-mail.
- Save the message, then close it.
- In the Inbox folder, right-click the message, then choose Forward.
- Send the forwarded message.
- Delete the draft of the original message from the Inbox.
Another simple option for sending a text link is to copy the Web page address from the Address box in IE into a new mail message instead of using the Link by E-mail command.
