You can attach any file to an e-mail with AOL or AIM Mail. You can
send a total of 16 megabytes of attachments per e-mail, either as
a single file or as a group of up to 8 smaller files.
Note: The recipient must have software
that is compatible with your files in order to open them. For
example, if you send someone a WordPerfect® file, your
recipient must have either the WordPerfect software or a word
processing program capable of opening WordPerfect files. Also make
sure the file is compatible with your recipient's computer; aMacintosh® machine may not be able to read some Windows®
files, and vice versa.
Download and Open Attachments on
AOL or AIM Mail
When you receive an e-mail with an attachment on AOL or AIM Mail,
you can open the attachment from the New
Mail or Inbox window, or you can
save the file on your computer. E-mails that contain attachments
are noted by a paper clip icon to the left of the e-mail.
Note: File attachments may contain
viruses the may cause your computer to run incorrectly or send out
your password so that someone else can access your account. The
files may be presented as a picture, a game, or an electronic
greeting. The best policy to keep your computer safe is to never
open or download any attachment unless it is an expected file from
someone you know, and to install and use software that helps to
protect your computer from viruses and other online threats.
FAQs
Attach a File to Your E-mail
Attach Multiple Files to Your E-mail
Download an Attachment
Open an Attachment
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Attach a File to Your E-mail
If you attach a single file to your e-mail, it will not be
compressed automatically. The recipient will not need any special
decompression software to use the file.
To attach a file to your e-mail:
1. In the AOL Write Mail or AIM Compose window, next to Attachments:, click the Choose
File button.
2. Navigate to the folder that contains the file you want to
attach.
3. Double-click the file you want to attach.
4. Address and write your e-mail, ensure the file being sent is
not open, then click the Send button.
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Attach Multiple Files to Your E-mail
If you attach multiple files, they will be zipped (compressed)
into a single file by the AOL® or AIM® Mail service
before they are sent out. The recipient of your e-mail will need
to unzip the files after downloading them. If the recipient is
signed on to the AOL® or CompuServe® software, the files
will be unzipped automatically after sign off or upon download. If
the recipient of your mail uses a different Internet Service
Provider (ISP), they may need special software to unzip or
decompress the files before viewing or using them.
To attach multiple files to your e-mail:
1. In the AOL Write Mail or AIM Compose window, next to Attachments:, click the Choose
File button.
2. Navigate to the folder that contains one of the files you want
to attach.
3. Double-click the file you want to attach.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each file you want to attach.
Note: To detach files, click theX next to the file you wish to remove.
5. Address and write your e-mail, ensure the files being sent are
not open, then click the Send button.
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Download an Attachment
You can download an attached file to your computer if you want to
keep the attachment or view it outside of the AOL® or
AIM® Mail window.
To download an attachment:
1. Open the e-mail with the attachment.
2. Next to Attachments:, click the name of
the attachment.
3. Click the Save button.
4. Navigate to the folder in which you want to save the file.
5. If you want to rename the file, in the File
name: box, type the new name.
6. Click the Save button.
Note: You cannot open an attachment
unless you have a program that can open it. For example, if an
attachment is a Microsoft® PowerPoint® file, you must
have PowerPoint software installed on your computer to open and
view the file.
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Open an Attachment
When you receive a message with an attachment, you can open the
attachment from the New Mail orInbox window. You will need to download
the file if you want to open it outside of AOL or AIM Mail.
To open an attachment:
1. Open the e-mail with the attachment.
2. Next to Attachments:, click the name of
the attachment.
3. Click the Open button.
Note: You cannot open an attachment
unless you have a program that can open it. For example, if an
attachment is a Microsoft PowerPoint file, you must have
PowerPoint software installed on your computer to open and view
the file.
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