OutlookAttachView

What is OutlookAttachView?

OutlookAttachView is a utility from NirSoft that scans Microsoft Outlook PST/OST files and displays a comprehensive list of all email attachments with detailed information including filename, size, sender, date, and attachment type. The software enables users to search, filter, and extract attachments from Outlook data files without opening Outlook itself, making it valuable for recovering attachments, auditing email archives, or extracting files from old or inaccessible Outlook profiles. For anyone who needs to locate specific attachments across years of email or extract files from Outlook backups, OutlookAttachView provides efficient access.

The application reads Outlook data files directly (PST for personal folders, OST for offline/cached exchange folders), extracting attachment metadata and enabling bulk operations. Users can filter results by date range, attachment type, size, sender, or filename to locate specific files among potentially thousands of attachments. Once found, attachments can be saved to disk individually or in bulk, providing a practical method for extracting files without manually opening each email in Outlook.

OutlookAttachView operates as a standalone portable utility—no installation required, and it runs independently from Outlook (though Outlook must be installed on the system for its libraries). The tool is particularly valuable for forensic examination of email archives, migrating attachments during email system transitions, recovering files from corrupted Outlook profiles where Outlook itself may not open reliably, and auditing attachment content for compliance or cleanup purposes.

Key Features

• PST/OST Support: Scan both personal folder files and offline Exchange folders.
• Attachment Listing: View all attachments with detailed metadata in sortable list.
• Search and Filter: Find attachments by name, type, size, date, or sender.
• Bulk Extract: Save multiple attachments to disk with single operation.
• Date Range Filter: Limit scan to specific date periods.
• Size Filter: Find attachments above or below specified sizes.
• Type Filter: Filter by file extension (PDF, DOC, ZIP, etc.).
• Sender Filter: View attachments from specific senders only.
• Export List: Save attachment list to CSV, HTML, or XML for reporting.
• Portable: No installation required, runs from any location.
• Command Line: Scriptable operation for automation.
• Direct File Access: Reads PST/OST without opening Outlook.
• Free Software: No cost for full functionality.

Practical Use Cases

• Find Large Attachments: Locate biggest attachments for mailbox cleanup.
• Recover Files: Extract attachments from old or inaccessible PST files.
• Audit Compliance: Review attachment types for policy compliance.
• Migration Assistance: Extract attachments before email system migration.
• Forensic Analysis: Examine email attachments for investigations.
• Backup Verification: Confirm specific attachments exist in backups.
• Space Analysis: Understand attachment contribution to mailbox size.

System Requirements

Requirements

• Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11
• Microsoft Outlook installed (any version 2000-2021)
• Access to PST/OST files to scan
• No installation required (portable executable)

Important Notes

• Requires same Outlook bitness (32-bit OutlookAttachView for 32-bit Outlook)
• PST files can be scanned even if not connected to Outlook profile
• Password-protected PST files require password for access

How to Use OutlookAttachView

1. Download: Get OutlookAttachView from NirSoft website.
2. Extract: Unzip to any folder (no installation needed).
3. Launch: Run OutlookAttachView.exe.
4. Select Source: Choose profile or specify PST file path.
5. Set Filters: Optionally filter by date, size, type, or sender.
6. Scan: Click OK to scan and list all matching attachments.
7. Browse Results: Sort and review attachments in list view.
8. Select Attachments: Highlight attachments to extract.
9. Save Files: Right-click and save selected attachments to disk.
10. Export Report: Save attachment list to CSV for documentation.

OutlookAttachView vs Alternatives

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive View: See all attachments across entire mailbox at once.
• Powerful Filtering: Find specific attachments quickly with multiple filter options.
• Bulk Extraction: Save many attachments with single operation.
• Portable: No installation required, run from USB.
• Free: Full functionality without payment.
• Report Export: Document findings in CSV, HTML, or XML.
• Works Offline: Read PST files without Outlook running.
• NirSoft Quality: From trusted developer of many Windows utilities.

Cons

• Outlook Required: Needs Outlook installed for MAPI libraries.
• Windows Only: No macOS or Linux versions.
• PST/OST Only: Doesn’t work with webmail or Exchange directly.
• Bitness Match: Must match Outlook 32/64-bit version.
• No Preview: Can’t preview attachments within application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use OutlookAttachView without Outlook installed?

No, OutlookAttachView requires Outlook’s MAPI libraries to read PST/OST files. Outlook must be installed, though it doesn’t need to be running during scanning. For systems without Outlook, third-party PST viewer tools that include their own reading libraries are needed.

Will this work with my company’s Exchange mailbox?

OutlookAttachView reads local PST files and OST (cached Exchange) files. If your Exchange mailbox has an associated OST file on your computer, you can scan it. It cannot connect directly to Exchange servers—only local files. Your Outlook profile settings determine which files are available.

Can I delete attachments from emails using this tool?

No, OutlookAttachView is read-only—it extracts copies of attachments but doesn’t modify the original PST/OST files. To delete attachments from emails, use Outlook directly or specialized PST editing tools. This read-only approach ensures you can’t accidentally damage your email archives.

Final Verdict

OutlookAttachView provides exactly the functionality its name suggests—efficient viewing and extraction of Outlook attachments—through NirSoft’s characteristically straightforward, portable approach. For users needing to locate specific attachments across large mailboxes, extract files from backup PST files, or audit attachment content, the tool delivers practical capability that Outlook’s built-in search can’t match. The combination of powerful filtering, bulk extraction, and report export makes it valuable for both individual users and IT professionals managing Outlook data.

The requirement for Outlook installation limits usefulness on systems without Microsoft’s email client, and the read-only nature means it’s for extraction only, not management. Within those constraints, OutlookAttachView excels at its focused purpose. For anyone regularly working with PST files or needing to recover attachments from Outlook archives, this free, portable utility from NirSoft deserves a place in the toolkit.