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Outlook Add-In

The Files.com Outlook Add-In sends local files as Share Links from Classic Outlook for Windows. It uploads the files to Files.com and creates a Snapshot Share Link, so the file contents do not travel as email attachments. Recipients download the files in their browser, subject to the link's access controls and expiration.

The add-in is included with the Files.com Desktop App for Windows. It supports Classic Outlook for Windows; it does not support the new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, or Outlook for Mac.

When to Use the Outlook Add-In

Use the add-in when you regularly send files by email and need Files.com's sharing controls, or when the files exceed your mail system's attachment limits. It keeps the file data out of the recipients' mailboxes and lets you expire or revoke further access to the download link.

Site sharing policies govern the links the add-in creates. Using the Add-In explains how passwords, recipient restrictions, and required registration affect delivery. When your site enforces access control for all Share Links, Files.com emails each recipient a separate invitation after you send the Outlook message.

Share Link activity records access. The available visitor identity depends on the link's registration and access-control settings. Revoking a link prevents further access through that link; it does not remove copies a recipient already downloaded.

Installation

The add-in installs automatically with the Windows Desktop App. Once the Desktop App is installed and signed in, Files.com buttons appear in Classic Outlook's standalone compose window. Restart Outlook after installing or updating the Desktop App if the buttons are missing, because Outlook loads COM add-ins at startup.

Prerequisites

The Desktop App must be running and signed in to at least one site. The user needs sharing permission on at least one folder. Site Administrators, Workspace Administrators, and Folder Administrators already meet that requirement; other users need an explicit sharing grant.

Share Links and Snapshot Share Links must both be enabled on the site. They are enabled by default. If an administrator disables either, the add-in cannot create its links.

The add-in always creates a Snapshot Share Link. It captures the files when the link is created, so later changes to the originals do not change what the recipient downloads. Use the web interface to create a Live Share Link when recipients need to see subsequent changes to a file.

In Outlook, Attach with Files.com selects local files and Convert to Share Link replaces eligible attachments already in the compose window. Using the Add-In covers both actions, delivery behavior, and troubleshooting.