Microsoft KB Archive/283220

= OLEXP: Message Size Exceeds Server Limit =

Article ID: 283220

Article Last Modified on 1/29/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 2

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This article was previously published under Q283220



For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express



SYMPTOMS
When you try to send a message with an attachment, you receive the following error message:

The message could not be sent because its size exceeded the server limit. You can use the option located in Tools/Accounts/Properties/Advanced to break the message into smaller parts.



CAUSE
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has a maximum size limit for attachments and your message exceeds that limit.

Even thought the attachment is a single page, it may still exceed the server size limit. For example, small graphic files can take up several megabytes depending on their resolution and numbers of colors.



RESOLUTION
You can set Outlook Express to break large messages into multiple parts in a Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) account. For this to work, the recipient must have an e-mail client or some other software that is capable of correctly reassembling the message. To enable the setting to break large messages:
 * 1) On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
 * 2) Click your POP3 account under the Mail tab, and then click Properties.
 * 3) Click the Advanced tab, and then set the Sending option to Break apart messages larger than  KB, where  is your ISP's attachment size limit.



WORKAROUND
You can use any of the following techniques to work around this problem without breaking the message into multiple parts:
 * Use a third-party program to zip or compress the file before you attach it to the e-mail message.
 * When you scan or create a document or graphic, try adjusting the options so that the final size of the file is smaller. Generally, fewer colors, a smaller resolution, or fewer pixels, results in a smaller file.
 * Post the picture on a Web site instead of e-mailing it. Then send the recipient the link to the site.

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB283220

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