Links not clickable in Outlook Express

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How do I make links clickable to open in Outlook Express? As of now I have to highlight them and copy into my browser. This is very cumbersome and sometimes the links are just too long. Why is Outlook Express now showing links in email?
Brad

Outlook Express can download email messages in either plain text or HTML format – the latter is the default. Any embedded links in an email message are because of HTML. Thus, if Outlook Express does not show clickable links in email and instead gives URL as plain text, you have to change the settings to ensure that messages are downloaded in HTML format.

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Way back in the old days, people would turn off the option to receive email in HTML format fearing attacks by viruses and worms. Outlook Express was notorious for being full of security holes that hackers would exploit ruthlessly. Since this email program was tightly integrated with the browser, it put the entire functioning of the operating system in jeopardy.

Get the clickable links in your email messages

To turn on the option of receiving email in HTML format, click “Tools” from the top menu and select “Options“. Now move to the “Read” tab. Uncheck the box in front of “Read all messages in plain text“- refer image; click “Apply” and “OK” for the changes to take effect.

Get links in email in Outlook Express by choosing to receive messages in HTML format

You may also like to fiddle with some of the settings under the “Security” tab. I’ve also learnt that, at the time of composing the message, if the protocol (http://) was mentioned in front of the URL, then Outlook Express will make the link clickable. Thus, http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com will be an active link and not www.webdevelopersnotes.com. Furthermore, the format in which the email is sent also makes a difference.

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