FIX: Email Attachments Blocked for Security Reasons [Gmail] (2024)

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A Blocked for security reasonserror message appears when Gmail users try to attach certain file formats to their emails. Then the users need to find another way to send the files.

Gmail blocks numerous file types primarily to stop virus attachments. Users can’t attach EXE, DLL, DMG, VB, CMD, BAT, JAR, VBS, JSE, PIF, VDX, JSE, APK, INS, SCT, and MSI among other formats.

Also, one can’t attach programs, scripts, software installers, and batch files to Gmail emails.

On the other hand, Gmail doesn’t block clean ZIP and RAR archive formats. This is why some Gmail users are surprised when getting a Blocked for security reasons message for such files.

However, you can’t attach RAR and ZIP archives to emails if they include file types and formats Gmail blocks.

As such, archiving EXE and other files that Gmail blocks does not enable you to attach them to emails.

What to do ifGmail is blocking ZIP files/RAR archives?

1. Try out the WinZip compression software
2. Edit the file extensions included within the RAR archive
3. Send the RAR as a Google Drive link
4. Consider using a different email client

1. Try out compression software

WinZip can prove very helpful if you are looking for a smooth way to solve blocked RAR email attachment issues.

The actual compression can be done quickly using this tool, yet don’t you imagine that all that WinZip does is zip and unzip files?

It’s also your all-in-one solution for securing and sharing files. Therefore, when other similar tools fail at completing the process of sending RAR email attachments, WinZip excels at this chapter.

It simply reminds you that working with archives is convenient and will make the transfer process a lot easier when RAR archives are involved.

2. Edit the file extensions included within the RAR archive

1. First, press the File Explorer button on Windows 10’s taskbar.
2. Select the View tab shown directly below.
3. Select the File name extensions checkbox on that tab.
4. Open the folder where you’ve saved the files you need to include in your RAR archive.
5. To change a file’s format, right-click it, and select Rename.
6. Then, change the extension at the end of the file to an alternative format, and press the Enter key (eg. change an EXE to a PNG).
7. A Rename dialog box will open when you press the Return key. Select the Yes button to provide further confirmation.
8. Change the formats of all the files in the RAR archive to acceptable ones.
9. Finally, simply set up your RAR archive with the files you modified.

Changing the files included within the RAR archive to formats that Gmail doesn’t block is a quick workaround to take into consideration.

You can set up a new RAR archive with the modified file formats and attach it to an email, as described above.

Do keep in mind that the recipient will need to restore the files included within the RAR archive to their original formats.

3. Send the RAR as a Google Drive link

1. First, open your Google Drive storage in a browser.
2. Click the My Drive button to open the menu.
3. Select Upload files to open the Open window.
4. Then select your RAR file to save in Google Drive, and click the Open button.
5. Right-click the RAR you saved in Google Drive and select Share to open the window below.
6. Click the Get sharable link to turn on link sharing.
7. Then, you can also copy a link URL (with the Ctrl + C hotkey) to include in the email.
8. Press the Done button.
9. Open Gmail in your browser.
10. Click the Compose button to open Gmail’s email text editor.
11. Press the Insert files using Drive button.
12. Select the RAR file you saved in Google Drive.
13. Select the Drive link option if it’s now already selected.
14. Click the Insert button.
15. Then you can send the email with a Google Drive link for the RAR. The recipient can select to download the file from the URL.

Alternatively, you can send a RAR file that Gmail would otherwise block by inserting it from Google Drive.

This means you need to save the RAR in your GD storage. Then you can select to insert files from GD in Gmail.

One last note, you could also save the RAR to a file host, and then send a URL for the file to the recipient. This software guide provides further details for the best file-sharingapplications.

So that’s how you can send a RAR file, and any other file, that Gmail usually blocks via email.

For getting a wider perspective on the topic, do not hesitate to take a look at our Email Hub.

Have you used any of these methods? Feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below and share your experience with us.

Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.