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Mysterious "nsmail-1.docx" files appear when I try to attach a Word file to an email.

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  • Last reply by Matt

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I needed to add a Word document as an attachment to an email. While in the email, I clicked "Attach." The screen with Word docs opened. I clicked the filename I wanted to attach. It attached to the email. However, the attachment no longer had the original name I'd given it. Instead it was named "nsmail-1.docx, then nsmail-2.docx, then nsmail-3.docx, etc. When I clicked on this mysterious file, it was in fact my correct document. Why did this happen and how can I prevent it from happening again?"

I needed to add a Word document as an attachment to an email. While in the email, I clicked "Attach." The screen with Word docs opened. I clicked the filename I wanted to attach. It attached to the email. However, the attachment no longer had the original name I'd given it. Instead it was named "nsmail-1.docx, then nsmail-2.docx, then nsmail-3.docx, etc. When I clicked on this mysterious file, it was in fact my correct document. Why did this happen and how can I prevent it from happening again?"

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You might best ask that question of the vendor of your antivirus product. nsmail files are a normal part of the attachment process as the file need to be converted from binary to text for inclusion in the email.

The loss of name however generally occurs when the antivirus product get involved in the act.