How to Send Large Files via Outlook - All Methods Explained

Outlook is one of the most popular email programs for both work and personal use. But it has a 20 MB attachment limit. That is not very much. A single photo from a modern phone can be 10–15 MB, and a short video can be several hundred megabytes.

If you need to send a large file via Outlook, this guide covers every method - from the simple to the technical.

Why Outlook Limits File Sizes

Outlook (and most email providers) set attachment limits to protect their mail servers from getting overloaded. Sending large files through email was never really meant to happen - email was designed for text, not heavy files.

Microsoft sets the attachment limit in Outlook at 20 MB for most users. Some company email systems may have even lower limits set by the IT department.

Method 1: Use FileSendZone (Easiest - No Size Limit)

The simplest way to send large files via Outlook is to use FileSendZone to create a share link, then paste that link into your Outlook email.

Why this works:

• No file size limit at all
• No sign-up required
• Your file is never stored on a server
• Works with any version of Outlook

Step-by-Step:

1. Open FileSendZone.com in your browser
2. Click “Add Files” and select the large file you want to send
3. Copy the share link that appears
4. Open Outlook and start a new email
5. Paste the link into the body of the email
6. Send the email as normal

The person receives your Outlook email. They click the link. The file downloads directly to their device. Done.

Method 2: Use OneDrive (Microsoft’s Built-In Option)

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service. If you use Outlook through a Microsoft account, you can attach OneDrive files to emails.

How to attach a OneDrive file in Outlook:

1. Click the attachment paperclip icon in a new email
2. Choose “OneDrive” (or “Browse cloud locations”)
3. Upload or select your file
4. Outlook inserts a share link to the file

Downside: You need a Microsoft account and OneDrive storage. Free OneDrive gives you 5 GB. Large files may require paid Microsoft 365 storage. The file gets stored on Microsoft’s servers.

Method 3: Use Google Drive

Even in Outlook, you can paste a Google Drive link into the email body.

1. Upload your file to Google Drive
2. Copy the share link
3. Paste it into your Outlook email

Downside: Requires a Google account. Files are stored on Google’s servers.

Method 4: ZIP and Split the File

If your file is just barely over the limit, you can try compressing it:

1. Right-click your file
2. Choose “Send to > Compressed folder” (Windows) or “Compress” (Mac)
3. If the ZIP is still too big, use a tool like 7-Zip to split it into smaller parts

Downside: This is complicated. The person receiving needs to reassemble the parts. Not recommended for large files - use FileSendZone instead.

Which Method Is Best?

Method	Size Limit	Sign-Up	File Stored?	Free
FileSendZone	No limit	No	No	Yes
OneDrive	5 GB free	Yes (Microsoft)	Yes	Mostly
Google Drive	15 GB free	Yes (Google)	Yes	Mostly
ZIP + Split	Depends	No	No	Yes

For sending large files via Outlook without any hassle, FileSendZone is the best and easiest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Outlook’s email attachment size limit? Outlook has a 20 MB limit for email attachments. Some company email systems may have lower limits set by the IT administrator.

How do I send a file larger than 20 MB in Outlook? Use FileSendZone to create a share link for your file, then paste the link into your Outlook email. There is no size limit this way.

Can I send large files in Outlook without OneDrive? Yes. Use FileSendZone. Go to FileSendZone.com, add your file, copy the link, and paste it in your Outlook email. No OneDrive account needed.

How do I send a large video in Outlook? Videos that are too large for direct attachment can be shared as a link. Use FileSendZone to create a link for your video, then paste it in your Outlook email.

Does the recipient need to sign up to download the file? No. They just click the FileSendZone link in your email and the file downloads. No account or app needed.