Programmatic Access in OutlookWe had a customer log a call today as they where using an application which sends an invoice email message to their customers. The application did this through Outlook however for each email they sent out they got the following warning message about Programmatic Access in Outlook:

A program is trying to send an e-mail message on your behalf. If this is unexpected, click Deny and verify your antivirus software is up-to-date.

They wanted this turned off but when I went to Programmatic Access in Outlook by going into Tools, Trust Center (Outlook 2007) or File, Options, Trust Center (Outlook 2010 and up) and then into the Programmatic Access section I noticed that it was greyed out and therefore it appeared that it could not be turned off.

After a bit of research I found that you can indeed turn off Programmatic Access in Outlook with the work around below but be warned that this reduces the security level in Outlook and could leave you at risk so we recommend that you use up-to-date antivirus software.

To disable Programmatic Access in Outlook you need to do the following;

  • Bring up the start menu and type Outlook
  • Right click on the Outlook icon and choose run as administrator
  • After Outlook loads, go to Tools, Trust Center (Outlook 2007) or File, Options, Trust Center (Outlook 2010 and up) and you will now be able to change the Programmatic Access setting.

Further information about Programmatic Access in Outlook can be found here