Description
The Shield heads-up display (HUD) relies on image rendering, which behaves differently across Outlook clients.
Only Classic Outlook for Desktop supports automatic image downloading without requiring the sender to be marked as trusted. In this version, the Shield HUD displays immediately as an image. In newer Outlook clients, users may need to trust the sender or manually allow images for the Shield HUD to appear visually rather than as text.
Automatically Download the HUD
Outlook Desktop App (Classic)
This is the only client that supports true automatic image downloading.
Go to File > Options > Trust Center
Click Trust Center Settings
Select Automatic Download
Uncheck:
“Don’t download pictures automatically in HTML e-mail messages or RSS items”
or
Check:“Allow automatic download of pictures in HTML e-mail messages”
Click OK
✅ Result: The Shield HUD displays automatically as an image.
Restricted Image Downloading of the HUD
New Outlook for Windows (Web & Desktop App)
Automatic image downloads are more restricted.
Click the Settings (gear) icon
Go to General > Privacy and data
Under External images, choose one of the following:
Always use the Outlook service to load images (recommended for security)
Load images from contacts or safe senders (if available)
Click Save
⚠️ Result: If the sender isn’t trusted, the Shield HUD may still require “Show blocked content.”
Outlook on the Web (outlook.com aka OWA)
Image handling mirrors New Outlook behavior.
Click the Settings (gear) icon
Go to General > Privacy and data
Under External images, select your preferred option
(for example, Always use the Outlook service)Save your changes
Outlook for Mac
From the Outlook menu, select Settings > Reading
Under Download external images, choose:
Always
My contacts / organization / safe senders
Ask before downloading
Related to
Updated