# How do you attach/detach a file to/from AOL e-mail? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 27, 2001, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-attach-detach-a-file-to-from-aol-e-mail/78333 "2001-08-27T15:37:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2001, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-attach-detach-a-file-to-from-aol-e-mail/78333/1 "2001-08-27T15:37:43Z")
Here’s the situation: My mom needs to attach a file from one computer to an AOL e-mail, then receive and detach it onto another computer. I don’t have AOL. If I were in the house, I’m sure I could figure it out fairly quickly. But I’m in NYC and my mom’s in Philly, and she’s just starting to learn how to use her computer. So–to anyone who has AOL–could you give me step-by-step instructions on how to attach a file to an e-mail and then how to detach it on the receiving end? (So that I can forward these instructions to my mom.) BTW–she’s using Macs. I don’t know waht, if any, diff. there is between the two platforms where AOL is concerned. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2001, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-attach-detach-a-file-to-from-aol-e-mail/78333/2 "2001-08-27T15:40:52Z")
Found some instructions on-line. Are these still accurate, or out-of-date? [http://www.sightsea.com/pghpchd/aolattach.html](http://www.sightsea.com/pghpchd/aolattach.html) > [@](#): > > AOL: Attached Files: Attach and Download > > To attach an image file or document to E-Mail: > > 1. Open a blank E-Mail. > 2. Select the “attachments” button at the bottom of the E-Mail. > 3. Select the “attach” button once again in the next window. > 4. In the next window browse to the place within your machine where the intended file is located. > 5. Once you find the file you want to attach tap it once and then select the “open” button. > 6. Now select “OK” and address the E-Mail, fill in the subject line and body if you choose. > That’s it! It’s ready to send with the file attached. > > To download a file that is attached to E-Mail: > > 1. Open the E-Mail when you’re on line > 2. Select the “download” button at the bottom of the E-Mail > 3. You’re now offered a place to save the file ( C:\AOL4.0\download is the default ) > 4. Select “Save” and wait until the file transfer is complete. > That’s it! ---
**Author:** ![SteverinoAlaReno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@SteverinoAlaReno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteverinoAlaReno)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-attach-detach-a-file-to-from-aol-e-mail/78333/3 "2001-08-27T17:53:30Z")
Those instructions are current enough, toad. The “attach files” button has moved, but it’s reasonably easy to find on the email form. Other than that, the instructions are the same. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2001, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-attach-detach-a-file-to-from-aol-e-mail/78333/4 "2001-08-27T18:33:39Z")
Just a note if you send/rec multiple files AOL will convert it into a single zip file which can be confusing to newbes. If that is the case it might be better to send 1 file per email. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2001, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-attach-detach-a-file-to-from-aol-e-mail/78333/5 "2001-08-27T19:17:08Z")
Thanks, folks.