2.5.10.8.3.1 Ensure 'Read e-mail as plain text' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

This policy setting determines whether Outlook renders all e-mail messages in plain text format for reading. Outlook can display e-mail messages and other items in three formats: plain text, Rich Text Format (RTF), and HTML. If this policy is enabled, the 'Read all standard mail in plain text' check box option is selected in the 'E-mail Security' section of the Trust Center and users cannot change it.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

This option only changes the way e-mail messages are displayed; the original message is not converted to plain text format.

Impact:

Enabling this setting forces Outlook to display all messages in plain text, which could cause disruptions for users who receive messages in HTML or RTF formats. Inline graphics in the messages will not display, and the text of formatted messages might become distorted or illegible.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled:

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Outlook 2016\Outlook Options\Preferences\E-mail Options\Read e-mail as plain text

Default Value:

Disabled. (Outlook displays e-mail messages in the format received.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/12129

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6b.

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 99763ed68062d6e1b503398a533b9db6d3a66f774e301543816f02a197b32868