XP, Can't attach photos to Microsoft Outlook from "My Pictures"

I am sure this must be simple!...I have XP Home, I am using Microsoft Outlook as my default email client. When I go into "My Pictures" and select a group of photo's to email, I then click on the left sided tool bar and press "Email this file", it then gives me the option to compress the size for email which is what I need as they are about 1MB each. But when it goes to attach the photo's it tries to open "hotmail" by opening the internet. I have tried everthing to resolve this. It's no good trying to attach them from Microsoft Outlook as it does not give me the option of resizing them. I have checked internet options and outlook is definately my default client. I also uninstalled MSN Explorer think it might have had something to do with it? I hope this makes sense. PLEASE HELP!!

 

Have you tried just attaching a text file to see if that would send?
Might even try Outlook Express. Kinda find out where the problem is for sure that way..

 

Del, Thanks for your reply. I have tried making outlook express my default email client and still when I try and attach a file (using the 'Email this File' function). This includes any file, word, excel, mp3 - anything.

I have even tried selecting several and right clicking the mouse and Send to - Mail Recipient but it still opens up IE and ties to log onto hotmail.

I then added "Microsoft Outlook" in my Send to list (when you right click with the mouse) but it only attaches one file to the blank email and doesn't give me the resize option which i need?