A method for archiving an electronic message sent by a sender to a recipient, the method comprising the following steps on a computer system associated with the sender: - prior to sending the electronic message to the recipient: determining whether the electronic message includes an attachment in a recognized document format when the sender attempts to send the electronic message; determining whether the electronic message includes an encumbered attachment when it is determined that the electronic message includes the attachment in a recognized document format, wherein the electronic message includes an encumbered attachment when the attachment is password-protected by a native application of the attachment; electronically prompting (210, 212, 214) the sender for a password for access to the encumbered attachment until a correct password is supplied when it is determined that the electronic message includes a password-protected encumbered attachment; disencumbering, using the password entered in response to the electronic prompting, the encumbered attachment of the electronic message to create a disencumbered attachment of the electronic message; and storing a copy of the disencumbered attachment of the electronic message in an electronic archival system, and - sending the electronic message with the encumbered attachment to the recipient when the password entered in response to the electronic prompting is determined as the correct password. - prior to sending the electronic message to the recipient: determining whether the electronic message includes an attachment in a recognized document format when the sender attempts to send the electronic message; determining whether the electronic message includes an encumbered attachment when it is determined that the electronic message includes the attachment in a recognized document format, wherein the electronic message includes an encumbered attachment when the attachment is password-protected by a native application of the attachment; electronically prompting (210, 212, 214) the sender for a password for access to the encumbered attachment until a correct password is supplied when it is determined that the electronic message includes a password-protected encumbered attachment; disencumbering, using the password entered in response to the electronic prompting, the encumbered attachment of the electronic message to create a disencumbered attachment of the electronic message; and storing a copy of the disencumbered attachment of the electronic message in an electronic archival system, and determining whether the electronic message includes an attachment in a recognized document format when the sender attempts to send the electronic message; determining whether the electronic message includes an encumbered attachment when it is determined that the electronic message includes the attachment in a recognized document format, wherein the electronic message includes an encumbered attachment when the attachment is password-protected by a native application of the attachment; electronically prompting (210, 212, 214) the sender for a password for access to the encumbered attachment until a correct password is supplied when it is determined that the electronic message includes a password-protected encumbered attachment; disencumbering, using the password entered in response to the electronic prompting, the encumbered attachment of the electronic message to create a disencumbered attachment of the electronic message; and storing a copy of the disencumbered attachment of the electronic message in an electronic archival system, and - sending the electronic message with the encumbered attachment to the recipient when the password entered in response to the electronic prompting is determined as the correct password.