Attachments

[mkmetz]

I use Vista and have a problem. I can open my attachments, however, when I
go back to open them again I get a message that says "command failed to
execute". Anyone have any ideas as to what might be the problem?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Did you install IE8 recently? If so, that's a known issue that is affecting
some users who installed IE8.
One workaround is to uninstall IE8, which reverts you back to IE7.
Even without uninstalling IE8 you can make it work for all but TXT and
JPG attachments by doing the following:

Right-click on the shortcut that you use to open Windows Mail.
Select Properties. In the field labeled 'Start in' change the existing
value to %UserProfile%. Click OK. Restart Windows Mail and try opening
attachments.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

WinMail: Tools | Options | Security | Block images... <=if you
disable/uncheck this option, does the behavior persist?

Have you installed IE8?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed, is your
subscription current, and is it supported in IE8? What anti-spyware
applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
Were any of these applications running in the background when you installed
IE8?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

Do you have an available Restore Point which predates the install of IE8?
<=Just asking for now!!

 

[mkmetz]

I installed IE8 about 3 weeks ago, however, the problem has just started in
the last few days.

 

[mkmetz]

Maybe I'll try the restore program, thanks.

WinMail: Tools | Options | Security | Block images... <=if you
disable/uncheck this option, does the behavior persist?

Have you installed IE8?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed, is your
subscription current, and is it supported in IE8? What anti-spyware
applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
Were any of these applications running in the background when you installed
IE8?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

Do you have an available Restore Point which predates the install of IE8?
<=Just asking for now!!

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

NO NO NO NO NO!!! I only asked if such a Restore Point was available. Is
there?

Do NOT use System Restore to uninstall an application!

How to uninstall or remove Internet Explorer 8
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700

NB: If you do not disable the applications I mentioned in my first reply
before uninstalling IE8, you may end up even worse off.

 

[Emilio2000]

Another person, named Silverhawk, came up with the correct solution (in a
different thread). It appears that an automatic update of Windows Mail
caused the link used to open Windows Mail to not work properly. Delete the
link, and then create a new one from the basic program in the Start "All
Programs" menu. Here's how Silverhawk describes it:

I noticed that if I start windows mail from
the IE8 browser, then it appears to work ok. But if I start windows mail from
the start menu, that is when I have problems. With that all said. I went to
the start menu and removed the shortcut from the start menu, then I went to
the applacation source and started the program from there, and tried it again.
And everything seems to be working fine. I then re-pinned it back into the
start menu.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Please don't post the same information multiple times.
Once is enough.

 

[lowny]

by simply removing the shortcut and opening from the programs folder the
attachments open just fine!!!!!!! thanks so much for the much needed
information !!!!

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Another person, named Silverhawk, came up with the correct solution
(in a different thread). It appears that an automatic update of
Windows Mail caused the link used to open Windows Mail to not work
properly. Delete the link, and then create a new one from the basic
program in the Start "All Programs" menu. Here's how Silverhawk
describes it:

I noticed that if I start windows mail from
the IE8 browser, then it appears to work ok. But if I start windows
mail from the start menu, that is when I have problems. With that all
said. I went to the start menu and removed the shortcut from the
start menu, then I went to the applacation source and started the
program from there, and tried it again. And everything seems to be
working fine. I then re-pinned it back into the start menu.

It only SEEMS to work.
What's done this way is nothing else but my workaround (often posted by
Gary) to edit the "Start in:" path in the standard shortcut.

Mist types if files will work. But the problem is persistent with JPG
and TXT files.
Try these.
You may send a test mail with TXT and JPG attachments to yourself.
Test it several times, the problem may take a while until it appears.

Rainald

 

[Rainald Taesler]

:

by simply removing the shortcut and opening from the programs folder
the attachments open just fine!!!!!!! thanks so much for the much
needed information !!!!

Lowny, don't shout of joy too early.
This workaoind inly *SEEMS* ti cure the priblem. But it doesn't. Ot inly
reduces the problem.

What's done this way is nothing else but my workaround (often posted by
Gary) to edit the "Start in:" path in the standard shortcut.

Most types if files will work. But the problem is persistent with JPG
and TXT files.
Try these.
You may send a test mail with TXT and JPG attachments to yourself.
Test it several times, the problem may take a while until it appears.

Rainald

 

[bob right]

Delete your Temp Internet Files in Internet Explorer and I bet it will work.
There is a bug though with IE8 because Winmail attachments will eventually
fail to open again and you will heve to delete Temp Int files again.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

:

Delete your Temp Internet Files in Internet Explorer and I bet it
will work. There is a bug though with IE8 because Winmail attachments
will eventually fail to open again and you will heve to delete Temp
Int files again.

I'd bet against you ;-)
This would be unfair, however. I tried literally *everything*.
Naturally all possible with the TIF. To no avail.

Unfortunately what you suggest is a NOT a fix for the problem.
After emptying the TIF attachments open fine for a while.
But the nasty bug will come crawling back soon.

Just try it numerous times, especially with JPG and TXT attachments,
today and tomorrow.

Rainald

 

[johalevy]

I might have an answer to the roblem;

1) Turn off mail
2) Right click on start
3) On Start Label, click on properties
4) Click on Classic Start Menu
5) Click on Start
6) Click on program
7) Click on Window Mail and it should work
After a while should you have the same problem, Reverse procedure. Follow
1-3, on step 4, Click on Start menu. Good Luck.

 

[Sam Hobbs]

I think most people would not know what you mean by "Turn off mail".

Do you have an explanation for why it works?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Recent, related posts in this newsgroup /suggest/ that the fix for the
"cannot open attachments" behavior is an undocumented part of
MS09-019/KB969897 (i.e., the Cumulative Security Update for IE released
earlier this month).

I know for a fact that another IE8-specific bug was also fixed (and also
undocumented) in the same update.

YMMV.

 

[Sam Hobbs]

So it might be a very accurate and useful guess, but it is a guess.

Note that I was asking johalevy if johalevy has an explanation for the fix
that johalevy posted.

 

[Hollywood]

I am having the same problem and want to uninstall IE8. How do I do this?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

To uninstall IE8 see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700

 

[Hollywood]

Thank you for your help.
--
Julie

To uninstall IE8 see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700