Strange!! Outlook 2003/2007 attachment permission issue

[tasii]

Hi all,

Ok, this is very strange. The 'problem' computer is receiving an error when
attempting to open some, but not all, email attachments. The attachments
range in file types, including .xls, .doc, and .pdf. They are from different
senders, and none have security enabled on the file itself. In fact, one of
the errors is a reply - with the attachment having been created by the user
receiving the error. The error is:

"Word cannot open the document: user does not have access privileges"

The attachment, again, originally created by the person now receving this
message, is an Excel spredsheet. The reference to 'Word' being somewhat
puzzling - although word is the default email editor. I have tested this
attachment/email on two other machines, one with the same error, the other
with none, both running Office 2007. All machines running XP Pro, all O.S.'s
and Office applications fully patched.

I have been reseaching this now for two days, trying everything from
antivirus reinstall to Office repair. If anyone has anything to suggest,
please do!

TIA!
Tim

 

[Brian Tillman]

Ok, this is very strange. The 'problem' computer is receiving an
error when attempting to open some, but not all, email attachments.
The attachments range in file types, including .xls, .doc, and .pdf.
They are from different senders, and none have security enabled on
the file itself. In fact, one of the errors is a reply - with the
attachment having been created by the user receiving the error. The
error is:

"Word cannot open the document: user does not have access privileges"

Try clearing the Outlook Secure Temp Folder.
http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/securetemp.htm

 

[tasii]

Thanks for the reply Brian. Unfortunitely, the tip did not help. Cool site
though!

I might also mention that on the Office 2003 computer, starting Outlook in
safe mode usually will allow the problem attachment to be opened. This does
not work with the Office 2007 machine.

 

[tasii]

Another observation: the "problem attachments" show up in the body of the
message, rather than at the top near the subject line...
Any attachment at the top (the 'normal' place you see them) is fine, while
the ones that appear in the message body instead error when attempting to
open.

Does this offer a clue?

 

[tasii]

FYI - I can forward a problem email to my Outlook express, and it will
perfectly.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Thanks for the reply Brian. Unfortunitely, the tip did not help. Cool
site though!

I might also mention that on the Office 2003 computer, starting
Outlook in safe mode usually will allow the problem attachment to be
opened. This does not work with the Office 2007 machine.

If you have Google Desktop Search installed, try uninstalling it. If
something works in safe mode but not otherwise, it's usually the fault of an
add-in.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Another observation: the "problem attachments" show up in the body of
the message, rather than at the top near the subject line...

Messages containing attachment and sent in Rich Text format will display the
attachment icon within the body of the message. Messages sent in Plain Text
or HTML format will include the attachment in an Attachment line below the
subject. I don't know why you'd have problems with Rich Text messages in
Outlook 2007, however.

 

[tasii]

Yeah.. no add-ons or crapware. These are business machines in a domain
environment.

I still haven't found the cause or correct cure, but along the lines of
noticing that the problem attachments were shown in the body of the message
rather than the usual location by the subject line, i played around with
forwarding them to myself using different formatting.
Indeed, when I forward using "plain text" , the attachment is placed near
the subject line, and can be opened upon receipt.
Now, why the message format has anything to with the ability to open
contained attachments, I don't know.

Thoughts?
Thanks!