Can't open attachments in Windows Mail

[MJ]

Starting about 2 weeks ago, I can't open attachments in Windows Mail. Message
says "command failed to execute" I have been reading the posts and still
don't know what to do. How do I know if IE8 has been installed as an update?
I'm inexperienced with technical stuff. I don't think I installed it, could
it have installed on it's own as an update? Tried saving them to desktop but
don't know how to separate them from the e-mail, so they still don't open.
Help.

 

[t-4-2]

How do I know if IE8 has been installed as an update?
Open Internet Explorer > HELP > About Internet Explorer > what does it say ?

" Tried saving them to desktop but don't know how to separate them from the
e-mail, so they still don't open. "
I'd advise you to save them in a folder of your choice instead of the
desktop.
How to save them ( " separate them from e-mail ..." ) ---
Right click on the Paper Clip > click Save attachments > click Browse to
select where ( destination ) it is to be saved to > click Save

t-4-2

 

[cinders2]

I put a request in with microsoft for help on this problem and also with
Norton ,,,will post back when they send me an solution.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Microsoft is providing free support for Internet Explorer 8 installation, set-up
and usage via the phone through 31 December 2009. Customers must be
running Windows XP or Windows Vista in a non-domain environment.
US & Canada residents call 866-234-6020.
From what I hear, the advice you will get says to uninstall IE8.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

:

I put a request in with microsoft for help on this problem and also
with Norton ,,,will post back when they send me an solution.

Good luck!

So far no one has received a knowledgeable reaction from MS.

And Norton is not part of the game with the IE8-WinMail bug.

Rainald

 

[Debbie61]

Hi,

I also have been having the same problem since downloading IE8 as a critical
update onto my Vista Home Premium system. Through investigation, I have
found that if I open Windows Mail by first left clicking on the Start menu,
then on All Programs, next right click on Windows Mail, and last left click
on Run As Administrator, then allow it to run you will be able to open your
attachments. I have found that you only have to do this once as long as you
keep your computer on, but if you turn your computer off you will have to
open your Windows mail once again through the Start Menu.

If there is some way to always start my Windows Mail to Run As Administrator
with out going through all these extra steps, I would very much appreciate
any help in accomplishing this. I would love to be able when starting up my
computer to just click on my Windows Mail shortcut again.

We have three other computers with the same Vista system as mine, and they
have the IE8 installed on them also, but unlike mine their Windows mail works
just fine, no problems opening their Windows Mail using their shortcuts, and
opening their attachments is a breeze.

 

[Lil Offroader]

I have Vista & IE8, BTW.

click on Start (or the circle thingy for Vista), All Programs and right
click Windows Mail (under All Programs, not on the start menu). Select
Properties.

The value "Start in:" is set to %UserProfile%. This does not work because
opening an attachment cannot save the attachment to a temporary file on that
folder.

I changed it to "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp" and that fixes the
problem.

You can also just clear the field "Start in:" (remove the value) and that
fixes

 

[Miles]

Liz,
I just tried your suggestion. It didn't work for me. (I have vista64 an
IE8 also.)
Dick

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Debbie61]

I also have a Vista 64bit system, and changing the value in the "start in"
did not work for me either. For some reason when I first turn on my computer
and open up my Windows mail using my shortcut it does not run as an
administrator, thus the reason for not being able to open up attachments.

But as I said in my earlier post, If I go through the start menu, and right
click on Windows Mail and click run as administrator, I am than able to
access my attachments. Also, if I decide to close my Windows Mail, but leave
my computer on, I can than click on the shortcut to open my mail again, and
am still able to open my attachments. It is only when I turn off or restart
my computer that I have to go through the whole process again to open Windows
Mail if I wish to access my attachments.

It's an added pain, but at least by opening Windows Mail this way, I am now
able to get to my attachments. If anyone has a solution on how to make the
Windows Mail shortcut work right after start up please let me know.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

I have Vista & IE8, BTW.

click on Start (or the circle thingy for Vista), All Programs and
right click Windows Mail (under All Programs, not on the start menu).
Select Properties.

The value "Start in:" is set to %UserProfile%. This does not work
because opening an attachment cannot save the attachment to a
temporary file on that folder.

I changed it to "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp" and that fixes the
problem.

An easier way would be to just use %temp%.
This system variable points to exactly the same place as your

You can also just clear the field "Start in:" (remove the value) and
that fixes

Both ways are nothing but *workarounds*.
They will solve the problem for most types of files.
The problem will certainly remain for JPG and TXT files.

Rainald

 

[Rainald Taesler]

I also have a Vista 64bit system,

It does not matter if 64- wir 32-bits.

and changing the value in the "start in" did not work for me
either.

Normally this does solve the problem for most types of files.
JPG and TXT files, however, will remain as troublemakers.

For some reason when I first
turn on my computer and open up my Windows mail using my shortcut it
does not run as an administrator, thus the reason for not being able
to open up attachments.

Working with Administrator rights/privileges normally is without any
influence (at least on the long run).

But as I said in my earlier post, If I go through the start menu, and
right click on Windows Mail and click run as administrator, I am than
able to access my attachments.

This may work for a couple of times and/or a day or two (at the max).
The problem will return (sooner or later).

Also, if I decide to close my Windows
Mail, but leave my computer on, I can than click on the shortcut to
open my mail again, and am still able to open my attachments.

*Sometimes* this is sufficient.
But this also is no fix.

It is
only when I turn off or restart my computer that I have to go through
the whole process again to open Windows Mail if I wish to access my
attachments.

Normally it's the other way around.
After a re-boot the attachment problem is more likely not to appear for
a limited period of time.
It will return for certain, however.

It's an added pain, but at least by opening Windows Mail this way, I
am now able to get to my attachments. If anyone has a solution on
how to make the Windows Mail shortcut work right after start up
please let me know.

No one has any solution so far {siiiiigh}.

Rainald

 

[Rainald Taesler]

I also have been having the same problem since downloading IE8 as a
critical update onto my Vista Home Premium system. Through
investigation, I have found that if I open Windows Mail by first left
clicking on the Start menu, then on All Programs, next right click on
Windows Mail, and last left click on Run As Administrator, then allow
it to run you will be able to open your attachments. I have found
that you only have to do this once as long as you keep your computer
on, but if you turn your computer off you will have to open your
Windows mail once again through the Start Menu.

Working with Administrator rights/privileges normally is without any
influence (at least on the long run).

If there is some way to always start my Windows Mail to Run As
Administrator with out going through all these extra steps, I would
very much appreciate any help in accomplishing this. I would love to
be able when starting up my computer to just click on my Windows Mail
shortcut again.

Don't hope for that.
As said the status of the user does not matter.
Whether "normal" user wir Admin does not make any difference.

We have three other computers with the same Vista system as mine, and
they have the IE8 installed on them also, but unlike mine their
Windows mail works just fine, no problems opening their Windows Mail
using their shortcuts, and opening their attachments is a breeze.

Oh, Yes!
The problem with the attachments is totally erratical.
It appears in *many* systems, though not the majority.
And nobody knows when and why {siiiigh}.

Rainald

 

[Debbie61]

Working with Administrator rights/privileges normally is without any
influence (at least on the long run).

You may be right for some, but as for me and my Vista system it worked. I
could open all my attachments as long as I opened Windows Mail as an
administrator. It is apparent what works for some does not necessarily work
for others, just like changing the percentage, or even leaving blank in the
"start in" on my Windows mail properties did nada for me.

Since my posts from yesterday, I downloaded two new critical updates earlier
today, and after I restarted my computer I used my Windows Mail shortcut, and
was able to access all my attachments with out going through the extra steps.
All my attachments open easily now, like they did before I downloaded IE8.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that these two updates have fixed my problem.

The two updates are Cumulative Security Update for IE8 for Windows Vista for
X64-based systems (KB972260) and Security Update for Microsoft Visual C++
2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package (KB973923)

If tomorrow, when I start up my computer, if I go back to having attachment
problems, I will post again. Hopefully, I won't have to.

Debbie61

 

[Sam Hobbs]

You may be right for some, but as for me and my Vista system it worked. I
could open all my attachments as long as I opened Windows Mail as an
administrator. It is apparent what works for some does not necessarily
work
for others, just like changing the percentage, or even leaving blank in
the
"start in" on my Windows mail properties did nada for me.

Since my posts from yesterday, I downloaded two new critical updates
earlier
today, and after I restarted my computer I used my Windows Mail shortcut,
and
was able to access all my attachments with out going through the extra
steps.
All my attachments open easily now, like they did before I downloaded IE8.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that these two updates have fixed my
problem.

The two updates are Cumulative Security Update for IE8 for Windows Vista
for
X64-based systems (KB972260) and Security Update for Microsoft Visual C++
2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package (KB973923)

If tomorrow, when I start up my computer, if I go back to having
attachment
problems, I will post again. Hopefully, I won't have to.

Debbie61

The problem with attachments comes and goes. Hopefully it is gone
permanently for you, but the fact that the problem does not exist at a
moment does not prove it is gone permanently.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

You may be right for some, but as for me and my Vista system it
worked. I could open all my attachments as long as I opened Windows
Mail as an administrator.

O had tried that in all of my four system.
It worked for a shorter while, but the problem came back.

It is apparent what works for some does

not necessarily work for others, just like changing the percentage,

The "percentage"?
Do have the *system-variables* (%UserProfile% or %Temp%) in mind?

or even leaving blank in the "start in" on my Windows mail properties
did nada for me.

Really strange.
This works for me on all four systems for all types of attachments
except TXT and JPG files.

Since my posts from yesterday, I downloaded two new critical updates
earlier today, and after I restarted my computer I used my Windows
Mail shortcut, and was able to access all my attachments with out
going through the extra steps. All my attachments open easily now,
like they did before I downloaded IE8.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that these two updates have fixed my
problem.

Sound really good. Let's wait and see..

The two updates are Cumulative Security Update for IE8 for Windows
Vista for X64-based systems (KB972260) and Security Update for
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package
(KB973923)

The first update mentioned was installed in my system too.
I'm missing the second one and it is not found when searching for
updates. Perhaps the "Visual C++ Redistributable is not installed in my
system.

And - lo and behold! -: Everything seems to be OK with the attachments
at present (including JPG and TXT attachments <!!!>).
I carefully checked what is going on (which temporary files are created
when touching a mail with an attachment and when opening an attachment).
And it seems that the system's behaviour is different now: The temporary
files for mails and their attachments are created correctly and they
disappear when not needed anymore.

Right now I installed the KB972260 on my test machine (the other update
dies not show up on searching) and the situation is the same.

But for sure it's too early for a "Hallelujah".

If tomorrow, when I start up my computer, if I go back to having
attachment problems, I will post again. Hopefully, I won't have to.

I'm seriously hoping with you!!
Let's keep OneNote touch.

Rainald
P.S. In testing I detected another interesting thing which might be an
explanation for the different behaviour of TXT and JPG files OneNote
affected systems:
With all other file types when clocking to open the attachment a
dialog-box appears asking for a confirmation to open the attachment. TXT
and JPG attachments are opened without this dialog.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

KB972260 has also been issued for 32-bit (X86) Vista.
More information here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f7-7412-4c2b-ad11-34396e54ca43&displaylang=en

Let's keep our fingers crossed, hoping it fixes the IE8-caused attachments issue.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

KB972260 has also been issued for 32-bit (X86) Vista.
More information here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f7-7412-4c2b-ad11-34396e54ca43&displaylang=en

That's what I used (as I only have 32-bits systems).

Let's keep our fingers crossed, hoping it fixes the IE8-caused
attachments issue.

That's what I have been doing for three days now; the second finger is
complaining already<g>.

And according to "knock on wood" there have been uncountable knocks on
my old head <gbg>.

As it seems the problem really was cured by the said update.

Rainald

 

[Debbie61]

Just wanted to give everyone an update. Since downloading on the 27th of
last month, the two critical updates: Cumulative Security Update for IE8 for
Windows Vista for X64-based systems (KB972260) and Security Update for
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package (KB973923)
everything is still working great, all attachments open like clock work.

I was reading in another discussion list in this forum, that the problem
might lie in OneNote. But I don't think this is correct because as yet, I
don't have it installed or any other microsoft office software activated on
my system. I do however plan to remedy this in the next day or two. I
recently bought Microsoft Office which does have OneNote in it.

Is there some reason why maybe I shouldn't download OneNote on my computer?
I don't want to have any more problems than I already have. Also, the new
software includes Outlook. Would you advise making this my default mail
instead of Windows Mail?

Thanks for getting back,

Debbie61

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Just wanted to give everyone an update. Since downloading on the
27th of last month, the two critical updates: Cumulative Security
Update for IE8 for Windows Vista for X64-based systems (KB972260)
and Security Update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1
Redistributable Package (KB973923) everything is still working great,
all attachments open like clock work.

Thanks for your re-confirmation!
I had also reported that my three computers do no longer have the
attachment problem. Everything is fine now.
I carefully checked the steps happening on opening of an attachment.
Obviously the IE-patch KB972260 has changed the way temporary files for
attachments are handled - they now are placed correctly in
subdirectories of the TIF (Temporary Internet Files) and they are
removed correctly when changing to a different mail). Whatever might
have caused the misbehavior, things seem to be OK again.

I was reading in another discussion list in this forum, that the
problem might lie in OneNote.

I'm pretty sure that this is just wrong rumor.
Could you pls provide a link (Message ID) to the discussion you are
referring to?
I did a search in "onenote" in this newsgroup and the only postings
which were found were some from *Me* (and some replies quoting those).
And those all had *typos* ("auto-corrected" from "on" to "OneNote")
{grrrrhhhh}

*NO*, OneNote does not have anything to do with the attachment problem.

because as yet, I don't have it installed or any other microsoft
office software activated on my system.

do however plan to remedy
this in the next day or two. I recently bought Microsoft Office
which does have OneNote in it.

Yes, install OneNote. It's are really fantastic application. It's the
mist often used piece if software in my systems.

Is there some reason why maybe I shouldn't download OneNote on my
computer? I don't want to have any more problems than I already have.

As said: No problem will arose from installing OneNote.

Also, the new software includes Outlook. Would you advise making
this my default mail instead of Windows Mail?

Just check it out.
Outlook is installed on all of my systems. But I hardly ever use it for
mail. I work with it for Calendar and Contacts and Tasks (also synching
with my PDAs). But for mails I always preferred Outlook Express and
WinMail. IMHO: Easier, more intuitive and mail and news in one place.

Rainald