Can't open file attachments

[Campheel]

I have a problem that has recently developed in that I am unable to open file
attachments directly from WM. The only way I can open them is to save them
to a folder, then open. I get error message saying file cannot be found.
This happens with Word and Adobe files.

 

[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)?

 

[Rainseeker]

I have the same problem. Was working fine untill about 2-3 weeks ago then the
attached files usually do not open. I can save them and they will. Checked
security settings and any other changes but found nothing.

Beginning to wish I could go back to Outlook Express. A new program is worth
nothing if you can't use it.

 

[Hal Hostetler [MVP-P/I]]

This is a known issue if you've installed IE8. The only way to fix the
problem, currently, is to uninstall IE8, reverting to IE7.

Hal

 

[Rainald Taesler]

I have a problem that has recently developed in that I am unable to
open file attachments directly from WM. The only way I can open them
is to save them to a folder, then open. I get error message saying
file cannot be found. This happens with Word and Adobe files.

You have recently installed IE8, haven't you?

If so: You get bitten by the IE8-WinMail bug which affects some (not
all) systems.

So far there is no fix except uninstalling IE8.

The problem can be reduced to JPG and TXT attachments and all other file
types working with the following workaround:
Right-click on the shortcut that you use to open Windows Mail. Select
Properties. In the field labeled 'Start in' change the entered value to
%UserProfile%. Click OK. Restart Windows Mail and try opening
attachments.

HTH
Rainald

 

[p_l]

Yup, this fixed it for me. Thanks.

I wonder how we'll know when it's safe to install IE8 again.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

You can ask here periodically.

 

[strangelove]

Another quick work-around. Just R-click & drag the "attachment icon" in the
main mail window to the desktop. Drop it, click "copy" & dble click it open
from there. Voila!

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Another quick work-around. Just R-click & drag the "attachment icon"
in the main mail window to the desktop. Drop it, click "copy" & dble
click it open from there. Voila!

Thanks for sharing your findings.
But that's not new new at all. It's just one possible way of saving
attachments and opening them..
Drawbacks (a) the desktop is not a proper place for storing files (not
even temporarily).
(b) This needs opening the mail which is an extra action. I for one
hardly ever do that.

Rainald

 

[p_l]

Still not safe, it seems. i tried installing a new Windows Update version of
IE8 today, and lo and behold I'm unable to open attcments again. So it'still
not fixed I guess. Any word on when IE8 will be made safe to install? Looks
like I'll have to remove it again for the time being.*sigh*

 

[p_l]

Today, I installed IE8 from its most recent iteration via Windows Update, and
the problem is now gone. I can open attachments in Windows Mail again. Thanks
to all who helped.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You used the identical installer version when you installed IE8 again. What
did you do differently this time (e.g., disable your AV app)?

Today, I installed IE8 from its most recent iteration via Windows Update,
and the problem is now gone. I can open attachments in Windows Mail again.
Thanks to all who helped.

<snip>

 

[p_l]

I simply uninstalled the IE8 that caused the problem a few days ago, and when
I got a new notification yesterday for IE8 again, I installed that. Perhaps a
bug fix version has recently been issued? Other than that, I didn't do
anything differently.

Again, thanks to those who have helped make us aware of the problem and
those who have helped to fix it.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

The only difference would have been the fact that you also installed
MS09-019/KB969897 during the installation process and I'd very much doubt
that Jun-09 Cumulative Update for IE contained any fixes for the attachment
problem.

Then again, YMMV.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

No bug fix for the attachments problem has been issued. I've been
notified by Microsoft that they are still investigating the issue.

 

[p_l]

Well then, I guess I got lucky. I really don't know of anything that I did
differently, except for installing, from Windows Update, "Definition Update
for Windows Defender KB915597 Definition 1.61.369.0." I'm on Vista Home
Premium 64-bit, if that info can be useful anyhow.

Now I see that SP2 for Vista 64-bit is coming down the pipe through Windows
Update, so next I'll install that and see how everything goes.

 

[p_l]

That was short-lived joy. After installing Vista SP2, the problem returned. I
uninstalled IE8 yet again and the problem is gone.

If it means anything, I did note that when installing SP2, Windows Update
also installed 3 other updates just before:

Security Update for Microsoft Windows KB969897

Update for Microsoft Windows KB969058

Update for Microsoft Window KB971930


Oh well, it looks like it's back to Firefox and IE7 for me for the time being.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Thanks for your report.
As soon as we hear about a permanent fix, it will be announced here.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? 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, reinstalled, and/or uninstalled IE8?
....when you installed SP2?

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)?