PDF attachments will not open after IE8

[TheDuck]

Seems this is a common issue.
After updating to IE8 through normal Windows Update, I can no longer open
PDF attachments in Acrobat as I could before. Message states it cannot find
the file.
I can save the attachment and then open with Acrobat.
I have removed the IE8 update and hence reverted to original IE7.
The problem is hence resolved.

My guess is IE8 has somehow changed the temp file location, and hence the
file cannot be found. There must be a registry pointer change that caused
this.

Anyway, I'll keep IE7 until the group can come up with a simple fix or
recommendation.

Is MS aware of this problem?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Several of us have been posting about this issue in various Microsoft
newsgroups, but so far there has not been any Microsoft response.

 

[TheDuck]

Thanks Gary.
I'm surprised this did not come up during Beta, as most users seem to have
picked it up just days from IE8 install.
Chris

Several of us have been posting about this issue in various Microsoft
newsgroups, but so far there has not been any Microsoft response.

 

[Spondonian]

Well I have the problem, and not just with PDF files. It affects all attached
files. They cannot be view direct, only if saved and then the saved file is
opened in the normal way.
So again, is MS aware of the problem, and are they doing anything about it?

 

[carlos58_ar]

I add my claim to all you. After updating with IE8 in my Windows Vista, I can
not open directly any file attached. Microsoft shoul correct this bug ASAP.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Carlos, Spondonium, I don't know if Microsoft is aware of this issue, but
they typically don't take action unless it affects millions of users.
Until such time as Microsoft releases a fix, all you can do is use one of
these three workarounds.

1) Uninstall IE8, which reverts you back to IE7.
2) Save attachments first, then open them outside of Windows Mail.
3) Upgrade to Windows Live Mail.

 

[Rainald Taesler]

Maybe Adobe needs to be looking at the PDF issue from their side.
Personally, I don't think it should be a major bug to rectify. I
suggest users with the PDF problem also post to Adobe's forums as
well.

It's not a problem with PDFs. It's a problem appearing with all sorts of
file types.

There are in general problems with PDFs (file associations) but they
appear totally different.
If Acrobat and/or the Reader start up and error with "file not found"
than it's the IE8-WinMail problem.

Rainald

 

[Heinz Bachner]

Similar problem with me:
Desktop Vista Ultimate 64 : after installation of IE8 cannot open any
attachment in windows mail, IE8 removed, everthing ok again
Laptop Vista Home 32: after installation of IE8 no problem

regards


Heinz Bachner


Apparently the problem is relatively rare. I for one don't have it.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Thanks for that data point. The problem does seem to be more
prevalent with 64-bit than 32-bit Vista.

 

[Carl]

This is also a problem for me, so far only pdf. I also went back to saved
emails and tryed to re-open files I previously opened, and they will not open
now.

I then used firefox and no problem.

BTW, I am using Vista Premium

Honestly I prefer IE7 in other ways as well such as how browsing history, so
unless a patch comes along soon, I will dump IE8 and go back to IE7 or maybe
just use Firefox until Microsoft gets their act together.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

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 entered
value to %UserProfile%. Click OK. Restart Windows Mail and try opening
attachments.

 

[SSBandit]

I have Windows Live Mail and it is doing exactly the Same thing, so upgrading
to WLM is not the solution either.

 

[SSBandit]

BTW, I am using it with WinXP Pro and not Vista, so it definitley an IE8
problem.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

You should report that issue in the newsgroup for Windows Live Mail.
Be sure to post your exact error message, since there can be different causes.