Can't open attachments in Outlook

aninkling · 12-01-2007, 06:23 PM

I can see there is an attachment, eg, a .msg file, but open doesn't work. If I save it, then I can open it as an object, but there's no formatting. It looks like hex code for a windows document. I've read the information on adding a registry entry to change the Level1 entry, and I did it. That doesn't help. This is Outlook 2003, no exchange server; direct download from service provider.

There are over 1,000,000 hits on not being able to open email attachments, even when I include Vista. I've had no problem with XP.

**sobeit** · 12-02-2007, 10:03 AM

is this all attachments or specific ones?

aninkling · 12-02-2007, 10:11 AM

So far, everything.

aninkling · 12-02-2007, 10:19 AM

I was reading other threads, and it's possible that one of the recent service packs did the job. In particular, it might have been SP 3 for Office 2003. I think that's about the time it happened. Usually when there's a problem with a service pack, it's because the SP resets some flags or values, not letting the user know. But I can't figure out where. It is peculiar that the Temporary Internet files parameter value is not in my user name folder; it's somewhere else. I've attached the registry entry, which I have edited to add .msg and .eml files.

**sobeit** · 12-02-2007, 10:37 AM

if you believe it was sp3 that caused it, try rolling back your system by doing a system restore to a date just prior to the problem.

theres been major problems problems with vista and outlook 2003.

aninkling · 12-03-2007, 07:03 AM

- I understand from another forum entrie by a guru that it isn't possible/safe to role back SP3. ???
- I found I can open wmv files, which is associated with Windows Media Player.

aninkling · 12-06-2007, 07:00 AM

With the help of Microsoft, a solution has been found to the problem of not being able to open some or all file types attached to email messages in Outlook 2003 on Vista: the Google Desktop is blocking the action. As a work-around:

Go to add-ins: Tools.Options.Other.Advanced Options, Add-In Manager button and, if the Google Desktop addin is checked, uncheck it.

This solved the problem of not being able to open and view attachments.

12-01-2007, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
aninkling Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 OS: VISTA	Can't open attachments in Outlook I can see there is an attachment, eg, a .msg file, but open doesn't work. If I save it, then I can open it as an object, but there's no formatting. It looks like hex code for a windows document. I've read the information on adding a registry entry to change the Level1 entry, and I did it. That doesn't help. This is Outlook 2003, no exchange server; direct download from service provider. There are over 1,000,000 hits on not being able to open email attachments, even when I include Vista. I've had no problem with XP.

12-02-2007, 10:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 5,421 OS: windows/linux	Re: Can't open attachments in Outlook is this all attachments or specific ones?

12-02-2007, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
aninkling Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 OS: VISTA	Re: Can't open attachments in Outlook So far, everything.

12-02-2007, 10:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 5,421 OS: windows/linux	Re: Can't open attachments in Outlook if you believe it was sp3 that caused it, try rolling back your system by doing a system restore to a date just prior to the problem. theres been major problems problems with vista and outlook 2003.

12-03-2007, 07:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
aninkling Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 OS: VISTA	Re: Can't open attachments in Outlook - I understand from another forum entrie by a guru that it isn't possible/safe to role back SP3. ??? - I found I can open wmv files, which is associated with Windows Media Player.

12-06-2007, 07:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
aninkling Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5 OS: VISTA	Re: Can't open attachments in Outlook- Solution found With the help of Microsoft, a solution has been found to the problem of not being able to open some or all file types attached to email messages in Outlook 2003 on Vista: the Google Desktop is blocking the action. As a work-around: Go to add-ins: Tools.Options.Other.Advanced Options, Add-In Manager button and, if the Google Desktop addin is checked, uncheck it. This solved the problem of not being able to open and view attachments.