Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments

misterdk · 05-11-2009, 03:49 PM

Running OE 6 on Win XP-Pro SP3 on a brand new Dell Optiplex 760 desktop.
When I double-click on an attachment in an email message I get the following error; "The command failed to execute". This happens with all types of attachments, Word documents or .pdf files. If I save the attachment to the desktop and double-click it on the desktop, all attachments open with no problems. As I said, this is a brand new machine with over 150 gigs of free space available. Can anyone offer a solution? Thanks.

**spike2me** · 05-11-2009, 04:31 PM

Open OE and go to Tools/Options/Security tab and uncheck “Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus”, and hit OK.

**spike2me** · 05-11-2009, 04:36 PM

Open OE and go to Tools/Options/Security tab and uncheck “Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus”, and hit OK.

misterdk · 05-12-2009, 12:40 PM

That box was already unchecked so that is not the solution. Thanks for replying. Any other ideas? Anybody?

**spike2me** · 05-12-2009, 12:48 PM

You receive the following error message:
The command failed to execute.

Answer: Windows Address Book files are changed.

If the Wabmig.exe file is damaged, rename the file, and then reinstall Outlook Express.

To rename the Wabmig.exe file

1. On the Start menu, point to Search, and then click All Files or Folders .
2. In the Named box, type Wabmig.exe , and then click Find Now .
3. Right-click the file, and then click Rename .
4. Rename the file to Wabmig.old .
5.Reinstall Outlook Express.

misterdk · 05-12-2009, 01:44 PM

How would you go about reinstalling OE? Thanks.

**spike2me** · 05-12-2009, 02:59 PM

http://ask-leo.com/from_where_can_i_...express_6.html

**TheOutcaste** · 05-13-2009, 12:48 AM

Try running SFC:
Start | Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, press Enter
You'll need the XP CD

If that doesn't do the trick:
First, Backup Outlook Express Data
Then, follow Method 2 in this article to re-install OE.
Re-import your data following the steps in the 1st article.

HTH

Jerry

05-11-2009, 03:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
misterdk Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Vista sp1	Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments Running OE 6 on Win XP-Pro SP3 on a brand new Dell Optiplex 760 desktop. When I double-click on an attachment in an email message I get the following error; "The command failed to execute". This happens with all types of attachments, Word documents or .pdf files. If I save the attachment to the desktop and double-click it on the desktop, all attachments open with no problems. As I said, this is a brand new machine with over 150 gigs of free space available. Can anyone offer a solution? Thanks.

05-11-2009, 04:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,482 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments Open OE and go to Tools/Options/Security tab and uncheck “Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus”, and hit OK. __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

05-11-2009, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,482 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments Open OE and go to Tools/Options/Security tab and uncheck “Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus”, and hit OK. __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

05-12-2009, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
misterdk Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Vista sp1	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments That box was already unchecked so that is not the solution. Thanks for replying. Any other ideas? Anybody?

05-12-2009, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,482 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments You receive the following error message: The command failed to execute. Answer: Windows Address Book files are changed. If the Wabmig.exe file is damaged, rename the file, and then reinstall Outlook Express. To rename the Wabmig.exe file 1. On the Start menu, point to Search, and then click All Files or Folders . 2. In the Named box, type Wabmig.exe , and then click Find Now . 3. Right-click the file, and then click Rename . 4. Rename the file to Wabmig.old . 5.Reinstall Outlook Express. __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

05-12-2009, 01:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
misterdk Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Vista sp1	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments How would you go about reinstalling OE? Thanks.

05-12-2009, 02:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,482 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments http://ask-leo.com/from_where_can_i_...express_6.html __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

05-13-2009, 12:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 756 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: Outlook Express 6 Won't Open Attachments Try running SFC: Start \| Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, press Enter You'll need the XP CD If that doesn't do the trick: First, Backup Outlook Express Data Then, follow Method 2 in this article to re-install OE. Re-import your data following the steps in the 1st article. HTH Jerry __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?