Unable to Open Outlook Attachments – Resolve the Issue

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager that is used to store, send and receive emails. It saves contacts, tasks, journals, calendars, etc. It is one of the best email client software. Users can even send files along with attachments. However, at times Outlook run into issues that result in displaying an error message” Unable to Open Outlook Attachments”. It creates a big hurdle in between the work because attachments are crucial parts of emails. This error message restricts the users from accessing the attachments. There are various reasons for the problem due to which Outlook not opening attachments. Therefore, in this blog, we will discuss all such reasons and describe the best solution to fix the error.

Root Causes for Cannot Open Attachments in Outlook 2016/2013/2010

There are various reasons due to which users find the error messages such as –

• There may be the chance that error message appears when subfolders that consist of default copies of Temporary internet files, has reached its maximum limit of storage.
• Due to default security protocols, Microsoft Outlook does not allow opening attachments, which may damage the database of Outlook or some other files severely. Hence, Outlook attachments get automatically locked displaying the error message that informs the user about the inaccessibility of attachments.
• There may be a chance that PST file is corrupted or inaccessible. Thus, when user tries to view the files they encountered with the error ” Unable to Open Outlook Attachments”
• Continually accessing similar Outlook attachment, then their temporary files stock up in a Temporary file folder. Thus, after a certain time period outlook refuses to store the temporary file of the same name at the temporary place showing the error” cannot open outlook attachments”.

Manual Approach to Fix Unable to Open Outlook Attachments Error

Solution#1

When the error is associated with Temporary Internet Files then this method can be used. This can be done by using some useful steps –

• Firstly, users have to click on Start
• Then, select Run option
• REGEDIT.EXE will be displayed then user have to click on Edit
• Then, go to Find option
• Now, type OutlookSecureTempFolder in Find dialog box
• Find the registry key, that saves the actual folder location
• Now, note down the location of the folder
• Then, in the Start menu, navigate to Run option and type in the particular location
• After this user have to click OK
• User will notice that the folder will be automatically opened by the default browser
• Delete all the files present in the folder
• Lastly, restart your browser & try to open Outlook attachments that are not accessible

Solution#2

Users can opt for this method if they are unable to open Outlook attachments due to security protocols. In this solution, the user has to edit and restore the security settings in the registry of Outlook. This key totally depends upon the version of Operating System.

For Windows XP:

• Firstly, click on Start then select Run option
• After this type the command – %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
• Then, click OK
• Welcome to System Restore page gets displayed
• User has to select the option Create a restore point & click on Next
• Now, a new page will open, on this page user have to mention the location of New File for restoration
• Then, click on Create and click on Close button
• Once it is done user have to follow step 1, 2 and 3 once again
• Then, select the option to Restore my computer to an older time and click on Next
• A new page gets to appear in this page user have select system checkpoint. A list is shown, user have to click on “Guide Help(Registry Backup)” then select Next button
• Now, a System restoration message appears, showing a list of configuration modifications made, user have to click OK. Confirmation page will appear after this, click on Next
• Click on OK

For Windows 10

• Firstly click on Start then, choose Run and type REGEDIT.EXE
• To proceed further, user has to enter administration password in case password confirmation is prompted
• After opening Registry Editor, trace the key of a registry, which you want to modify
• After that click on File menu and then click Export
• The Export Registry File box is shown, describing the place where user desire to resave the backup name of the backup file to recognize it afterward
• Lastly, click on Save

We have seen two solutions that help the user to resolve the error “Unable to open Outlook attachments”. With this approach, they can fix the error but it is much complicated and lengthy. Moreover, it requires good technical knowledge. There it is recommended to opt for third party tool that is described in the next section.

Automated Solution to Fix cannot open attachments in outlook 2016/2013/2010

By using Outlook PST Viewer Software users can easily fix the error and read Outlook attachments easily without any interruption. Moreover, it also provides various features such as Advanced Search option. It allows users to search items from PST file. It is useful when the user has to search email or any information from large PST file. The user can easily enter any text or phrase to find the result.

Conclusion

We have read both manual as well as the trouble-free method to fix the error “unable to open Outlook attachments”. But the manual approach is not easy as it seems to be therefore, it is recommended to use third party tool. With this methods, emails along with attachments can be viewed easily and save time also.