Member Avatar for kimmer1028

:@ My system crashed & I subsequently had to replace the hard drive. I used to have Outlook 2000. The tech guy installed Outlook 2002 when he loaded everything again. I couldn't open any regular attachments (like jokes from my friends). Okay, so after searching all over the web for a solution & finding none, I decided to uninstall Outlook '02 and reinstall Outlook '00. Guess what? The same problem! I have tried everything under the sun (checking the Registry - nothing wrong there; checking my security settings, etc.) and I still can't figure out what the problem could be. Before my hard disk failed I had no problems opening attachments. I have signed on to every tech forum imaginable and nobody seems to be able to help me. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by robertclasalle

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Quick summary and what's missing from the replies: describes a profile that can open Word/PDF attachments but “nothing happens” for other types after a drive rebuild. and correctly suggested antivirus/scan-plugin interference and pointed toward Outlook’s added attachment security. Two common causes not spelled out above are (A) Outlook’s hidden “SecureTemp” (OLK) folder becoming invalid or full and (B) broken Windows file-type associations or shell handlers. The paragraphs below give safe, repeatable checks to isolate which it is.

Find and clear Outlook’s temporary (OLK) folder: Outlook writes opened attachments into a secure temp folder; if that folder’s path is wrong or the files are locked, attachments can fail silently. Open Regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook\Security (Outlook 2000) and copy the OutlookSecureTempFolder value, paste that path into Explorer to open it, then delete or rename the files/folder and restart Outlook. This often fixes “double-click does nothing” problems. (slipstick.com)

Test file associations (save & open from disk): For a failing attachment type, save it to the desktop and double‑click. If it still won’t open, the Windows association is likely broken. On Windows XP-era systems use Control Panel → Folder Options → File Types; from a command prompt use assoc .ext to see the extension mapping and ftype <filetype> to see the program used (for example assoc .zip then ftype <that-filetype>). Repair or reassign the association and try again. (learn.microsoft.com)

Check add‑ins / run Outlook in safe mode: Start Outlook with Outlook.exe /safe. If attachments open in safe mode, a third‑party add‑in (mail scanner or shell extension) is the culprit—disable non‑Microsoft COM add‑ins via Tools → Options → Other → Advanced Options → COM Add‑Ins and retest. If nothing else works, run the Office “Repair” from Control Panel (Change/Modify → Repair). (support.microsoft.com)

Why these gaps matter: the forum suggestions so far point at likely suspects; the secure temp folder, file associations and add‑ins are the practical steps that quickly separate a Windows/profile problem from Outlook security or AV interception.

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Member Avatar for zelkea

Do you get an error when you attempt to open the attachment? Are you able to open a local document by double clicking on it?

AJZ

Member Avatar for kimmer1028

Do you get an error when you attempt to open the attachment? Are you able to open a local document by double clicking on it?

AJZ

No -- nothing happens at all. I'm able to open Word & PDF attachments, but nothing else. It's really weird. There must be some setting in there I just can't find, since it happened in both Outlook 2002 & 2000. Like I said, I never had any problems before; I'd get an email w/an attachment, I'd double-click it and it would open. Now, nothing. Any ideas? Thanks!

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

do you have any norton antivirus installed. or mcafee. some times these programs block attachements..if not you will have to get the latest patch for outlook then edit the registry.

Member Avatar for Softix

From your post it would appear that you have MS Outlook 2000 email client. If that's the case you have the wrong email scanner installed plugin on your system. It would appear that you have the 'Personal E-mail Scanner' installed when you should have the 'MS Outlook Extension'...

Member Avatar for zelkea

Kimmer,
I found this page on MS site http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829982/en-us, since Outlook 2000 SR1 MS has incorporated a security level to block access to attachments deemed unsafe. You will still see that attachment but will be unable to open it. To change this behavior you will need to modify the registry do not forget to backup your registry before making any changes.

IMPORTANT: Before you can customize the attachment security behavior in Outlook 2000 SR1 and Microsoft Outlook 2000 SR1a, you must first apply either Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 2 or Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3.

Please let us know if this fixes your problem.

p.s. if this doesn't work plz post which extensions specifically you are having problems with.

AJZ

Member Avatar for robertclasalle

I have exactly the same problem. Were you able to solve yours? What did you do?

Thanks,
Bob

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