Re: Unable to open PDF files in Windows Live Mail on Windows 7

Gary VanderMolen

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Nov 5, 2009, 2:18:18 PM11/5/09

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The following fix was developed for Vista, so no guarantees:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/236/1/Unable-to-open-PDF-attachments-from-Windows-Mail.html

--
Gary VanderMolen, Microsoft MVP (Mail)
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/profile/vandermolen

"captnice" <capt...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F9066FE0-2E5F-431E...@microsoft.com...
>I recent upgraded from Vista 64 to 64-bit Windows 7. When I attempt to open
> a PDF file attachment in Windows Live Mail, I get a message box telling me
> that I do not have a program associated with this file type. I was able to
> open PDF attachements before I upgraded. I have double-checked my "Default
> Programs" control panel and .pdf is associated with Adobe Reader. If I save
> the .pdf file, I can open it with a simple double-click, indicating to me
> that the association is correct.
>
> I can open PDF file attachments in Hotmail and Outlook. What is going wrong
> in Windows Live Mail? I recently re-installed Windows Live Mail and Adobe
> Reader and nothing changed.

Ian Cockram

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Nov 5, 2009, 2:26:01 PM11/5/09

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"captnice" <capt...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F9066FE0-2E5F-431E...@microsoft.com...
> I recent upgraded from Vista 64 to 64-bit Windows 7. When I attempt to
> open
> a PDF file attachment in Windows Live Mail, I get a message box telling me
> that I do not have a program associated with this file type. I was able
> to
> open PDF attachements before I upgraded. I have double-checked my
> "Default
> Programs" control panel and .pdf is associated with Adobe Reader. If I
> save
> the .pdf file, I can open it with a simple double-click, indicating to me
> that the association is correct.
>
> I can open PDF file attachments in Hotmail and Outlook. What is going
> wrong
> in Windows Live Mail? I recently re-installed Windows Live Mail and Adobe
> Reader and nothing changed.

I had this very same problem both on my previous Vista install and again on
my W7 install. On both occasions I did what you have done above. However, I
changed/removed and then reapplied defaults etc to the likes of 'Contacts,
WLM/news and IE. etc etc.
Can't put my finger on what precisely fixed the problem for me but on both
occasions opening PDF's from within WLM worked ok.

Good luck

Ian

Robert Aldwinckle

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Nov 5, 2009, 3:40:36 PM11/5/09

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"captnice" <capt...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F9066FE0-2E5F-431E...@microsoft.com...
> I recent upgraded from Vista 64 to 64-bit Windows 7. When I attempt to open
> a PDF file attachment in Windows Live Mail, I get a message box telling me
> that I do not have a program associated with this file type. I was able to
> open PDF attachements before I upgraded. I have double-checked my "Default
> Programs" control panel and .pdf is associated with Adobe Reader. If I save
> the .pdf file, I can open it with a simple double-click, indicating to me
> that the association is correct.
>
> I can open PDF file attachments in Hotmail and Outlook.

> What is going wrong in Windows Live Mail?

Probably nothing.

> I recently re-installed Windows Live Mail and Adobe
> Reader and nothing changed.

What are AR's Preferences? Hint: press Ctrl-k
Try unchecking Display PDF in browser
and see if your symptom changes?

BTW did you also get a recent update for IE?
Perhaps you should "reinstall" AR after that too? ; )
Tip: instead of reinstalling it just use its Repair
procedure, e.g. via appwiz.cpl (aka ARP or whatever
Vista and W7 are now calling it.)

Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle
---

end@discussions.microsoft.com Wits end

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Feb 19, 2010, 2:08:01 AM2/19/10

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I can't set adobe to open pdf files in WLM either....and get that same error
message

Robert, I did what you said re adobe repair and unticked 'display pdf in
browser' and that didn't work either.

What else can be done...surely this is a major problem for everyone.....is
there no-one that can view pdf files in WLM in adobe?

"Robert Aldwinckle" wrote:

> .
>

Wits end

unread,

Feb 19, 2010, 5:24:01 AM2/19/10

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I can't set adobe to open pdf files in WLM either....and get that same error
message

Robert, I did what you said re adobe repair and unticked 'display pdf in
browser' and that didn't work either.

What else can be done...surely this is a major problem for everyone.....is
there no-one that can view pdf files in WLM in adobe?

"Robert Aldwinckle" wrote:

Ian Cockram

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Feb 19, 2010, 6:03:21 AM2/19/10

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I have had similar issues with .pdf not working with WLMail.

Each time a quick fix sorted the problem by resetting WLMail as the default
e-mail program.

Go to Default programs in Control Panel. Then > Set program access and
computer defaults > expand Custom > under Choose a default e-mail program
select WLMail and then OK.

Try opening a .pdf attachment now from within WLMail.

Hope this helps.

Ian

Robert Aldwinckle

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Feb 19, 2010, 10:30:10 PM2/19/10

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"Ian Cockram" <ianco...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:D4CFA0ED-82C4-4EAC...@microsoft.com...

>
> I have had similar issues with .pdf not working with WLMail.
>

> Each time a quick fix sorted the problem by resetting WLMail as the
> default
> e-mail program.

I can't imagine why that would have helped. Have you tried tracing this
with ProcMon to try to understand what is happening then?

>
> Go to Default programs in Control Panel. Then > Set program access and
> computer defaults > expand Custom > under Choose a default e-mail program
> select WLMail and then OK.

Instead have you tried my suggestion to use AR's Repair function?

>
> Try opening a .pdf attachment now from within WLMail.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Ian

Good luck

Robert
---

Shadyblack

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Jun 3, 2010, 9:29:19 PM6/3/10

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What I ended up doing is saving the attachment in my documents, then from
there I right click on the attachment. Then click on properties and then
choose adobe to open with instead of Microsoft Office Word and then click
apply. Then all your Word documents that may not have been created by the
same version as you have can be opened, buy by adobe (PDF). It worked for me.

"captnice" wrote:

> I recent upgraded from Vista 64 to 64-bit Windows 7. When I attempt to open
> a PDF file attachment in Windows Live Mail, I get a message box telling me
> that I do not have a program associated with this file type. I was able to
> open PDF attachements before I upgraded. I have double-checked my "Default
> Programs" control panel and .pdf is associated with Adobe Reader. If I save
> the .pdf file, I can open it with a simple double-click, indicating to me
> that the association is correct.
>
> I can open PDF file attachments in Hotmail and Outlook. What is going wrong

> in Windows Live Mail? I recently re-installed Windows Live Mail and Adobe
> Reader and nothing changed.

Shadyblack

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Jun 3, 2010, 9:32:42 PM6/3/10

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Actually when you click on properties, then click on Change and then click on
adobe. I forgot that part.