Cannot open PDF attachment in Windows Mail

Wytze

unread,

Oct 3, 2007, 5:03:01 PM10/3/07

to

Hi,
When I receive an email with a PDF attachement and try to open this from
within Windows mail, I get the following error: "This file does not have a
progam associated with it for performing this action. Create an association
in the Set Associations control panel". After downloading the attached file
to some folder, I can open it by clicking on it (so file association is OK,
right?)
Q: any advice to resolve this?
Some additional data:
-Checked file association for .pdf and found it to be correct: points to
Adobe Reader
-I have Adobe Reader 8.1 freshly (re)installed
-clicking a pdf file in windows explorer opens the pdf file normally
-I'm running Ultima with latest updates
-did mess around with Adobe Acrobat which I finally uninstalled after which
I noted this issue (but not 200% sure it was not there before...)
Any tips appreciated!

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 1:42:21 AM10/4/07

to

This is a known Windows Mail bug. You already know the only
workaround: save the attachment, then open the saved file outside
of Windows Mail.

--
Gary VanderMolen [MS MVP-WLM]

"Wytze" <wytze.re...@hoogslag.dot.com> wrote in message news:909F74D0-3D9C-4F3B...@microsoft.com...

Wytze

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 3:12:00 AM10/4/07

to

Thanks for the update! So, the problem has been there all along!
Is there a KB-article on this or something else I can track awaiting a
solution? Perhaps Vista SP1? (I could not easily find something)
Wytze

Ramesh, MS-MVP

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 8:16:48 AM10/4/07

to

Click Start, "Default Programs"
Click "Associate a file type or protocol..."
Select .PDF from the list and click "Change program..."
Select "Adobe Reader 8.1" (do this even if it's already the default handler for PDFs)
Click OK

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

"Wytze" <wytze.re...@hoogslag.dot.com> wrote in message news:909F74D0-3D9C-4F3B...@microsoft.com...

Wytze

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 1:27:05 PM10/4/07

to

Dear Ramesh,

Followed your suggestions, als without postive results:
- verified that clicking a pdf file in windows explorer trigger Acrobat
reader (OK)
- checked in Acrobat reader that the current version is 8.1.0 (OK)
- opened default programs /associate ...
- select .pdf
- verified that current association is 'Acrobat Reader 8.0' (OK)
- using change program button to point to 'AcroRd32.exe' (OK)
- noted that name still appears as ''Acrobat Reader 8.0'
- closed windows
Unfortunately, still the problem exists unchanged.

Did I take a wrong turn?

Wytze

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 3:42:55 PM10/4/07

to

Ramesh, over the past 8 months we have had many people try what you
suggested, but it does not seem to work for .PDF attachments.

--
Gary VanderMolen [MS MVP-WLM]

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" <ram...@XOX.mvps.org> wrote in message news:%23vG5pBo...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Ramesh, MS-MVP

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 11:32:36 PM10/4/07

to

Hi Wytze,

Try this:

1. Download FileExtInfo.zip from here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/fileextinfo.htm

2. Unzip the utility and extract the files to Desktop.
3. Double-click "FileExtInfo.exe" to run it.
4. Select ".PDF" from the list
5. Click "View file association report"
6. Copy the contents of the report and include it in your reply.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

"Wytze" <wytze.re...@hoogslag.dot.com> wrote in message news:0D105751-B446-46E6...@microsoft.com...

Ramesh, MS-MVP

unread,

Oct 4, 2007, 11:33:08 PM10/4/07

to

Hopefully we can crack it this time, Gary :)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

"Gary VanderMolen" <ga...@NoMail.invalid> wrote in message news:uOXDh7rB...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

Wytze

unread,

Oct 6, 2007, 3:53:03 AM10/6/07

to

Hi Ramesh,

Downloaded the tool and ran it (albeit not from the desktop), here is the
result:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
File association information for [.PDF] file type
Generated by FileExtInfo v2.0 on 6-10-2007 9:42:15

FileExtInfo © 2005-2007 Ramesh Srinivasan.
Homepage: http://www.winhelponline.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF]
@="pdf_auto_file"
"Content Type"="application/pdf"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\OpenWithList]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\OpenWithList\AcroRd32.exe]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\PersistentHandler]
@="{F6594A6D-D57F-4EFD-B2C3-DCD9779E382E}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\ShellEx\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_auto_file]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_auto_file\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_auto_file\shell\Read]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_auto_file\shell\Read\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Adobe\\Reader 8.0\\Reader\\AcroRd32.exe\" \"%1\""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\OpenWithList]
"a"="AcroRd32.exe"
"MRUList"="acb"
"b"="ieuser.exe"
"c"="WinMail.exe"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\OpenWithProgids]
"AcroExch.Document"=hex(0):
"pdf_auto_file"=hex(0):

Interested if this gives a clue!

Rgds, Wytze

Ramesh, MS-MVP

unread,

Oct 6, 2007, 4:43:44 AM10/6/07

to

Wytze,

Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to the following key:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF]

Double-click the (default) value set its data as:

"AcroExch.Document" (without quotes)

Close Regedit.exe

Restart Windows.

If the problem persists, post a fresh log.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

"Wytze" <wytze.re...@hoogslag.dot.com> wrote in message news:04749657-F064-44A9...@microsoft.com...

Wytze

unread,

Oct 6, 2007, 10:46:01 AM10/6/07

to

Hi Ramesh,

Using regedit I modified the key's default value as suggested below.

And... Presto! I can open a pdf document from within Windows Mail [again]!

Thanks for looking into the issue and providing a solution.

Lastly:
What did this changed kay value 'do'?
(I might learn something from it :-))

Wytze.

Ramesh, MS-MVP

unread,

Oct 6, 2007, 12:52:12 PM10/6/07

to

You're very welcome, Wytze.

>> What did this changed kay value 'do'?

AcroExch.Document is the default ProgID for .PDF, and it was somehow set as "pdf_auto_file" (which is incorrect)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

"Wytze" <wytze.re...@hoogslag.dot.com> wrote in message news:749F43CC-5E02-4EE6...@microsoft.com...

volati...@gmail.com

unread,

Nov 2, 2007, 8:19:01 AM11/2/07

to

THE EASIEST FIX IS AS FOLLOWS:

Download and install FOXIT PDF reader. It's a small, fast and free PDF
reader. (you can uninstall it in a bit if you want...)

When it's installed. Go to Control Panel, and "default programs". Then
click on "Associate a file type or protocol with a specific program"

When the list of file types loads... scroll down for PDF, and double
click to edit the association. Now click on FOX IT as the recommended
program and click OK.

That's it! Problem solved. I don't know what causes this problem - is
Adobe to blame? Or is it Microsoft - either way, this fix is the
quickest way to get functionality back within windows mail to open
PDF's directly.

The great thing about this fix is that, you can go back to re-
associate PDF's with Adobe reader if you want, and it should now work.

Please let me know how you get on, else I'll probably think this post
of mine is in vain.

Cheers.

Dave

unread,

Dec 3, 2007, 5:36:01 AM12/3/07

to

I use PDF Formats quite often within my MS Windows Vista Mail and your
recommendation of FOXIT PDF READER free download corrected my problem of not
being able to open PDF's in MS Mail. I really appreciate your advise.

haydnjones

unread,

May 9, 2008, 4:50:55 AM5/9/08

to

What should this value be changed to?

> Double-click the (default) value set its data as:
>
>

> Close Regedit.exe

Blank?

> AcroExch.Document is the default ProgID for .PDF,

> and it was somehow set =

> as "pdf_auto_file" (which is incorrect)

I have a customer with the same problem, any MSKB about it? Her regedit has 'pdf_auto_file' as the entry. Have tried all sorts of things to fix this (like Wytze) but Ramesh's first post is missing something regarding the correct entry! (Have tried it blank incase that was it!)

Any help greatly appreciated!

mac

unread,

May 9, 2008, 6:14:58 AM5/9/08

to

> I have a customer with the same problem, any MSKB about it? Her regedit
> has 'pdf_auto_file' as the entry. Have tried all sorts of things to fix
> this (like Wytze) but Ramesh's first post is missing something regarding
> the correct entry! (Have tried it blank incase that was it!)
>
> Any help greatly appreciated!

See:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/236/1/Unable-to-open-PDF-attachments-from-Windows-Mail.html

--
Regards Steve.
MS-MVP. OE. [DTS]
http://www.getsafeonline.org/

haydnjones

unread,

May 9, 2008, 7:50:53 AM5/9/08

to

Sorry, quoted parts of my message missing.

What should the registry entry mentioned be changed to?

Machine has Vista SP1 on it.

mac

unread,

May 9, 2008, 8:09:36 AM5/9/08

to

<Haydn Jones> wrote in message news:20085975...@gotadsl.co.uk...

> Sorry, quoted parts of my message missing.
>
> What should the registry entry mentioned be changed to?
>
> Machine has Vista SP1 on it.

See:

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.windows.vista.mail/browse_thread/thread/2ac95c47bcf3cfad/1fe999d1255f36f2?hl=en&lnk=st&q=#1fe999d1255f36f2

--
Regards Steve.
MS-MVP. MAIL. [DTS]
http://www.getsafeonline.org/

milanilic

unread,

May 9, 2008, 1:31:39 PM5/9/08

to

I've made some registry changes and my pdf files open in Acrobat
Professional 8.

The registry entries are as below:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF]
@="AcroExech.Document"
"Content Type"="application/pdf"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\OpenWithList]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\OpenWithList\Acrobat.exe]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\PersistentHandler]
@="{F6594A6D-D57F-4EFD-B2C3-DCD9779E382E}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\ShellEx\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\OpenWithList]

"MRUList"="acbd"
"d"="Acrobat Elements.exe"
"a"="Acrobat.exe"
"b"="AcroRd32.exe"
"c"="firefox.exe"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\OpenWithProgids]

"pdf_auto_file"=hex(0):
"AcroExch.Document"=dword:00000000
"AcroExech.Document"=hex(0):

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\UserChoice]
"Progid"="AcroExch.Document"

Hope it helps.

--
milanilic

MikeJS

unread,

Aug 11, 2008, 4:45:01 PM8/11/08

to

I followed the thread here and checked my Registry and it does have the
proper default association. I do have Reader installed and can open the
document if I save it off and then open it. So the registry fix will not do
anything for me. Other suggestions?

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Aug 11, 2008, 5:32:42 PM8/11/08

to

Try this fix:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/236/1/Unable-to-open-PDF-attachments-from-Windows-Mail.html

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)

"MikeJS" <Mik...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7D2C76AB-CAF4-498E...@microsoft.com...

mharoldsewell

unread,

May 24, 2009, 9:38:15 AM5/24/09

to

I found a fix to this problem. I am using Vista 32 bit Home Premium.

First uninstall your Adobe Reader.
REBOOT/Restart
Then reinstall your Adobe Reader. I downloaded Acrobat 9 from Adobe.
Reboot/restart your PC.
Associate .pdf files to your Acrobat reader.
DO NOT TRY OPENING a .pdf from a file on your hardrive at this
point...the SEQUENCE is important.
NEXT: Open Windows Mail.
Click on a message that contains a .pdf. Double click the .pdf. It
should open the file now.
Good luck.

--
mharoldsewell
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mharoldsewell's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/100772.htm
View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/windows-vista-mail/828181.htm

http://forums.techarena.in

Rainald Taesler

unread,

May 24, 2009, 12:20:37 PM5/24/09

to

mharoldsewell wrote:

> I found a fix to this problem. I am using Vista 32 bit Home Premium.
>
> First uninstall your Adobe Reader.
> REBOOT/Restart
> Then reinstall your Adobe Reader. I downloaded Acrobat 9 from Adobe.
> Reboot/restart your PC.
> Associate .pdf files to your Acrobat reader.
> DO NOT TRY OPENING a .pdf from a file on your hardrive at this
> point...the SEQUENCE is important.
> NEXT: Open Windows Mail.
> Click on a message that contains a .pdf. Double click the .pdf. It
> should open the file now.
> Good luck.

Thanks for sharing your recipe.

It seems to be a bit complicated.
Normally a simple Repair - called from "Help" in the main menu - does
the job.
Did you try that prior to your radical surgery?

Rainald

Estefanon

unread,

Jul 23, 2009, 6:00:30 PM7/23/09

to

HI!
TEST DO IT.
INSTALL FOXIT PDF READER;
RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON CLICK ON A PDF FILE AND SELECT AS DEFAULT MAKED
FOXIT PDF READER, THEN CLICK OK.
WHEN FILE OPENS, CLOSE THE FILE, OPEN WINDOWS MAIL AND TEST ON ATTACHED
FILE PDF.
GOOD LUCK.

--
Estefanon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estefanon's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/117624.htm

jballem

unread,

Dec 28, 2009, 9:05:24 PM12/28/09

to

I uninstalled Adobe Reader, rebooted, reinstalled Reader 9.2 from
http://get.adobe.com/reader/, set the file association for .pdf. Problem
solved!

--
jballem
------------------------------------------------------------------------
jballem's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/168468.htm

robit

unread,

Jun 15, 2010, 1:40:00 PM6/15/10

to

Wytze;3206742 Wrote:
>
>
> Try this:
>
> 1. Download FileExtInfo.zip from here:
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/fileextinfo.htm
>
> 2. Unzip the utility and extract the files to Desktop.
> 3. Double-click "FileExtInfo.exe" to run it.
> 4. Select ".PDF" from the list
> 5. Click "View file association report"
> 6. Copy the contents of the report and include it in your reply.

Hi, I'm a new italian user :)

Can anybody help me, please?

Here is my result:
-
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF]
@="FoxitReader.Document"
"Content Type"="application/pdf"
"Corel_Original"="FoxitReader.Document"
"Corel_PSPXExt"="PaintShopProX.Image"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\OpenWithList]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\OpenWithList\AcroRd32.exe]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\PersistentHandler]
@="{F6594A6D-D57F-4EFD-B2C3-DCD9779E382E}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.PDF\ShellEx\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]
@="{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF]

@="FoxitReader.Document"
"Content Type"="application/pdf"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\OpenWithList]

"a"="FOXITR~1.EXE"
"MRUList"="jgcbdfiha"
"b"="firefox.exe"
"c"="WinMail.exe"
"d"="PrimoPDF.exe"
"e"="PdfWiz.exe"
"f"="mspaint.exe"
"g"="Foxit Reader.exe"
"h"="chrome.exe"
"i"="iexplore.exe"
"j"="AcroRd32.exe"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\OpenWithProgids]

"FoxitReader.Document"=hex(0):

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.PDF\UserChoice]

"Progid"="Applications\\AcroRd32.exe"-

Thanks for the answers :)

--
robit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
robit's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/232916.htm