Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n What are Attachments in Outlook?<\/strong><\/p>\n Outlook attachments are attached files that are sent along with an email message. These include documents, PDFs, images, spreadsheets, presentations, ZIP archives, and Outlook data files. Usually, you can open these files directly from Outlook by double-clicking on your attachment. If this feature is not working, Outlook may not be able to open the associated application or to access the attachment correctly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Now, let’s understand what the reasons may be for the Outlook attachment not opening on double click.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There can be several reasons why Outlook attachments do not open on double click. Knowing the exact reason will help you apply the right method and avoid unnecessary things.<\/p>\n 1. Damaged Outlook PST File:<\/strong> Outlook stores your emails, contacts and attachments in the PST file. And if your data file is damaged or corrupted, Outlook may not be able to open the attached files correctly.<\/p>\n 2. Outlook Secure Temporary Folder is Full:<\/strong> Outlook saves attachments in a hidden secure folder before it opens it. If this folder becomes full, Outlook may stop opening attachments when you try to open it.<\/p>\n 3. Antivirus Software:<\/strong> As a security measure, some antivirus apps scan email attachments. Sometimes they may mistakenly block safe and secure attachments due to which you can’t open them.<\/p>\n 4. Outlook add ons:<\/strong> Sometimes third-party Outlook plug-ins can conflict with Outlook\u2019s normal functionality. Issues with an add-in can cause attachments to not open correctly.<\/p>\n 5. Previous Version of the Outlook Application:<\/strong> Older versions of Outlook can also cause compatibility issues. These problems can interfere with opening attachments and prevent the file from opening.<\/p>\n 6. Wrong File Association Settings:<\/strong> File associations in Windows guide which application will open a particular file type. Incorrect settings in Outlook may prevent it from opening attachments.<\/p>\n 7. Corrupted Attachments:<\/strong> If the email and the Outlook application are working fine, the possibility is that the attachment itself is corrupted or incomplete which Outlook cannot open.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n While researching this issue, I came across a support case published by Microsoft. In the case reported, Outlook users were unable to open attachments to emails by double-clicking on them. When i read that document i found that the attachments can be opened if you right click the file and choose Open, but double-clicking did not work as i expected.<\/p>\n Microsoft\u2019s investigation explain that the problem was not caused by corruption in Outlook or damage to the attachment. The problem was not with the mouse settings but the double click speed in Windows was set too fast. This caused Outlook to fail to recognize the double click action correctly.<\/p>\n Microsoft suggests that if you lower the double-click speed of your mouse in Windows Mouse Settings, then you can get rid out of this issue. After the speed reduction, affected users could open Outlook attachments normally by double-clicking them again.<\/p>\n This real-world case is proof that Outlook attachment problems are not always related to PST corruption, Outlook settings, or security restrictions. Sometimes a simple windows configuration can be the root cause of your problem.<\/p>\n Source:<\/strong> Microsoft Learn – “Double-clicking an attachment in Outlook doesn\u2019t open it<\/a>.” Microsoft confirmed that if the mouse double-click speed is set too fast, an attachment won’t open when double-clicked.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This guide covers 5 proven solutions:<\/p>\n Now, let’s understand these methods in more detail;<\/p>\n Outlook attachments not opening is one of the most common Outlook issues. One reason is that the Outlook Secure Temporary Folder is full.<\/p>\n Follow these steps:<\/p>\n 1. First of all, Close the Outlook App completely.<\/p>\n 2. Press Windows + R , type regedit.exe<\/strong> and hit Enter.<\/p>\n 3. Open the registry key for Outlook Secure Temp Folder.<\/p>\n 4. Find the value named OutlookSecureTempFolder.<\/p>\n 5. Copy the folder path displayed in the Data field.<\/p>\n 6. Delete all of the files in that folder.<\/p>\n 7. Close Outlook and re-open.Try to open the attachment again.<\/p>\n Always backup the Windows Registry before making any changes to them.<\/em><\/p>\n Some antivirus apps block Outlook attachments to protect users from malicious files.<\/p>\n What to do then? follow these steps;<\/p>\n Older version of Outlook may create attachment issues.<\/p>\n Steps to Update Outlook;<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Launch Outlook app and then go to the File<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n 2. Choose Office Account<\/strong> and select Update Options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 3. Then, click on Update Now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 5. Reopen Outlook and try to open the attachments again.<\/p>\n Third-party add ons may interfere with the default attachment handling process from Outlook.<\/p>\n Steps to Turn off Add-ins;<\/strong><\/p>\n Now, try to open the attachment again.<\/p>\n If your Outlook PST file is corrupted then Outlook will not able to access the emails and attachments properly.<\/p>\n Repair your PST file if you see the following signs;<\/p>\n Try the Microsoft Inbox Repair Tool<\/a> (SCANPST.EXE). But if the corruption is severe, you may need a professional PST repair solution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If Outlook is not opening attachments due to corrupted PST file then you need to repair the PST file to access the attachments. In such cases, Advik PST Repair Tool<\/a><\/strong> can assist you to repair corrupted PST files and restore mailbox data. The software lets the user extract Outlook email attachments<\/a> separately and save the recovered data without changing the original file.<\/p>\n\n
Why Outlook not Opening Attachments when Double-click?<\/h2>\n
Real User Case of Outlook Not Opening Attachments When Double Click<\/h2>\n
Ways to Fix Outlook Attachments Not Opening When Double Click<\/h3>\n
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Method 1. Remove Outlook Secure Temporary Folder<\/h3>\n
![\"Outlook](\"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/launching-regedit-1.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Outlook](\"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/fix-unable-to-open-outlook-attachments-4.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"can't](\"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/fix-unable-to-open-outlook-attachments-5.webp\")
\nOpen File Explorer and paste in the path.<\/p>\n![\"Outlook](\"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/fix-unable-to-open-outlook-attachments-6.webp\")
<\/p>\nMethod 2. Check the Antivirus Settings<\/h3>\n
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Method 3. Upgrade to the Latest Version of Microsoft Outlook<\/h3>\n
![\"unable](\"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Outlook-update-options-2.png\")
\n4. Install available updates for Outlook.<\/p>\nMethod 4. Disable Outlook Add-ins<\/h3>\n
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Method 5. Repair Corrupted or Damaged PST File<\/h3>\n
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Alternate Way: Recover Attachments from a Corrupted PST File<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Download-Button-e1525685682329.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n