How to Fix “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” Error

Microsoft Outlook is one of the best email client software. It can be used for sending and receiving emails. You can even send files using this software as attachments as well. However, sometimes Outlook can run into issues which can cause it to display error messages like “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment”. If you see such an error message then worry not, there are ways through which you can fix “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” error.

The “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” error is generated by MS Outlook when the PST file reaches the limit of its storage capacity. Moreover, this error message can also result because of a corrupt PST file as well. This error indicates that Outlook can’t access the file that is included in the email as an attachment and is thus incapable of opening it.

Part 1: Solution to Fix "Unable to Open Outlook Attachment" Issue

The following two solutions can be used to fix “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” error.

Solution I: If the Temporary Internet Folders are the reason behind the error.

Step 1 Choose the ‘Run’ option after clicking the ‘Start’ button.

Step 2 You will see the REGEDIT.EXT. Choose the ‘Find’ option after clicking the ‘Edit’ button.

Step 3 In the dialog box labeled Find, type OutlookSecureTempFolder.

Step 4 Find the registry key which holds the location of the actual folder.

Step 5 Write down the location of the folder.

Step 6 Enter this location into the Run option and then click OK.

Step 7 The browser is going to open the folder automatically.

Step 8 Erase all the files located in this folder.

Step 9 Attempt to open the inaccessible attachments after reopening your browser.

Solution II: If the default security protocols are the reason behind the error.

Step 1 Choose the ‘Run’ option after clicking the ‘Start’ button. Enter REGEDIT.EXE.

Step 2 If you are asked for the administration password then supply it.

Step 3 Find the registry key which is to be modified after the Registry Editor has opened.

Step 4 Choose the ‘Export’ option after clicking on the ‘File’ menu.

Step 5 You will see the box labeled, Export Registry File. Hit ‘Save’ after picking the destination where the backup is to be restored and the backup file’s name.

Part 2: How to Fix "Unable to Open Outlook Attachment" Issue by Utilizing Third-Party Outlook Repair Tool

All of the solutions that are traditionally used to fix “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” error have limitations and can’t be used for repairing corrupt PST files. If you want to fix this error message then you will have to make use of a third-party Outlook repair tool. There are many such tools on the internet that promise you to fix the errors generated by the Outlook software. However, not many of them can successfully get the job done. Outlook PST Repair is one of the few third-party tools that can repair corrupt PST file in a safe and secure manner. It can help you in fixing all types of Outlook errors in a matter of seconds.

outlook pst repair
  • Recovers all mailbox components within the files such as emails, attachments, contacts, calendar items, journals, notes, etc.
  • Recovers Accidentally Deleted Emails that were purged by mistake or lost due to unplanned system formatting
  • Allows saving recovered mails in EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF formats
  • Supports repair of encrypted & password protected PST files
  • Enables you arrange scanned emails using various criteria such as 'Date', ‘From’, 'To’, 'Subject', 'Type', 'Attachment', and 'Importance'
  • Repairs corrupt Outlook file created in MS Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 (XP), & 2000 and MS Office 2016, 2013, 2010 (64-bit version), 2007 & 2003;Supports Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista.

The following is a step-by-step tutorial that has been designed to provide users of Outlook PST Repair the chance to learn how to repair Attachment from Outlook PST files using this software.

Step 1 With Outlook PST repair tool to recover attachment from Outlook PST files, and search corrupt Outlook PST files.

repair attachment from pst file step 1

Step 2 Select multiple PST files to scan, or select the one you want to recover attachment from PST file.

repair attachment from pst file step 2

Step 3 Double-clicking on the items present on the family tree located to the screen’s left , you can preview the repaired attachment from PST files.

repair attachment from pst file step 3

Step 4 And save the repaired files to you preferred location, and save as different formats.

repair attachment from pst file step 4

So, it is clear that the “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” error occurs because of corruption of the PST files. There are manual methods available that can be used for repairing corrupt PST files and fixing this error. However, since these methods have a limited capability, the use of a third-party repair tool like Outlook PST Repair is necessary to fix “Unable to Open Outlook Attachment” error in an effective manner.

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