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Can't open attachments that I attach to emails I'm creating, but can open them when I receive emails from others.

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  • Last reply by Studly

Studly
Studly
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I have Thunderbird v 115.9.0 running on two PCs (one with Windows 10 the other with Windows 11). On both computers I can no longer open attachments that I attach to emails I'm creating, like I used to. So for instance, if I'm sending someone a PDF or JPG file, and I attache it and want to open the file and double check it before sending, I can't do that. Doesn't work if I right click on it and say "open" or if I double click on it. However if I save it to my Drafts folder first, then I can open the attachments. Likewise I can open the attachments from the Sent folder. And I have no problems opening these types of files when someone sends them to me.

I have Acrobat Reader Pro set to open PDFs, and Photoshop set to open JPGs, and I double checked the settings, and have re-enabled those as the default programs in T-bird's Settings/General/Files and Attachment section.

Any advice on how to fix this?

I have Thunderbird v 115.9.0 running on two PCs (one with Windows 10 the other with Windows 11). On both computers I can no longer open attachments that I attach to emails I'm creating, like I used to. So for instance, if I'm sending someone a PDF or JPG file, and I attache it and want to open the file and double check it before sending, I can't do that. Doesn't work if I right click on it and say "open" or if I double click on it. However if I save it to my Drafts folder first, then I can open the attachments. Likewise I can open the attachments from the Sent folder. And I have no problems opening these types of files when someone sends them to me. I have Acrobat Reader Pro set to open PDFs, and Photoshop set to open JPGs, and I double checked the settings, and have re-enabled those as the default programs in T-bird's Settings/General/Files and Attachment section. Any advice on how to fix this?

All Replies (2)

Matt
Matt
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When you attach a "file" it ceases to exist so far as the email is concerned. It becomes a stream on mime encoded text in the body of your email. Hidden from view, but none the less there. For it to be viewed then that encoded text stream must be decoded, converted into a temporary file and then that temporary file passed to the application that is tasked with opening it. There can obviously be many slips twixt the cup and lip with so many things in play, one of which is antivirus scanners scanning, particularly PDF files, when they are written.

So is it only JPG and PDF files affected or others as well?

Studly
Studly Question owner
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Thanks for your help. Actually I just tried attaching a .DOCX file and some other file formats, and none seem to open after attaching to an email I'm composing. When I double click on them or right click and try "open," nothing happens.