Windows Mail attachments won't open after installing IE8

I'm experiencing what sounds like the same problem and am running out of
patience with IE and Vista mail.

After installing IE8, I get the terse message "the command was unable to
execute" when opening attachments in Windows Mail.

I've been using IE as my default browser and winmail for default pop client
for so years. My workaround will soon be to find new defaults that work
together better (or at least don't trip each other up) and I won't be coming
back unless I run into a equally annoying problem.


"Steve Cochran" <scochran@oehelp.com> wrote in message
news:eNygjr0vJHA.3480@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Well, the jpg images displayed below the messages, so I assumed they were
> being opening okay, and I was able to open them from the message.
>
> We need more data to determine if it is a TIF corruption issue, so moving
> the TIF is an option to test that.
>
> steve
>
> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
> news:O3dBbafvJHA.4324@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Thanks for your efforts, Steve.
>>
>> You say that after installing IE8 you could *SAVE* the attachments.
>> *Saving* is no problem. *Opening* the JPGs is the problem.
>>
>> Yes, the problem is placing the temporary files in a location where they
>> can be opened.
>>
>> As said before: Deleting the "Content.IE5" directories (where WinMail
>> places the temporary files) is a remedy for a certain while.
>> But the problem comes back.
>>
>> I'll try out your suggestion.
>> But I think that I'll better make a fresh install and/or retire the
>> system partition from an older image as on testing things meanwhile I
>> have deleted the "Content.IE5" directories several times."
>>
>> I'll report, possibly after the weekend.
>>
>> Thanks again
>> Rainald
>>
>> Steve Cochran wrote:
>>
>>> Okay, I did a clean install of Vista with SP1 and then updated it
>>> completely via WinUpdate. Then I checked WinMail and it could open
>>> and save attachments (jpg and pdf (well, it couldn't open pdf because
>>> Acrobat reader wasn't installed, but it could save it). Then I
>>> installed IE8 and used it a bit and then could still save attachments
>>> in WinMail with no problems.
>>>
>>> So I'd guess that the TIF got corrupted. The way we used to fix it
>>> was to move it, so you can try that. In IE go to Tools | Options |
>>> settings | Move folder and then change the TIF location to somewhere
>>> within the user space such as a new directory under Documents. Then
>>> reboot and see if the problems are rectified. I think that used to
>>> fix similar problems with OE5 or 4.
>>>
>>> steve
>>>
>>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>>> news:%23Wt9yCRvJHA.1300@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Steve Cochran schrieb:
>>>>
>>>>>>> My guess is that the permissions for the TIF changed with IE8 and
>>>>>>> excluded OE. You might try taking ownership of the Content.IE5
>>>>>>> directory and then see if that makes any difference if you still
>>>>>>> have a problem with the other machines.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for yoir suggestion, Steve.
>>>>>> The properties dialog for the "Content.UE5" directory - which has
>>>>>> the attributes "system" and "hidden" - does not show the secirity
>>>>>> and ownership dialogs, I can check thins there.
>>>>>> But as I have the ownership for the directory above
>>>>>> (%localappdata%\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files") O
>>>>>> shoild be the owner there too.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Might it have to do with the "integritylevel"?
>>>>>> Should I play with ICACLS?
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't know. When I get a chance I'll install the thing and see
>>>>> what I can break.
>>>>
>>>> Would be really nice!
>>>>
>>>> TIA
>>>> Rainald
>>
>>
>

Hill,
do you receive the error with all kinds of attachments or with certain
file types only?

Which type of error message it?
Does it come from an apllication (f.e. Word or Adobe Reader)?
What is said in the msg's titlebar/header?

Rainald

Bill Toupee wrote:

> I'm experiencing what sounds like the same problem and am running out
> of patience with IE and Vista mail.
>
> After installing IE8, I get the terse message "the command was unable
> to execute" when opening attachments in Windows Mail.

> I've been using IE as my default browser and winmail for default pop
> client for so years. My workaround will soon be to find new defaults
> that work together better (or at least don't trip each other up) and
> I won't be coming back unless I run into a equally annoying problem.
>
>
> "Steve Cochran" <scochran@oehelp.com> wrote in message
> news:eNygjr0vJHA.3480@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Well, the jpg images displayed below the messages, so I assumed they
>> were being opening okay, and I was able to open them from the
>> message.
>>
>> We need more data to determine if it is a TIF corruption issue, so
>> moving the TIF is an option to test that.
>>
>> steve
>>
>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>> news:O3dBbafvJHA.4324@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Thanks for your efforts, Steve.
>>>
>>> You say that after installing IE8 you could *SAVE* the attachments.
>>> *Saving* is no problem. *Opening* the JPGs is the problem.
>>>
>>> Yes, the problem is placing the temporary files in a location where
>>> they can be opened.
>>>
>>> As said before: Deleting the "Content.IE5" directories (where
>>> WinMail places the temporary files) is a remedy for a certain while.
>>> But the problem comes back.
>>>
>>> I'll try out your suggestion.
>>> But I think that I'll better make a fresh install and/or retire the
>>> system partition from an older image as on testing things meanwhile
>>> I have deleted the "Content.IE5" directories several times."
>>>
>>> I'll report, possibly after the weekend.
>>>
>>> Thanks again
>>> Rainald
>>>
>>> Steve Cochran wrote:
>>>
>>>> Okay, I did a clean install of Vista with SP1 and then updated it
>>>> completely via WinUpdate. Then I checked WinMail and it could open
>>>> and save attachments (jpg and pdf (well, it couldn't open pdf
>>>> because Acrobat reader wasn't installed, but it could save it).
>>>> Then I installed IE8 and used it a bit and then could still save
>>>> attachments in WinMail with no problems.
>>>>
>>>> So I'd guess that the TIF got corrupted. The way we used to fix it
>>>> was to move it, so you can try that. In IE go to Tools | Options |
>>>> settings | Move folder and then change the TIF location to
>>>> somewhere within the user space such as a new directory under
>>>> Documents. Then reboot and see if the problems are rectified. I
>>>> think that used to fix similar problems with OE5 or 4.
>>>>
>>>> steve
>>>>
>>>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>>>> news:%23Wt9yCRvJHA.1300@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Steve Cochran schrieb:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My guess is that the permissions for the TIF changed with IE8
>>>>>>>> and excluded OE. You might try taking ownership of the
>>>>>>>> Content.IE5 directory and then see if that makes any
>>>>>>>> difference if you still have a problem with the other machines.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for yoir suggestion, Steve.
>>>>>>> The properties dialog for the "Content.UE5" directory - which
>>>>>>> has the attributes "system" and "hidden" - does not show the
>>>>>>> secirity and ownership dialogs, I can check thins there.
>>>>>>> But as I have the ownership for the directory above
>>>>>>> (%localappdata%\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files") O
>>>>>>> shoild be the owner there too.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Might it have to do with the "integritylevel"?
>>>>>>> Should I play with ICACLS?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't know. When I get a chance I'll install the thing and see
>>>>>> what I can break.
>>>>>
>>>>> Would be really nice!
>>>>>
>>>>> TIA
>>>>> Rainald

Better yet:

1. Disable your anti-virus application, any real-time protections afforded
by any anti-spyware applications (except Defender), and your third-party
firewall, enable the Windows Firewall, close all open applications
(including Windows Mail) and uninstall IE8.

2. Reboot twice.

3. Disable your anti-virus application, any real-time protections afforded
by any anti-spyware applications (except Defender), and your third-party
firewall, enable the Windows Firewall, close all open applications
(including Windows Mail) and reinstall IE8.

4. Reboot twice, then run Windows Update manually to make sure the machine's
fully patched.

No-charge support for Internet Explorer 8 installation, set-up and usage
(only) is available via the phone based on your locale through 31 December
2009. Customers must be running Windows XP or Windows Vista in a non-domain
environment.
=> US & CA Residents: 1-866-234-6020
=> Other locales: https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...px?&prid=13043
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Bill Toupee wrote:
> I'm experiencing what sounds like the same problem and am running out of
> patience with IE and Vista mail.
>
> After installing IE8, I get the terse message "the command was unable to
> execute" when opening attachments in Windows Mail.
>
> I've been using IE as my default browser and winmail for default pop
> client
> for so years. My workaround will soon be to find new defaults that work
> together better (or at least don't trip each other up) and I won't be
> coming
> back unless I run into a equally annoying problem.
<snip>

Give Windows Live Mail a try. At least it will import all your WM data
automatically:

http://download.live.com/wlmail

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"Bill Toupee" <bill@toupee.com> wrote in message news:lc4Gl.61993$TD1.18222@newsfe18.iad...
> I'm experiencing what sounds like the same problem and am running out of
> patience with IE and Vista mail.
>
> After installing IE8, I get the terse message "the command was unable to
> execute" when opening attachments in Windows Mail.
>
> I've been using IE as my default browser and winmail for default pop client
> for so years. My workaround will soon be to find new defaults that work
> together better (or at least don't trip each other up) and I won't be coming
> back unless I run into a equally annoying problem.
>
>
> "Steve Cochran" <scochran@oehelp.com> wrote in message
> news:eNygjr0vJHA.3480@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Well, the jpg images displayed below the messages, so I assumed they were
>> being opening okay, and I was able to open them from the message.
>>
>> We need more data to determine if it is a TIF corruption issue, so moving
>> the TIF is an option to test that.
>>
>> steve
>>
>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>> news:O3dBbafvJHA.4324@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Thanks for your efforts, Steve.
>>>
>>> You say that after installing IE8 you could *SAVE* the attachments.
>>> *Saving* is no problem. *Opening* the JPGs is the problem.
>>>
>>> Yes, the problem is placing the temporary files in a location where they
>>> can be opened.
>>>
>>> As said before: Deleting the "Content.IE5" directories (where WinMail
>>> places the temporary files) is a remedy for a certain while.
>>> But the problem comes back.
>>>
>>> I'll try out your suggestion.
>>> But I think that I'll better make a fresh install and/or retire the
>>> system partition from an older image as on testing things meanwhile I
>>> have deleted the "Content.IE5" directories several times."
>>>
>>> I'll report, possibly after the weekend.
>>>
>>> Thanks again
>>> Rainald
>>>
>>> Steve Cochran wrote:
>>>
>>>> Okay, I did a clean install of Vista with SP1 and then updated it
>>>> completely via WinUpdate. Then I checked WinMail and it could open
>>>> and save attachments (jpg and pdf (well, it couldn't open pdf because
>>>> Acrobat reader wasn't installed, but it could save it). Then I
>>>> installed IE8 and used it a bit and then could still save attachments
>>>> in WinMail with no problems.
>>>>
>>>> So I'd guess that the TIF got corrupted. The way we used to fix it
>>>> was to move it, so you can try that. In IE go to Tools | Options |
>>>> settings | Move folder and then change the TIF location to somewhere
>>>> within the user space such as a new directory under Documents. Then
>>>> reboot and see if the problems are rectified. I think that used to
>>>> fix similar problems with OE5 or 4.
>>>>
>>>> steve
>>>>
>>>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>>>> news:%23Wt9yCRvJHA.1300@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Steve Cochran schrieb:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My guess is that the permissions for the TIF changed with IE8 and
>>>>>>>> excluded OE. You might try taking ownership of the Content.IE5
>>>>>>>> directory and then see if that makes any difference if you still
>>>>>>>> have a problem with the other machines.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for yoir suggestion, Steve.
>>>>>>> The properties dialog for the "Content.UE5" directory - which has
>>>>>>> the attributes "system" and "hidden" - does not show the secirity
>>>>>>> and ownership dialogs, I can check thins there.
>>>>>>> But as I have the ownership for the directory above
>>>>>>> (%localappdata%\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files") O
>>>>>>> shoild be the owner there too.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Might it have to do with the "integritylevel"?
>>>>>>> Should I play with ICACLS?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't know. When I get a chance I'll install the thing and see
>>>>>> what I can break.
>>>>>
>>>>> Would be really nice!
>>>>>
>>>>> TIA
>>>>> Rainald
>>>
>>>
>>
>

Move the location of the TIF and see if that fixes it.

steve

"Bill Toupee" <bill@toupee.com> wrote in message
news:lc4Gl.61993$TD1.18222@newsfe18.iad...
> I'm experiencing what sounds like the same problem and am running out of
> patience with IE and Vista mail.
>
> After installing IE8, I get the terse message "the command was unable to
> execute" when opening attachments in Windows Mail.
>
> I've been using IE as my default browser and winmail for default pop
> client for so years. My workaround will soon be to find new defaults that
> work together better (or at least don't trip each other up) and I won't be
> coming back unless I run into a equally annoying problem.
>
>
> "Steve Cochran" <scochran@oehelp.com> wrote in message
> news:eNygjr0vJHA.3480@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Well, the jpg images displayed below the messages, so I assumed they were
>> being opening okay, and I was able to open them from the message.
>>
>> We need more data to determine if it is a TIF corruption issue, so moving
>> the TIF is an option to test that.
>>
>> steve
>>
>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>> news:O3dBbafvJHA.4324@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Thanks for your efforts, Steve.
>>>
>>> You say that after installing IE8 you could *SAVE* the attachments.
>>> *Saving* is no problem. *Opening* the JPGs is the problem.
>>>
>>> Yes, the problem is placing the temporary files in a location where they
>>> can be opened.
>>>
>>> As said before: Deleting the "Content.IE5" directories (where WinMail
>>> places the temporary files) is a remedy for a certain while.
>>> But the problem comes back.
>>>
>>> I'll try out your suggestion.
>>> But I think that I'll better make a fresh install and/or retire the
>>> system partition from an older image as on testing things meanwhile I
>>> have deleted the "Content.IE5" directories several times."
>>>
>>> I'll report, possibly after the weekend.
>>>
>>> Thanks again
>>> Rainald
>>>
>>> Steve Cochran wrote:
>>>
>>>> Okay, I did a clean install of Vista with SP1 and then updated it
>>>> completely via WinUpdate. Then I checked WinMail and it could open
>>>> and save attachments (jpg and pdf (well, it couldn't open pdf because
>>>> Acrobat reader wasn't installed, but it could save it). Then I
>>>> installed IE8 and used it a bit and then could still save attachments
>>>> in WinMail with no problems.
>>>>
>>>> So I'd guess that the TIF got corrupted. The way we used to fix it
>>>> was to move it, so you can try that. In IE go to Tools | Options |
>>>> settings | Move folder and then change the TIF location to somewhere
>>>> within the user space such as a new directory under Documents. Then
>>>> reboot and see if the problems are rectified. I think that used to
>>>> fix similar problems with OE5 or 4.
>>>>
>>>> steve
>>>>
>>>> "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de> wrote in message
>>>> news:%23Wt9yCRvJHA.1300@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Steve Cochran schrieb:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My guess is that the permissions for the TIF changed with IE8 and
>>>>>>>> excluded OE. You might try taking ownership of the Content.IE5
>>>>>>>> directory and then see if that makes any difference if you still
>>>>>>>> have a problem with the other machines.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for yoir suggestion, Steve.
>>>>>>> The properties dialog for the "Content.UE5" directory - which has
>>>>>>> the attributes "system" and "hidden" - does not show the secirity
>>>>>>> and ownership dialogs, I can check thins there.
>>>>>>> But as I have the ownership for the directory above
>>>>>>> (%localappdata%\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files") O
>>>>>>> shoild be the owner there too.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Might it have to do with the "integritylevel"?
>>>>>>> Should I play with ICACLS?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't know. When I get a chance I'll install the thing and see
>>>>>> what I can break.
>>>>>
>>>>> Would be really nice!
>>>>>
>>>>> TIA
>>>>> Rainald
>>>
>>>
>>
>