E-mail error message

I keep getting the message "this file does not have a program associated with
it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations
control panel."
I am new to computers and this message doesn't help me. I don't know how to
get to the Set Associations control panel or what to do if I did get there.
HELP SOMEONE PLEASE!! I am using Windows Home Vista basic.

"FunkyB" <FunkyB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:28EBEFEE-8728-4FE9-9F08-FF74A6BD98F8@microsoft.com...
>I keep getting the message "this file does not have a program associated
>with
> it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set
> Associations
> control panel."
> I am new to computers and this message doesn't help me. I don't know how
> to
> get to the Set Associations control panel or what to do if I did get
> there.
> HELP SOMEONE PLEASE!! I am using Windows Home Vista basic.

It means Windows Mail doesn't know what program to use to handle
the file. If it's from Outlook, it's probably in the RTF format, which
Windows
Mail can't handle without having Outlook installed on the same computer.
Otherwise, it's probably an attachment, so click on the paperclip at the top
right corner of the message and tell us the file extension - the part of the
file name that starts with the last period.

Once you know what program handles files with that extension, install it
if you don't already have it. Then click on the orb in the lower left
corner,
then Default Programs, then Associate a file type or protocol with a
program, then go down the list to that extension, click on it, then click on
Change program. If the program you want to use is on the list, click on
it; otherwise click on browse, go down the list to the directory containing
the program, doubleclick on it, right click on the program, click on
Select, click on Open, then OK, then Close, then the X in the upper
right corner.