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- Unable to open .DOC attachments from Windows Mail
Unable to open .DOC attachments from Windows Mail
- Copyright © 2008 Ramesh Srinivasan
- Windows Mail , Error messages
Symptom
When you attempt to open a .DOC file that came as a mail attachment in Windows Mail, the following error may occur:
This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control panel.
This may happen even though you have Microsoft Word installed. Also, the same file may open correctly when saved to disk and then viewed.
Resolution
To fix the problem, download DocFix.zip from the Attachments section below, and save it to Desktop. Unzip the contents (docfix.exe and readme.txt). Open readme.txt to read it. Then run the file DocFix.exe. When you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Important note: After running the fix, in some cases, you'll need to open Start - Default Programs - Associate a file type or protocol... and reset .doc file type association for Microsoft Word even though it's already associated with Microsoft Word.
If that does not fix the problem, see if repairing Microsoft Word helps.
Editor's note: In future I may update this tool so that it works with Microsoft® Works as well. You may visit this page later for any updates.
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Attachments
24 Responses to "Unable to open .DOC attachments from Windows Mail" 
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said this on 20 Sep 2007 5:15:06 AM PDT
This seems like a great fix if it works. It seems like a problem a few people experience and the only other solution seems to be to create a new Windows account.
Why Office does not have this feature built in I cannot understand.
Any idea what usualy causes the problem in the first place?
Also what registry values are being reset?
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said this on 28 Nov 2007 11:38:52 AM PDT
Your utility save me too! Thanks so much. I was unable to associate Winword with .DOC files, and it was maddening. You saved me a great deal of frustration
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said this on 20 Dec 2007 11:42:55 PM PDT
Saved me too great fix to an annoying problem with Windows Mail and .doc files.thx
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said this on 07 Jan 2008 3:45:57 AM PDT
Hi ramesh ,
i tried ur docfix but still i have same problem...
i have MS Word2003 installed.
give me somesolution.
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said this on 07 Jan 2008 5:12:16 PM PDT
When do think you will have a fix that will work in WORKS?
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said this on 21 Apr 2008 11:27:06 AM PDT
Has a solution for opening .doc files in WinMail when I have Works and not Word
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said this on 10 Feb 2008 7:14:47 PM PDT
For me the solution was on site: http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/An-utility-to-unassociate-file-types-in-Windows-Vista.html - works for doc files as well.
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said this on 11 Feb 2008 5:37:24 PM PDT
Great fix. It works perfecty.
Vista OEM NL + Ms Office 2007 home & Student retail NL.
Thanks.
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said this on 24 Feb 2008 10:53:41 AM PDT
I was getting ready to reinstall vista before I discovered this site and your fix. I ran the fix program and about ten seconds later I was able to open word documents from Microsoft mail. I have sent you a $10.00 donation.
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said this on 18 Mar 2008 5:02:15 AM PDT
Brilliant, months of 'pain' finally repaired! :-)
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said this on 19 Mar 2008 11:14:18 AM PDT
Thanks so much! So straightforward, and I'm not especially good with the workings of a computer so I'm chuffed to bits.
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said this on 19 Mar 2008 9:17:41 PM PDT
i am officially your number 1 fan! thankyou so much. this had been driving me craazy. cheers!
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said this on 25 Mar 2008 9:29:55 PM PDT
thanks for the fix - very frustrating. Why hasn't Microsoft dealt with this since it is obviously quite a common issue! aghhhh
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said this on 13 Apr 2008 11:52:45 AM PDT
Microsoft doesn't really care. This is a very small problem for them, they have enough problems getting the OS to run faster. Enough end users error report this and it will be in the next Service Pack.
Windows 7 is going to be what you really want, not Vista.
Windows 7 will look almost exactly like vista too. By the time you are 6 months into Windows 7 you will understand what Vista was all about...
The tuneup for Windows 7.
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said this on 27 Mar 2008 7:06:08 PM PDT
This works perfectly for me. Thank you for making it available.
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said this on 04 Apr 2008 4:05:34 AM PDT
The fix worked perfectly. Thanks!
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said this on 05 Apr 2008 9:59:38 AM PDT
worked greatr, thanks so much. pls document what the program does?
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said this on 07 Apr 2008 4:46:05 AM PDT
Wow, DocFix works. Thanks a ton. I am in the recruitment business and my whole life revolves around mail and docs.. I was really struggling as doc files were not opening from Windows Mail. It works fine now!! Thanks again.
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said this on 29 Apr 2008 10:36:50 PM PDT
Thanks for the fix...I recently had vista o/s installed with office and had this problem...thanks again,
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said this on 07 May 2008 6:47:10 AM PDT
Thank you so much - was really aggravating to not be able to open the doc ext. Ran program and it was instantly fixed. Thanks again.
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said this on 07 May 2008 3:07:56 PM PDT
Many thanks for a great fix ... lots of frustration tonight solved in the end very easily.
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said this on 12 May 2008 4:28:19 AM PDT
This really works! Thank you for this elegant and simple to use solution (Vista Ultimate and Word 2003).
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