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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.
This article and the utility discussed below, are applicable for Windows® Vista systems with Microsoft® Word installed.
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.
Attachments
Related Articles
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52 Responses to "Unable to open .DOC attachments from Windows Mail" 
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said this on 20 Sep 2007 5:15:06 AM PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
Brilliant, months of 'pain' finally repaired! :-)
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said this on 19 Mar 2008 11:14:18 AM PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
The fix worked perfectly. Thanks!
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said this on 05 Apr 2008 9:59:38 AM PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
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 PST
This really works! Thank you for this elegant and simple to use solution (Vista Ultimate and Word 2003).
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said this on 09 Jun 2008 10:51:28 PM PST
It works great. Thanks for the fix.
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said this on 13 Jun 2008 5:24:07 PM PST
Worked for me just fine. Minimum of effort, muss and fuss. Thanks.
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said this on 16 Jun 2008 4:01:37 AM PST
Thank you very much for the fix. It was madning to have this flaw without a solution.
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said this on 16 Jun 2008 8:58:09 PM PST
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Worked like a charm.
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said this on 29 Jun 2008 12:52:02 PM PST
Your fix worked perfectly on Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 and Office Word 2007. Thanks a lot...
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said this on 02 Jul 2008 10:15:04 AM PST
Just tried the 'fix' and it worked!
Makes life much easier - thank you
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said this on 03 Jul 2008 1:39:18 AM PST
Thank you! Too bad it took me so long to find this fix, but all is forgotten now!
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said this on 01 Aug 2008 12:26:37 PM PST
thanks very much. i don't know where you guys who post the answers find the time or the inclination as it would be easier to leave us all struggling - but you don't, which makes you brilliant people. Thank you! Victoria. x
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said this on 08 Aug 2008 9:27:21 AM PST
Thanx a million buddy.
Worked big time :)
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said this on 22 Aug 2008 7:49:08 PM PST
The fix is great, with so many positive responses, Thanks
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said this on 26 Aug 2008 11:01:44 PM PST
Thank you so much. It worked great
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said this on 11 Sep 2008 7:30:08 AM PST
Thanks--worked perfectly--sending a donation-!you earned it more than microsoft. What are they waiting for? service pack 3?
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said this on 11 Sep 2008 10:44:15 AM PST
Thanks a bunch. My wife almost broke the computer out of frustration!!
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said this on 25 Sep 2008 11:41:32 AM PST
I fought this file association from Windows Mail for hours until I found this site.
You're fix worked perfectly, no more pain.
Thanks again.
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said this on 02 Oct 2008 5:31:13 PM PST
Many, many thanks!! I was finally able to help my dad after dealing with this issue for days...
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said this on 05 Oct 2008 6:24:21 PM PST
I have MS works instead of Word, and this same problem occurs. Do you have a fix for Works? or am i sol? =(
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said this on 06 Oct 2008 6:49:04 PM PST
I am also looking for a Works fix.....I am really starting to not like this vista thing....I don't like having to confirm things and continue things....it gets annoying...so if you have an answer for those pop ups....that would be great also!
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said this on 22 Oct 2008 2:56:28 AM PST
I thank you very much , it works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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said this on 23 Oct 2008 1:41:04 PM PST
Great !!!!! in a few seconds I got rid off my frustrations, thanks a lot.
Eindelijk een perfecte oplossing voor een irritant probleem en zelfs simpel uitvoerbaar.
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said this on 27 Oct 2008 7:08:08 AM PST
Thank you!! It works. I'm so glad I found this website. I've been very frustrated by not being able to open documents without first saving them. Wish I'd found this site earlier. Thanks again
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said this on 05 Nov 2008 9:21:10 AM PST
Brilliant utility. Fixed it a treat thanks.
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said this on 05 Nov 2008 1:48:26 PM PST
Thanks alot ^^, it works perfectly
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said this on 07 Nov 2008 3:25:57 PM PST
Wow! Worked quickly and simply. Thank you!
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said this on 12 Nov 2008 7:31:37 AM PST
Thanx!!! Works for me. Easy to use on Vista
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said this on 18 Nov 2008 12:43:56 PM PST
This has been driving me "nuts" since I recently purchased a new laptop which came complete with Windows Vista and this problem at no extra cost!! but your solution works perfect - many thanks, you know ya stuff !
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said this on 24 Nov 2008 12:55:11 PM PST
Did work fine for me. Thanx alot. Brillant
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