Below is a listing of all the different reasons why you may be unable to open an e-mail attachment.

Unrecognized file format

One of the most common reasons why you can’t open an e-mail attachment is because your computer doesn’t have the necessary program installed to recognize the file format. For example, if someone is sending you a .PSD image file and you don’t have Adobe Photoshop or another program that supports it, the file format cannot be opened.

This page is for people who cannot open an e-mail attachment. If the attachment is missing or not available, see: Why can’t I receive any e-mail attachments?

In this situation, we recommend you have the sender save the file as a different format that the computer supports and re-send the attachment. If you are going to be working with this file format often, install a program or viewer on the computer that supports the file format. Below is a listing of some common file formats sent over e-mail, their file extension, and the programs used to open those files.

Bad file association or problem with program

If the file format is something your computer should be able to open, but it’s not opening correctly, its file format may be associated with the wrong program. Or, the program it’s associated with may be experiencing errors, or was removed. For information about how to view and change file associations, see: How to associate a file with a program in Windows.

For example, let’s say you want to view a PDF document. Many modern web browsers offer their PDF viewer, but this PDF is an attachment sent in an e-mail from a trusted sender. However, you don’t have a PDF viewer, like Adobe Acrobat, installed.

Instead of trying to open the attachment directly from your e-mail client, save the attachment to your computer (e.g., save it to your desktop). Then, right-click the file and under Open with, choose a different program to open the file. If this works and you want the program to always open this type of file, right-click the file and under Open with, choose another app. Check the box Always use this app to open and select the program you want to use and click Ok.

Compressed file

When needing to send multiple files over e-mail, it’s not uncommon to compress all the files into a single compressed file and attach that compressed file to the e-mail. If the file is a .zip, .rar, or another compressed file format, it must be uncompressed before it can be opened.

  • How to extract or decompress a compressed file.

Antivirus program preventing

If you have an antivirus protection program installed on your computer, make sure it is not causing problems with your attachments by temporarily disabling your antivirus.

  • How to disable my antivirus program in Windows.

Sender has an Apple computer and you have a PC

If the e-mail sender uses a Mac computer, and their attached files were not saved in a Windows-compatible format, you may be unable to open the attachment. Make sure the sender of the e-mail knows you’re using Windows if they are sending you an attachment.

Outlook add-ins

If you are using Microsoft Outlook and unable to open attachments, make sure an add-in is not causing the problem. You can disable all add-ins in Outlook by following the steps below.

  • Open Microsoft Outlook.
  • Click File, Options, and then Add-ins
  • Under Manage, click COM Add-ins.
  • Click the GO button next to Manage, then uncheck all the add-ins.
  • Once everything is disabled, click OK.
  • Close Microsoft Outlook, then re-open Outlook to see if the issue is resolved.

Corrupt file

If none of the suggestions above helped determine or fix the problem, it is also possible that the attachment you received is corrupt. Reply to the e-mail asking the sender to verify the attachment works on their computer, and to create a new e-mail and attachment.

  • How to download, open, and save e-mail attachments.
  • How to delete or move e-mail messages.
  • How to send an attachment or photo through e-mail.
  • How to print a picture or attachment sent in e-mail.
  • How to forward or re-send an e-mail message.
  • Where is my e-mail attachment saved after it is opened?
  • How to remove e-mail attachments before sending e-mail.
  • See our attachment definition for further information and related links.
  • E-mail help and support.