Cannot Open PDF Attachments in Outlook 2016 – Fix and Preview Solution

Unlock the potential of your Outlook 2016 experience as we unravel the mystery behind opening PDF attachments. Discover the ultimate fix and preview solution to overcome this frustrating hurdle, allowing you to seamlessly access and explore your PDF files with ease.

Possible Reasons for PDF Attachments Not Opening in Outlook

If you are experiencing issues with opening PDF attachments in Outlook 2016, there could be several reasons behind it. One common reason is the absence of a PDF viewer or reader on your system. To resolve this, you can download and install a PDF viewer like Adobe Reader. Another reason could be a problem with the PDF previewer in Outlook.
To fix this, you can try resetting the previewer settings. If these methods don’t work, it could be due to compatibility issues with the PDF file or a problem with the attachment itself. In such cases, you can try saving the attachment to your computer and then opening it using a PDF viewer. Remember to exercise caution when opening email attachments to avoid any potential malware.

Fixes for Unable to Open PDF Attachments in Outlook

• Check your Adobe Acrobat Reader version: Ensure that you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
• Disable Protected View: Open Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced), and uncheck the “Enable Protected View for Outlook Attachments” option.
• Reset the default PDF viewer: Open Control Panel, go to Default Programs > Set Default Programs, select Adobe Acrobat Reader, and click on “Set this program as default.”
• Clear temporary files: Open File Explorer, navigate to the temporary files folder (usually located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Temp), and delete all files in the folder.
• Disable Outlook add-ins: In Outlook, go to File > Options > Add-Ins, select “COM Add-ins” from the drop-down menu, and uncheck any unnecessary add-ins.
• Repair Adobe Acrobat Reader installation: Open Control Panel, go to Programs > Programs and Features, select Adobe Acrobat Reader, and click on “Repair.”
  
• Run Outlook in safe mode: Press the Windows key + R, type “outlook.exe /safe” (without quotes), and press Enter to open Outlook in safe mode. Try opening PDF attachments again.
• Disable antivirus software temporarily: Temporarily disable your antivirus software and then try opening PDF attachments in Outlook.
• Update Outlook: Make sure you have the latest updates for Outlook installed. Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
• Seek professional help: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to technical support or an IT professional for further assistance.
  

Opening PDF Attachments with Alternative PDF Reader

If you’re unable to open PDF attachments in Outlook 2016, you can try using an alternative PDF reader to resolve the issue. Here’s how:

1. Download and install a reliable PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit Reader.

2. Once installed, open the PDF reader and set it as the default program for opening PDF files. This can usually be done through the program’s settings or preferences.

3. After setting the alternative PDF reader as the default, go back to Outlook and try opening the PDF attachment again. It should now open with the alternative reader instead of the default Microsoft Outlook preview pane.

By using an alternative PDF reader, you can ensure a more seamless viewing experience for your PDF files in Outlook 2016.

python
import os
import win32com.client

for attachment in attachments:
if attachment.FileName.endswith(".pdf"):
save_path = os.path.join(os.path.expanduser("~"), "Downloads")
attachment.SaveAsFile(os.path.join(save_path, attachment.FileName))
os.startfile(os.path.join(save_path, attachment.FileName))


This code uses the `pywin32` library to interact with the Outlook application and extract attachments from the latest received email. It then saves any PDF attachments to the specified `Downloads` folder and opens them using the default PDF viewer associated with the operating system.

Remember to install the `pywin32` library before running this code by executing `pip install pywin32` in your Python environment.

Please note that this code is a basic example and may require modifications to suit your specific needs or to be integrated into a larger application.

Steps to Resolve PDF Attachments Not Opening in Outlook

• Check PDF File Association: Ensure that PDF files are associated with Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.
• Update Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader: Download and install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader to ensure compatibility with Outlook 2016.
• Disable Protected View: Disable the Protected View feature in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader settings to prevent conflicts with Outlook.
• Clear Temporary Files: Delete temporary files in the Outlook Temp folder to resolve any file corruption issues that may be preventing PDF attachments from opening.
  
• Verify Outlook Trust Center Settings: Ensure that Outlook’s Trust Center settings allow the opening of PDF attachments.
• Disable Antivirus or Firewall: Temporarily disable antivirus software or firewall settings that may be blocking the opening of PDF attachments in Outlook.
  
• Repair Outlook Data Files: Use the built-in Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe) to repair any corrupted Outlook data files that may be affecting the opening of PDF attachments.
• Repair Microsoft Office: Run the Microsoft Office Repair tool to fix any issues with the Office installation that may be causing problems with PDF attachments in Outlook.
• Try a Different PDF Reader: If all else fails, try using an alternative PDF reader application to open the attachments in Outlook.

Tips to Save PDF Attachments from Mac Outlook

Aidan Dunshea