Fixing "Command Failed to Execute" on attachments

I have had this trouble sporadically for a while, it seems to have become
worse recently. The workaround I use is to open Mail by going to All
Programs>Windows Mail(right click)"run as administrator">allow. Attachments
of all file types open on double click or shell command. I suspect this is
not anything related to settings in IE8 but a bug in the code itself. I won't
be holding my breath waiting for a fix...

This workaround always works: uninstall IE8. See
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700

Note: Please do not post with your Caps Lock key down.

I have Vista and MSN Premium. I uninstalled IE8 back to IE7 because of the
problem of opening attachments and getting the message "Command Failed to
Execute". I just reinstalled IE8, opened MSN Premium and opened several
attachments without a problem. Does this mean Microsoft has fixed the
problem?

Great solution davidh1, as a comment to yours, I have an HP laptop with a
docking station. The included wireless keyboard woould not allow opening of
attchments when using the remote button to open E-Mail. This happened after
the unstall of IE8. Your suggestion fixed the problem!

So much for my last post. I went back to windows mail with the wireless
button and the atachments will not open as i stated. Tried to use the icon
and they will open. So much for IE 8!

Hello David. I'm having the same "Command Failed, etc." problem. I tried
both your solution fixes and neither worked.

Do you know of another fix?
Thanks.

Your suggestion was the simplest one offered and the only one that worked.
I can't say that opening mail as administrator has cured all of my problems
but it has taken care of everything I've tried so far. I am happy that I
found your note. Slamming Norton or McAfee and installing a free av package
seems to be the only answer one individual has had for almost tow years.
Uninstalling IE8 is much akin to trying to kill a mosquito with a sledge
hammer.

Thanks so much for providing this solution! I have Vista, IE8, and Norton
and was putting off IE8 removal (as others suggested) in hopes for less
involved fix like this. Any idea how value "Start in:" got changed (set to
%UserProfile%), as this was working fine until recently (I get and apply
regular Norton and periodic Windows updates but only added IE8 about a month
ago which is about this time problem started)? I can now open attachments
again from within Windows Mail, so I really appreciate your solution.

I tried this and I still cannot open my attachments.

I hope it continues to work for you. It might however fail again for you in
the future.

normally setting the destination path in the "Start in:" field of the
shortcut used for launching WinMail to either "%UserProfile" or %Temp%
*) cure the problem for most types of files, only JPG and TXT files
still not being OK.

Are you sure you are using the properly edit shortcut?

Clear the temporary Internet files through "Tools | Internet options" in
IE8 and then reboot.

Which types of files can not be opened thereafter?

how about JPG and TXT files?
As to my expierence they still do not work.

Which file types can not be opened?

After the workaround of fixing the path in the "Start in:" field of the
shortcut nirmally all types if files can be opened except JPG and TXT.

As to my experience the problem will remain with JPG and TXT files
whereas all other files can be opened fine after having edit the field.

How about JPG and TXT files?

As to my findings opening WinMail as an administrator is not of help.

After all if the reports we had in here, AntiVirus is not an issue with
the IE8-WinMail bug. It also appears on systems which have never seen
any AV application - f.e. my test machine.
Only PA bear can not give his false assumptions in AV being a part if
the game :-( :-(

The sledge hammer works

What happens?
Which error messages?

Are you sure you are using the right shortcut?

"Raymond" <Raymond@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C604EE19-E251-4174-BABE-8C1CAEAD43E8@microsoft.com...
>
>
> "davidh1" wrote:
>
>> I see lots and lots of discussions. This is EASY to fix.
>>
>> I have Vista & IE8, BTW.
>>
>> click on Start (or the circle thingy for Vista), All Programs and right
>> click Windows Mail (under All Programs, not on the start menu). Select
>> Properties.
>>
>> The value "Start in:" is set to %UserProfile%. This does not work
>> because
>> opening an attachment cannot save the attachment to a temporary file on
>> that
>> folder.
>>
>> I changed it to "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp" and that fixes the
>> problem.
>>
>> You can also just clear the field "Start in:" (remove the value) and that
>> fixes it also.
>>
>> Enjoy.
>>
>> Dave
>
> I tried this but still can't save OR open attachments. Can someone please
> help me??

Did you ensure that the security option to prevent opening or saving
attachments is not selected?
Tools menu>Options>security tab.

What is the file type of the attachment .doc or .pps etc?


--
Regards Steve.
MS-MVP. MAIL. [DTS] UK.
http://www.getsafeonline.org/

What is the exact error message you get when you attempt to
a) open an attachment, and
b) save an attachment?

Also, which antivirus are you running? Some of them cause
problems with Windows Mail.

--
Gary VanderMolen, Microsoft MVP (Mail)
Microsoft MVP Program: http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


"Raymond" <Raymond@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C604EE19-E251-4174-BABE-8C1CAEAD43E8@microsoft.com...
>
> I tried this but still can't save OR open attachments. Can someone please
> help me??

"davidh1" wrote:

> I see lots and lots of discussions. This is EASY to fix.
>
> I have Vista & IE8, BTW.
>
> click on Start (or the circle thingy for Vista), All Programs and right
> click Windows Mail (under All Programs, not on the start menu). Select
> Properties.
>
> The value "Start in:" is set to %UserProfile%. This does not work because
> opening an attachment cannot save the attachment to a temporary file on that
> folder.
>
> I changed it to "%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Temp" and that fixes the
> problem.
>
> You can also just clear the field "Start in:" (remove the value) and that
> fixes it also.
>
> Enjoy.
>
> Dave