Outlook Attachment Not Opening On Double Click: Simplified Guide

  

Rollins Duke   
Published: August 11th, 2025 • 7 Min Read

It can be infuriating when users need to access an important attachment file, but nothing takes place even after double-clicking on it. Such fundamental issues can occur either within Outlook or due to the user’s system configuration. To minimize such contingencies, we will be exploring some of the commonly used techniques that users can check and try out.

Accessing Outlook attachments efficiently is a crucial element of a user’s advanced workflow and communication. However, the issue of Outlook attachment not opening on double-click keeps bouncing back, forming delays and jeopardizing the productivity of professional tasks.

Why Is Outlook Cannot Open Attachments with Double Click?

Such issues could take place for several reasons why Outlook attachment not opening on double click.  Recognizing these central issues is essential for identifying and solving the problems in order to reinstate a dependable experience. Here are a few possible causes:

• File Association Issue: Issues with the type of the file or anything related to the application that can sustain the attachments from opening even after double-clicking it.
• Interruption by Antivirus Software: The Antivirus Software installed on the user’s computer system often impedes with the outlook attachment not opening on double-click.
• Outlook Add-ins Conflict: Another reason why users are unable to open Outlook attachments by double-click is due to the Add-ins in Outlook that often cause conflict with the regular functioning of attachments.
• Outlook Updates: Operating on outdated versions and missing updates highly involves bug fixes and address known challenges, including complications with attachments.
• Short-term Files and Storage Space Issue: There are times when users tend to face issues because of momentary files or limited disk storage that influences the proper operation of attachments.
• Mouse Speed: Users often can’t open attachments in Outlook by double-clicking because the mouse speed is regulated to be high, unable to respond to double-clicks.
• Security Regulations: Certain supervised view and constrained settings can lead to Outlook cannot open attachments with double-click by blocking those attachments.

Manual Ways to Fix Outlook Attachment Not Opening on Double-Click

Here are some manual methods users can try to fix Outlook cannot open attachments with a double click:

1. Clear Non-Permanent Internet Files

Deleting temporary internet files can assist users resolve issues with attachments. Users can easily do this just by following the steps mentioned:

1. Go to “Control Panel” on your computer
2. Select “Internet Options”
3. Next, under the General tab, click on “Delete” or “Clear browsing data”

It is essential to ensure that the user has chosen the option to remove temporary internet files.

2. Change Default Privacy Regulations

Rebooting with the default registry keys and security settings resolves attachment opening issues. To perform the process, users are advised to grasp how default security can be modified with the help of Outlook security registry keys. It is recommended to consult IT support or the Outlook documentation for expected instructions to resolve the “unable to open outlook attachments by double-click”.

3. Disable Antivirus Software

Momentarily deactivating the user’s antivirus software system can benefit them to ascertain if it’s creating interference with the Outlook attachment not opening on double click. Open the antivirus settings and browse for options to disable real-time scanning or temporarily turn off the antivirus program software.

Limitations of Manual Methods:

• Restricted Scope of Troubleshooting: First of all, using manual methods can only address common issues and not the specific reasons behind the problem. This makes the user seek a professional way to specifically resolve their issue.
• Very Time-Consuming: Also, using the manual steps is very complex as well as time, especially if the user does not have the technical knowledge related to the troubleshooting process.
• Provide Temporary Solutions: Traditional techniques may work for short-term complications. However, such approaches are not always ideal for permanent resolution of issues such as Outlook attachments not opening on double click.
• Risk of Damage: Performing manual methods on a regular basis, such as deleting temporary files or altering security protocols, carries a certain level of risk of damaging or losing attachment files.
• Need Technical Knowledge: Last but not least, some of the manual steps demand technical knowledge which limits the non-tech users. Hence, makes the conventional way close to impossible to perform by such users.

Also Read: How to Extract Attachments from Outlook Email Client?

Advanced Characteristics of the Software

The repair tool not only retrieves damaged and corrupted Outlook PST files but also protects the user’s Outlook database from unforeseen viruses and malware attacks.

• Easily recover all Outlook emails, contacts, and calendars, along with their features, after they have been deleted permanently.
• Recover lost Outlook files from corrupted or damaged UNICODE and ANSI PST files effortlessly.
• The PST recovery software imposes no size limitation, making sure that the software can handle any Outlook PST file.
• Repair Outlook data files (.PST) without requiring a Microsoft Outlook installation.
• Restore corrupted Outlook file emails and attachments while creating new PST files per user.
• User-friendly interface with a neat and well-designed layout for hassle-free Outlook recovery.

Steps to Fix “Unable to Open Outlook Attachments by Double-click” Error

Let’s explore the steps to fix the “Outlook attachments not opening on double click” error.

1. Start the process by installing and running the software on your computer. You’ll notice the dual Outlook files selected mode.

   

2. Choose the path of the corrupted PST file either by selecting the file directly or choosing the entire folder.

   

3. Preview the corrupted files that need to be repaired. You can check or uncheck specific files or folders. Once done, click “Next” to proceed.

   

4. Select the desired “file format” to convert the corrupted file into a healthy format. You can also apply filters if you need.

   

5. Finally, select the “destination path” for the repaired file and click on the “Repair” button.

   

Another way to repair this error is by transforming the file itself. In such cases, users can depend on the PST Converter Wizard. This intuitive, user-friendly software allows users to easily convert PST files to other formats and extract specific messages. Additionally, this software also simplifies the procedure of viewing email along with attachments, contacts, images, notes, and the list goes on.

To Conclude

The process becomes frustrating when users can’t open attachments in Outlook by double-clicking. Especially in the case when handling crucial and sensitive emails. While manual methods like deactivating add-ins, altering settings, removing cache, updating email client on a regular basis help resolve simple issues, it does not necessarily guarantee the same in terms of more serious ones like loss or corruption of the data, errors in registry, and software conflicts.

That is why users must opt out for an expert recommended tool to tackle the issue of “Outlook attachments not opening on double-click”. It is important to understand the pros and cons of both solutions available to ensure a streamlined operation and retaining such issues in the future.