Outlook: “Can’t Create File” Error When Opening Attachment

by Mitch

in Office

When you try to open a file attachment in Outlook, you get an error:

Can’t create file: filename. Right-click the folder you want to create the file in, and then click Properties on the shortcut menu to check your permissions for the folder.

This problem occurs usually when Outlook cannot access the temp file the file is linked to. To resolve this problem, try the following steps:

1. Click Start > Run and type regedit.

2. Click Edit > Find and type OutlookSecureTempFolder.

3. When regedit has found the entry, it will tell you where your Outlook temporary files are stored. It will look similar to:

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKrandomnumber

4. Open My Computer and navigate to this location on your hard drive.

5. Delete all of the files in this folder.

6. Restart Microsoft Outlook and you should be able to open your attachment.

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Last modified September 8, 2011

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{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }

Erica April 29, 2013 at 6:55 am

Hi
I did the search for OutlookSecureTempFolder and it could not find anything??? Can anyone offer any other suggestions?

thanks

jerome April 25, 2013 at 6:03 am

Great, it has worked for me too! thank You

lee March 14, 2013 at 6:27 am

“”Hmm.. I found the file location in regedit, but could not navigate to that folder. Under “Local settings” nothing like “temporary internet files”. Neither hidden.”"

means the folder has been deleted, change the location in the reg to point els where like c:\outlooktemp (make sure you also make the folder)

Calvin Naidoo February 8, 2013 at 2:57 am

Hi this has worked out fine for me, but only for a short period of time. I have to repeat this process again and again through the day. Is there no way to increase the size of this folder?

Jay January 17, 2013 at 9:40 am

Thanks, for the solution. It workedout great!!! You are great!

Adi December 5, 2012 at 5:23 am

Thanks. It worked

Sammy December 3, 2012 at 1:35 am

Hmm.. I found the file location in regedit, but could not navigate to that folder. Under “Local settings” nothing like “temporary internet files”. Neither hidden.

Mosab Bawadi December 2, 2012 at 12:05 am

Thanks Man

Graeme R October 23, 2012 at 7:00 am

Brilliant – Worked a treat, thanks very much!

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