Microsoft Outlook is one of the top relevant desktop email clients which can be synced even with custom webmail.

Opening it with an alternative PDF reader may help

  • There are various reasons why Outlook won’t open a PDF file, and in this guide, we’ll show you how to fix that.

  • The simplest solution would be downloading and using a reliable third-party PDF viewer.

  • Among other solutions, you can try restarting Outlook or scanning the PDF file for malware.

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However, some Windows users reported that Microsoft Outlook won’t open PDF attachments in their emails; this seems to be a general problem.

So, Windows Report has compiled the relevant solutions to this menacing problem.

Why can’t I open a PDF email attachment?

If you find yourself in this situation, it could be because of any of the following reasons:

  • Missing programs – Your computer may not have important programs to open files in PDF format.
  • Outdated applications – Sometimes, you would need updated applications to some PDF formats.
  • Damaged files – It is also likely that your current PDF reader is damaged and will need to be repaired or replaced.
  • Malware infections – There are chances that your antivirus is blocking the attachment because it is infected by malware.

Now that we have spoken about possible causes, we can discuss some accessible alternatives and solutions.

What can I do if I can’t open PDF attachments in Outlook?

Table of contents:

  • Use a PDF reader
  • Scan the PDF
  • Run Windows Update
  • Use the right password
  • Temporarily disable the antivirus protection

1. Use a PDF reader

You may be unable to open a PDF file in Microsoft Outlook directly if you do not have PDF reader software installed on your machine.

Let’s ensure you use the best PDF reader software available on the market. First, check if Adobe Reader isn’t missing.

Having the latest version is also a good idea, so go ahead and download it now, install it and then try opening the PDF attachments again.

2. Scan the PDF

  • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, then select Update & Security.
  • Click on Windows Security and then select the Virus & threat protection option.
  • Select Scan options.
  • Click on Custom scan and click Scan now.
  • Select the folder where the PDF file is located, and click on scan to proceed.

If Outlook won’t open a PDF file, you need to scan it to ascertain whether it is safe for your Windows PC.

Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader is an advanced PDF viewer that lets you easily view any PDF document.

Some PDF files sent to email contain viruses, malware, or even spyware that pose unwanted threats to your system, so be sure to scan it.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the PDF file and select scan with ….(third-party antivirus) to scan the PDF file.

3. Run Windows Update

  • Open the Settings app using Windows + I, then click Update & Security.
  • In the Windows Update windows, click on the Check for updates button.

Microsoft constantly releases frequent patches containing fixes and drivers for your Windows PC. Hence, ensure you’re running the latest OS version on your computer.

This would keep your PC bug-free and help you if Outlook doesn’t open a PDF file.

4. Use the correct password

Some PDF files are encrypted using a password that secures the PDF from unwanted access—for example, bank statements, payment receipts, sensitive files, etc.

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To open this set of files, you need to use the correct password, which is confidential and can only be known by the appropriate individual.

If your PDF file is password-encrypted, you may need to ask for the password to open the PDF file.

5. Temporarily disable the antivirus protection

  • Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
  • Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).
  • Try opening the PDF document again.

Sometimes, antivirus programs can delete or quarantine specific files, patches, or DLLs associated with programs. However, antivirus scanning engines might misinterpret files that can be trusted with potentially harmful packages.

If Outlook won’t open PDF attachments, disabling your antivirus might be a helpful workaround.

Note: After opening the PDF attachments, ensure you enable the antivirus protection afterward.

Please share your experience solving the Outlook won’t open PDF attachments problem. Feel free to comment below in the comment section, and we will get back to you.

If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

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