Hello, new to the forums. Longtime Avast user with first problem encountered.
Running Windows XP, Outlook 2010, using Avast Free Antivirus. On or about 12/25/2017, I received a notification from Avast to update my Avast engine virus definitions and program. I have received this notification before and updates completed with no problem. However, this time, as soon as all the Avast updates were completed, I am no longer able to open any attachments in email. Any attempt to access the attachment locks up Outlook completely. I can’t open the attachment by clicking on it. I can’t save the attachment. I can’t even close Outlook at this point (it encounters an error and can’t close). All I can do it completely reboot.
I can attachment files to an email and send them. I can forward an email I received with an attachment successfully. But any attempt to open or save an attachment locks me up.
I tried creating and using a new Outlook profile with no success. I’ve tried temporarily disabling Avast with no success. Any ideas anyone? Thanks,
I had the same problem but it was not caused by updating Avast.
To solve do this:
1 - Set Internet Explorer as your preferred browser
2 - Open Notepad and copy this:
REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ .htm / ve / d htmlfile / F
REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ .html / ve / d htmlfile / F
REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ .shtml / ve / d htmlfile / F
REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ .xht / ve / d htmlfile / F
REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Classes \ .xhtml / ve / d htmlfile / F
3 - Save the file on the Desktop with the name MSO_Hyperliks.CMD
4 - Double click on file
5 - Reset your favorite browser
I’m having the same problem in several clients, but the above solution didn’t work for me. I can confirm that the Outlook 2010 + Windows XP + Avast combination is creating this problem.