Windows Live Mail Won't Open Saved .eml Files in Windows 8

Anonymous
2013-07-17T06:07:00+00:00

Running on Windows 8 with Windows Live Mail.  If you save an email to a file it is saved with an .eml file extension.  These files can then be saved anywhere (i.e. your desktop).

Then when double clicking the file the mail client (Windows Live Mail) would open with the email in the Inbox.  Old Outlook clients worked the same way.  I've had this working AOK with Windows 7 for some time.

With the same scenario under Windows 8 the Windows Live Mail client opens but the email is no where to be found.

The file association is AOK:  .eml = Windows Live Mail  (from File "Set Associations" screen).

Even just saving the email to a file from the client (Windows Live Mail) and then immediately trying to select it again does not work (after deleting the original email from the client).

Windows for home | Other | Email and communications

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Anonymous
2013-07-17T11:54:16+00:00

 Then when double clicking the file the mail client (Windows Live Mail) would open with the email in the Inbox.  Old Outlook clients worked the same way.  I've had this working AOK with Windows 7 for some time.

 

With the same scenario under Windows 8 the Windows Live Mail client opens but the email is no where to be found.

 

The file association is AOK:  .eml = Windows Live Mail  (from File "Set Associations" screen).

 

Even just saving the email to a file from the client (Windows Live Mail) and then immediately trying to select it again does not work (after deleting the original email from the client).

Double clicking the file will open the file.  It will not be in the Inbox.

Windows Live Mail will be partially running.  Access to Windows Live Mail will require starting Windows Live Mail with the shortcut.

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Anonymous
2013-07-28T20:21:18+00:00

I've no idea of the significance of the hash key. I'm fairly sure you don't need it, and it will be entered automatically by the program that does need it when necessary. 

Right-click on the .eml key that's causing problems and select Permissions. Use the Advanced options to give your user account full control of the key. Then try changing the Progid again. If you're still barred, use the advanced options to take ownership of the key.

Ensure also that WindowsLiveMail.Email.1 is listed under OpenWithProgids (with zero-value binary data).

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-19T20:03:16+00:00

    Hi JAO_9999,

    Thanks for posting back. I would like to ask if you can open using another computer the .eml files you saved from your computer. This is to isolate if the issue was with the .eml files or with Mail. In case you can open the .eml files, I would like you to create another user account by following the steps **here** and check if you can open the .eml files there. This is to isolate if the issue was with corrupted Windows User profile.

    Kindly update us afterwards.

    Regards,

    Richard

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-19T09:26:14+00:00

    Hi Leah,

    I tried this from a couple of different directories (folders) containing .eml saved files (the desktop and a temp directory).  Got the same dialog error box both times:

    "No messages can be found or another application is running that has the required files open.  Please select another folder or try closing applications that may have files open."

    Jess

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-19T07:28:27+00:00

    Hi Jess,

    Thank you for your responses.  I understand you are unable to open .eml files on your Windows 8 computer.  Let me assist you.

    To isolate the possibility that Windows Live Mail has been corrupted, please try the following suggestion:

    1.  On Windows Live Mail, click the file icon on the top left corner and choose Import messages.

    2.  Click Windows Live Mail and hit Next

    3.  Click Browse then choose the location where you saved the .eml files, hit Ok

    4.  Click Next then Finish.

    Let us know how things turn out.

    Regards,

    Leah V.

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