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
    2013-07-28T02:33:42+00:00

    My Windows 7 & 8 HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.eml\UserChoice Progid key shows WindowsLiveMail.Email.1

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-27T05:15:48+00:00

    Hi JAO\_9999,

    Thank you for your responses. We apologize for the inconvenience this issue has caused you.

    I have escalated to our Support Specialist so they can investigate the issue for you.

    Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide an exact timeframe as to when it will be fixed.  Rest assured we will update this thread of the results of the investigation. 

    Regards,

    Leah V.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-26T21:08:51+00:00

     HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.eml\UserChoice is as follows:

     

     

     

    OK. What I would expect to see there is the filetype corresponding to .eml.

    Under OpenWithProgids I would expect to see at least a value WindowsLiveMail.Email.1 with zero binary data and, under UserChoice\Progid the same (WindowsLiveMail.Email.1) as data:

    Since this is a user choice, it shouldn't hurt (a) to add the OpenWithProgid value if it's not there, and then change the UserChoice\Progid from Applications\wlmail.exe to WindowsLiveMail.Email.1. You'd have to reboot after making these changes to make them stick. Be sure to export the .eml key first so you can re-instate it if the change didn't help. 

    I'm not sure, but I suspect that if there is a UserChoice, Windows will use that rather than look up the correct procedure in HKCR. If that's true, then a command to open an .eml file would (in your case) simply invoke wlmail.exe with no parameters, which is the behaviour you're seeing.

    If you would be so kind as to explain how to "... deny access to Outlook while we sort this out." I would be happy to do that.

    I can't tell you precisely, because the Set program access and computer defaults applet may be different in W8. However, you showed the Microsoft Windows section of the applet; if there's a Customsection, select that. That's where you should be able to select 'Windows Live Mail' and disable access for 'Outlook' under Choose a default email program.

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