Unable to open .DOC attachments from Windows Mail

Symptom

When you attempt to open a .DOC file that came as a mail attachment in Windows Mail, the following error may occur:

This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control panel.

This may happen even though you have Microsoft Word installed. Also, the same file may open correctly when saved to disk and then viewed.

This article and the utility discussed below, are applicable for Windows® Vista systems with Microsoft® Word installed.

Resolution

To fix the problem, download DocFix.zip from the Attachments section below, and save it to Desktop. Unzip the contents (docfix.exe and readme.txt). Open readme.txt to read it. Then run the file DocFix.exe. When you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Important note: After running the fix, in some cases, you'll need to open Start - Default Programs - Associate a file type or protocol... and reset .doc file type association for Microsoft Word even though it's already associated with Microsoft Word.

If that does not fix the problem, see if repairing Microsoft Word helps.

Editor's note: In future I may update this tool so that it works with Microsoft® Works as well. You may visit this page later for any updates.