Going to ask again (can't open attachments)
I'm going to ask this question again. Has anyone seen this? If so, what does it mean? When attaching a pdf or other file to an email, I can't open it to check it before sending.
C:\Users\***\Desktop\*****.pdf could not be opened, because the associated helper application does not exist. Change the association in your preferences.
What is a helper application and how do I fix this?
Thank you
All Replies (8)
Generally, 'helper applications' are defined to the OS, so when thunderbird attempts to open the PDF, the OS's default app is used. My suggestion is to check the OS default for PDF.
Thankyou but this doesn't solve the problem. My default app for .pdf files is correct. The problem occurs when I create a pdf drawing, invoice, etc. and attach it. I typically like to attach the pdf and check it one more time before sending. Thunderbird will not allow me to open the pdf once attached to the outgoing email. This began when upgrading to 15.10.0.
Thank you.
I don't have this problem in Thunderbird 115.10.1 on ubuntu I can see the PDF before sending it. It opens a new tab with the path to the file and "?type=application/pdf" at the end of it.
Maybe this question helps? [to open PDF files in Acrobat Reader DC instead of in a Thunderbird tab]
> My solution for an alternate pdf viewer is Preferences/General/Config Editor search for pdf change the following setting from true to false "browser.pdf.launchDefaultEdgeAsApp" > > Now clicking on the magnifying glass next to the pdf icon I have the traditional "what do you want to do this" dialogue box, allowing me to open it with the basic pdf viewer which provides a print option.
Probably helps to knows the particulars? what is your default app what OS are you using?
Hi tseabrook, I'm have the same issue after Thunderbird update installed. Did you find a solution?
Do you have a setting for PDF in settings>general? That may be the issue, as I am using 128.1.0esr with no difficulty in reading PDF while in compose window,
SCOUSEinOZ I have not. Please let me know if you find any solutions.
David, In my general settings, pdf, spreadsheet, .jpg, etc. are all using the correct applications I selected when setting up my email. I don't think that is the issue. No matter what file type I attach to an email, I am unable to open it once it is attached. My workaround is to go back to the original and check it before hitting send. I have also noticed that when someone sends me a .jpg file, that I am now unable to open it directly from the email window. I must first download the attachment before I can open it. Again, this is a workaround. Thank you for your input.
I admit to having no solutions. If this problem began with a recent upgrade,I suggest downloading a fresh copy and installing over the top of the current installation. If you use an antivirus other than the one that is embedded in Windows, I suggest doing a test by disabling it temporarily. If you use several addons, an option is to click help>troubleshoot mode and restart with addons disabled.