This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Opening detached attachments does not work

more options

In the 7x series of Thunderbird and before, detaching attachments did still allow to open them by double clicking or right-click > Open.

In Thunderbird 91, "Open" is still offered for detached attachments (upon right-click) but has no effect. Also, double clicking does not open the attachment. The option to first open the folder and to there open the attachment is not user friendly.

In the 7x series of Thunderbird and before, detaching attachments did still allow to open them by double clicking or right-click > Open. In Thunderbird 91, "Open" is still offered for detached attachments (upon right-click) but has no effect. Also, double clicking does not open the attachment. The option to first open the folder and to there open the attachment is not user friendly.

All Replies (6)

more options

I now have Thunderbird 91.3.0. Still, detached pdf or jpg files don't open - but other detached file types like *.doc or *.docx or *.xlsx do open (and also did in 91.2.x).

What is the difference between detached pdfs (or jpgs) and other documents ? (In the file type settings, I see no difference - all are set to Always ask).

I would really like to continue using Detach and still open documents without going to the folder.

Modified by jochen.peters1

more options

The problem seems to be known also to others: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1738490

Would be nice to solve it.

more options

I would guess that the JPG and PDF file formats are handled internally in Thunderbird. But as the data is no longer in Thunderbird that does not work.

Try specifying an external program to handle those types of attachments in preferences.

more options

That does not work. Specifying Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of "Always Ask" for pdf still does nothing. Specifying Preview in TB works, but I want the attachment to open in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Since the problem is encountered also by others https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1738490 it would be nice to have it solved.

more options

The bug is the canonical topic. Posting here gains nothing as any change will be discussed and recorded there. Not here. I even doubt if the head architect has looked in this forum ion the last 12 months.

more options

OK, so I'll look there and hope for a solution. I hadn't been aware of that forum until some expert sent me the link.

But thanks for trying to help.