Using a program to open email attachments

The reason you only get the message some of the time is that you get different kinds of attachments. File types are identified by their extension--the 3 or 4 characters at the end of their file name, after the dot.

To open an attachment, you have an appropriate program installed for that type of file. So, here are a few examples:

   A .doc or .docx file requires Microsoft Word, or some compatible program.

   An .xls or .xlsx file requires Microsoft Excel, or some compatible program.

   A .wpd file requires WordPerfect or some compatible program.

   A .pdf file requires a pdf reader, (of which there are several).

So at least some of the time, you apparently get attachments for which you don't have an appropriate program installed. Tell us the extensions of those attachment's names, and I or someone else here can tell you what program you need to install to open it.

What type(s) of files?  What is the filename extension (the three characters after the dot)?

Thank you Ken for your reply. You'll have to bear with me on my screen shots as I seldom use them and therefore they may look weird? But, the first screen shot is the box that appears when I try and open the attachment. I click open. I then get the second box and I show the screen shot of it. You can see the options I am given.

I understand your comment about Microsoft Word. And, the individual who sent it, said it was sent using Word. So, I guess my question is. Can I or should I use one of the options that are given to me? Or, should I try and use one of the options you suggest, Ken?

I did not know I had to buy Microsoft Word. Just sort of thought I could download the program and be all set to possibly open the attachments that were sent with it.

   I do agree with you Ken, that as little as I use Word, I shouldn't have to pay for it. So, if I do in fact have to pay for Word to open email attachments and there are alternatives that require no fee, I will employ those free alternatives.

    Looking at the screen shots Ken, and being I receive them via email, which alternative do you suggest? I certainly do appreciate your help and hopefully patience, Ken. Thank you very much.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

If the attachment's file name ended in .doc, it's a Microsoft Word file. The reason you couldn't open it is that you presumably don't have Word installed.

You can't *get* Word to work unless you have it installed.  It doesn't come with Windows; you have to buy it, either by itself or as part of Microsoft Office.

If you don't want to spend the money for Word (and you probably shouldn't, just to open a few attachments), there are several programs that are largely compatible with it that you could use to open the attachments. Two good choices, both free, are LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org) and OpenOffice (https://www.openoffice.org/).

You say "I would like to give you more possible email attachments I couldn't open but, I tend to delete those emails after awhile and being frustrated at how to figure out how do create a program to do so." Post back in the future when you get those attachments, and I or someone else here will help you with them.

You also say "I try to keep as few as programs as possible in my computer as to not slow it down. If in fact that can slow it down? " No, what you have *installed* won't slow the computer down. What you have *running* may slow it down, but even that isn't always true.

Hi Ken,

   Thank you for your reply. Being I am not well versed in computer knowledge I will do my best to explain my situation. First, the answer your question, the attachment I couldn't open had d.doc at the end. I really didn't see a file name other than it said agenda. And, agenda was the content that was in the attachment. Was or is the content that is in the attachment the file name?

   I would like to give you more possible email attachments I couldn't open but, I tend to delete those emails after awhile and being frustrated at how to figure out how do create a program to do so. I try to keep as few as programs as possible in my computer as to not slow it down. If in fact that can slow it down? When I see all the options that can be used, (a program to open attachments) I just don't know which one to pick frankly. Didn't know by looking at the end of the attachment wording I could maybe associate what program to obtain.

    But, now that I know at least one attachment had d.doc, and it was initiated by Microsoft Word, I guess that is a place to start. Can you please help me and explain how I get Microsoft Word to work, Ken? I appreciate your help and patience, Thank you.