Cannot deselect the option “Always ask before opening this type of file” in latest version of Outlook

Question

In the most recent forced upgrade of Outlook it is no longer possible to deselect the option “Always ask before opening this type of file”.

I have run the program as an Administrator countless times, but when I right click on a PDF attachment in an email and request to Open it, I get the usual Save or Open File dialog box, but the option “Always ask before opening this type of file” remains grayed out and unselectable.

How can this be fixed please, because it is REALLY annoying to have to confirm this every time I open a PDF attachment.

Answer 1

Hi UrkyBear,

Thanks for the quick update, I have tested on the same version of Outlook, and no such issue. Based on your scenario, I recommend you go to control panel to check whether you have set default program for the .pdf file, you could try to change the default program and view if it helps.

1. Type "Control Panel" in the Search box and open Control Panel.
2. Type "Default Programs" in the search box of control panel and select "Associate a file type or protocol with a program".
3. Select "Choose default apps by file type".
4. Scroll down to find the .pdf file, and change the default program to open this type of file.

In addition, I have checked that the version is not up to date, you could also try to update the Outlook version again.

If issue persists, I'd like to confirm:

1. Whether your admin sets certain group policy for your organization recently.
2. Since this kind of client issue might be related to many different factors, we need to collect complete screenshot of your Outlook information, you could refer to the below screenshot. Thanks.

Regards,

Betty

Answer 2

Hi Betty,

I am on version Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft 365 MSO (16.0.12827.20236) 64-bit running on Windows 10 Home version 1909, OS Build 18363.900 installed on an HP Pavilion Desktop 590 with AMD Ryzen 7 2700 processor and 16 Gb RAM.

If you need any other information, please let me know.

Thanks,

Ian

Answer 3

Hi UrkyBear,

Thanks for your feedback, please offer me your Outlook version for further test. Click File > Office Account, and collect it next to About Outlook button.

Regards,

Betty

Answer 4

Hi Betty,

Unfortunately my EditFlags value is already set to Binary 00 00 01 00 for Acrobat Documents.

This issue is new - it only occurred after the latest update to Office/Outlook.

I have always been able to make the change in the past by running Outlook as an Administrator. Something has been altered in the latest version.

Any other ideas?

Cheers,

Ian

Answer 5

Hi UrkyBear,

Greetings. You could also try to change the EditFlags value like below, and view whether the option “Always ask before opening this type of file” can be unselected then. Note: To avoid data loss, before below operations, please back up your registry.

For 32-bit Outlook and 64-bit Windows.

1. Type “regedit” in search box and press Enter key to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Classes
   AcroExch.Document” and change the EditFlags value to be “00 00 01 00(Binary Value)”.

For Outlook and Windows with same bit-version

1. Type “regedit” in search box and press Enter key to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AcroExch.Document” and change the EditFlags value to be “00 00 01 00(Binary Value)”.

If you have further concern, please share the problem screenshot and Outlook version for further analysis, thanks. 

Regards,

Betty