# How do I open an attachment?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-an-attachment/311647>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 8, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-an-attachment/311647 "2005-07-08T20:08:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-an-attachment/311647/1 "2005-07-08T20:08:53Z")

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I know clicking on the paperclip on the email should open it, but the text next to the paperclip is “unclickable” grey, instead of “openable” black.

what should I do to release this unwanted chicanery in my computer?

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**Author:** ![leandroc76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@leandroc76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leandroc76)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-an-attachment/311647/2 "2005-07-08T20:14:20Z")

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If it is greyed out, there is no attachment. your sender has failed to attach it. reply asking for the attachment.

This happens to everyone.

It would help to know what application you are using. Do you use a web client? What email service are you using, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail, companys Exchange?

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**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-an-attachment/311647/3 "2005-07-08T20:30:56Z")

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It was me sending myself an attachment from my old computer.

I use outlook express.

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**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-open-an-attachment/311647/4 "2005-07-08T20:48:48Z")

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It it an exe or other virus-susceptible file?  
Outlook has this checkbox somewhere that will disallow access to such files. Take a look around the option menu and try turning it off.