Error message when you try to open or save an e-mail attachment in Outlook: "Cannot create file"

When you try to open or save an e-mail attachment, you may receive the following error message:

This issue may occur when the Temporary Internet Files folder is stored on a server on which you do not have sufficient permissions.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: To resolve this issue, force Outlook to use a specific folder for temporary files. Modify the relevant Windows Registry key as follows:

Outlook 2000

If you are using Outlook 2000, follow these steps:

1. Start Registry Editor.
2. Locate and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook\Security\OutlookSecureTempFolder
   
   Note You may have to manually create this registry key if it does not already exist on the system.
   
   If Outlook is installed on a terminal server, use the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Terminal Server\Install\Software\MICROSOFT\Office\9.0\Outlook\SECURITY\OutlookSecureTempFolder
3. On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then add the following registry value:
   Value data: Path and name of the folder that you want to use
4. Exit Registry Editor.

Outlook 2003

If you are using Outlook 2003, follow these steps:

1. Click My Computer, and then double-click drive C.
2. On the File menu, click New, and then click Folder.
3. Name the folder temp0.
4. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
5. Locate and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security\
6. In the right pane, double-click OutlookSecureTempFolder.
7. In Value Data field, type C:\temp0\ and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor.
9. Restart the computer.

Microsoft Outlook 2000 Service Release 1 has a security enhancement that saves the attachment as a temporary file. The file is saved in the Temporary Internet Files folder in a folder that has a random name. When roaming profiles are set up, the Temporary Internet Files folder is stored in the user's profile on a server. The user gains access to the folder over the network.