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 have us fix this problem for you, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you prefer to fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix it button or link. In the File Download dialog box, click Run and then follow the steps in the Fix it Wizard.




Notes

• This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
• If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.

Then, go to the "Did this fix the problem?" section.

Let me fix it myself

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 the Value Data field, type C:\temp0\ and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor.
9. Restart the computer.

Outlook 2010

If you are using Outlook 2010, 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\14.0\Outlook\Security\
6. In the right pane, double-click OutlookSecureTempFolder.
7. In the Value Data field, type C:\temp0\ and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor.
9. Restart the computer.

Did this fix the problem?

• Check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this section. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus) .
• We would appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me (http://blogs.technet.com/fixit4me/) " blog or send us an email (mailto:fixit4me@microsoft.com?Subject=KB) message.

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.