How to Fix Outlook Error “Cannot Create File” When Opening or Saving Attachments

Error “Cannot Create File” often occurs when you attempt to open and save the attachments. In most situations, it’s triggered due to the fact that the tempt folder is full. Here are the concrete steps to eliminate this error.

As usual, I am inclined to save the email attachments to local and then open it. But on one occasion, when I try to save the attachments, I receive the error messages – “Cannot Create File”. If you are subject to the same trouble, you can solve it via following the steps below.

Modify the Windows Registry key

1. To start with, close Outlook and head to Start Menu.
2. Then click on “Computer” option and then access to the “Disk (C :)”.
3. Under this disk, you need to create a new folder by selecting from the right clicking menu. And name this folder as “Temp1”.
4. Back to Start Menu. Type “Regedit” in the search field and press “Enter” to open the Registry Editor.
5. Next you need to locate the following keys: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” > “Software” > “Microsoft” > “Office” > “14.0” > “Outlook” > “Security”. In right pane, locate the value “OutlookSecureTempFolder”.
6. Alternatively, you could click “Edit” button and select “Find” option from the drop down list. In the new dialog box, you can type “OutlookSecureTempFolder” to locate it quickly.
7. After locating the value, double click on it. Later in the pop up dialog box, you should type “C:\temp1\” in the value data field.
8. Click “OK” to save the changes and “X” icon to exit Registry Editor
9. Finally restart your computer.

As long as you complete the above steps, there are great chances that you will be able to open and save the attachments. But if the attachments cannot be accessed, you should consider whether the attachments are carrying a virus or even some spyware. Then you should launch your antivirus software to scan the whole PST file.

Launch Scanpst.exe to Check Errors

If some viruses are detected, you should never open and save them. If not, you should consider whether the email message itself is corrupted, or even some uncanny errors have occurred. In this case, you are better off using Scanpst.exe to check the integrity of the file.

Outlook comes loaded with an inbox repair tool, Scanpst.exe, which is exactly a boon to users. You can locate it by searching “Scanpst” in Windows Explorer. Immediately it will show up. Launch it and select the target PST file by clicking “Browse”. And finally click “Start” to check and fix the errors.

Take Aid of Other Reliable Repair Tool

But in frequent situations, if the corruption is highly beyond the capability of Scanpst.exe, you will receive a prompt “The Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the file xxxx.pst…” alike. Then you should fall back on other tools like DataNumen Outlook Repair, which is adept at repairing PST file. It can absolutely bring back your cherished Outlook data without any hassle.

Author Introduction:

Shirley Zhang is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including sql recovery and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com