What do I need to do to be able to open attachments or files in my computer when I receive the following message: Adobe Reader could not open "..." because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged...

I was told by AOL help that Adobe didn't open zip files, but that is not the only kind of files that I am unable to open.

Thanks, Linda

Mmm to change the program, find one and right click and say Open with, then Choose Program. The default program will be highlighted. You can have all of a certain filetype opened by a particular program by default.

You can use "Open With" to select a temporary change for that one program.

The program chosen must be able to open that extension. Acrobat likes to open .PDF files and a few others.

.ZIP files can get you in trouble if your not careful. They are executeable and ones that are not a zip file can install stuff that you don't want.

ZIP is an odd file format. It's integrated into windows too and sometimes looks like a directory when you click it. It's a special case.

The 3 character extension is mapped to a default program. That map can be changed.

Let's not use ZIP and explain what happens.

Do you have Windows XP? If so you might try downloading the
Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. It opens many types of file extensions,
Both graphics and print. I wouldn't know how it works with MACs
And I've read that it's not installed with Windows VISTA.

If you have any word processing software that you've installed
On your computer, have you tried right-clicking the attachment (other
Than zipped) and selecting "Open With?" I'm referring to software
Such as the Microsoft Office Suite. You could then open it with
"Word" or the "Picture Manager." There's info about the Picture & Fax
viewer at this link: Download Picture Viewer (free)

Thanks very much KISS and Couchcarrot! You have no idea how long I have forwarded my email to gmail in order to open things in HTML! It never occurred to me to right click. I just finished running labels for cards that I couldn't open last Xmas and had to hand write. I feel oh so stupid not to try to get an answer way before now!
Linda