Can't download attachments

If you receive an error message when you try to download an attachment, there may be a problem with the network or your browser, or other software on your computer may have to be reconfigured. Try the following solutions in the order that they're presented:

• To allow Windows Internet Explorer to save the attachment to your temporary Internet files, when you sign in to your Windows Live Hotmail account, select the Remember me on this computer check box.

• Save the attachment to your computer, instead of opening the file from Windows Live Hotmail.

  Show me how

  Sign in to the Windows Live Hotmail website with your Windows Live ID (The user name and password that you use to sign in to any Windows Live, MSN, or Office Live sites and services. If you have a Passport Network, Hotmail, or Messenger account, you can use it as your Windows Live ID.) . In the message list, double-click the message. Right-click the attached file, and then click Save target as. Select the location where you want Windows Live Hotmail to save the file. Click Save.

• Optimize and reset the default settings for Windows Internet Explorer.

  Show me how

  In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options. Follow the steps for your browser: If you have Internet Explorer 6, do the following: On the General tab, click Delete Cookies, and then click OK. Click Delete Files, select the Delete all offline content check box, and then click OK. It may take several minutes for the files to be deleted. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Restore Defaults. If you have Internet Explorer 7, do the following: Under Browsing history, click Delete. In the Delete Browsing History window, click Delete all, and then click Yes. It may take several minutes for the files to be deleted. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Restore advanced settings. Click the Security tab, click the Internet icon, click Default Level, and then click Apply. Repeat this step for the Restricted and the Trusted zones. Click Trusted Sites, click Sites, and then clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone check box. Under Add this Web site to the zone, type *.hotmail.com, and then click Add. Do the same for *.passport.com, *.live.com, and *.msn.com, and then click OK in Internet Explorer 6, or click Close in Internet Explorer 7. Click the Privacy tab, and then click Sites. Under Address of Web site, type *.hotmail.com, and then click Allow. Do the same for *.passport.com, *.live.com, and *.msn.com, and then click OK. Click OK. Notes To determine the version of Internet Explorer that you're using, in Internet Explorer, click the Help menu, and then click About Internet Explorer. If you're using a browser other than Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7, see the documentation for that browser for more information about how to optimize your settings.

• Reregister the required security and encryption files on your computer.

  Show me how

  In Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run. –or– In Windows Vista, click the Start button, and then click in the Start Search box. Type regsvr32 softpub.dll, and then press ENTER. Click OK. Repeat these steps for regsvr32 wintrust.dll and regsvr32 initpki.dll.

• Add *.live.com, *.passport.com, *.hotmail.com, and *.msn.com to the list of safe domains (The part of an e-mail address that follows the @ sign, such as msn or hotmail.) in your firewall, pop-up blocker, and antivirus software.

  Show me how

  To learn how to do this, see the documentation for your firewall, pop-up blocker, or antivirus software. To learn how to configure Microsoft Windows Firewall in Windows XP with Service Pack 2, see the Microsoft TechNet website.