Fix Access Is Denied When Opening Outlook PDF Attachments in Adobe Reader
Question details
Users are unable to open PDF attachments directly from Microsoft Outlook using Adobe Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Reader / Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop Services
- Scenario
- Opening an email PDF attachment from Outlook while Adobe Reader Protected Mode is enabled in an RDS environment.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Reader fails to open the file and displays an error prompt stating: "There was an error opening this document. Access is denied."
Before altering security settings, try saving the Outlook PDF attachment directly to your desktop or documents folder and opening it from there to confirm if the issue is restricted to the Outlook temporary folder.
Install the Latest Adobe Reader Update
Updating to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat or Reader patches known compatibility issues with Outlook and Windows Server RDS environments.
Adobe frequently releases patches (such as version 19.010.20069 and newer) specifically designed to address sandbox and Protected Mode bugs that trigger the "Access is denied" error when accessing temporary Outlook files.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader application on your Windows Server or local machine.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on the "Help" tab, and select "Check for Updates" from the drop-down menu.
Wait for the updater to scan for new versions. If an update is available, click "Download and Install" and follow the on-screen prompts.
Once the installation is complete, restart your computer. Open Microsoft Outlook and double-click the PDF attachment to verify the issue is resolved.
Add Outlook Temp Folder to Privileged Locations
Adding the Outlook secure temporary folder to Adobe Reader's trusted locations allows the PDF to open without completely disabling Protected Mode.
Open Outlook PDF Attachments Seamlessly with WPS Office
If strict Adobe Reader security settings continue to interrupt your workflow, consider using WPS Office. It includes a built-in, lightweight PDF reader that opens email attachments instantly without conflicting with Windows Server RDS security policies.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Set as default PDF viewer: During installation or within Windows Settings, select WPS Office as your default application for opening PDF files.
- 3. Open Microsoft Outlook: Launch your Outlook client and navigate to the email containing the PDF attachment you wish to read.
- 4. View the attachment: Double-click the PDF attachment. It will securely and instantly open in WPS Office without "Access is denied" errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Reader show 'Access is denied' when opening Outlook attachments?
This error generally occurs when Adobe Reader's Protected Mode restricts the application from reading files stored in the hidden temporary folder where Microsoft Outlook automatically saves attachments before opening them.
Should I disable Protected Mode to fix the PDF error?
Disabling Protected Mode in 'Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced)' can temporarily fix the problem, but it is not recommended by IT professionals because it removes critical security sandboxing that protects your computer from malicious PDF files.
Where are Outlook temporary attachment files stored on Windows?
Outlook typically stores temporary email attachments in a secure folder within your user profile, often located at `C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook`.
Does this 'Access is denied' error happen in other PDF readers?
No, this specific permission conflict is largely unique to Adobe Reader's Protected Mode architecture in Windows Server RDS environments. Using alternative software like the WPS Office PDF reader generally bypasses this problem.
