Opening zipped PDFs in Outlook without extracting

[HCHTech]

I swear I have come across this issue before and fixed it, but I can't seem to find or search the solution.

This is in the latest version of desktop Outlook (client has BP licenses for M365). They have Adobe Reader (latest update) installed as their default PDF application. Windows 11 is at 23H2.

BEFORE: When an email was received that had a zip file attachment that contained PDF files, they could double-click on the zip file to open it (but not extract the files), which would then display a list of the PDF files contained within the zip file. They could then double-click on one of the PDF files and it would open.

NOW: This no longer works. They can click on the zip file to open it and show the list, but double clicking on the PDF file does nothing, and right-clicking on the PDF file and choosing "Open" also does nothing. After doing this, Adobe is NOT shown in task manager as running in any fashion. If they Save the zip attachment, then extract the PDFs, they can open them normally, but this is like 9 more clicks than doing it the old way.

If I install Winzip and use that as the default zip file handler, then it "works" to do it the "old way", but it involves Winzip which is not free and also takes time to load, etc.

This smells to me like some security setting or another, but I cannot locate it either in Outlook or Adobe Reader, and can't find the solution online. Worse, I'm sure I've seen this problem before, but can't remember how I fixed it. Ugh. Little help?

 

[britechguy]

If I install Winzip and use that as the default zip file handler, then it "works" to do it the "old way", but it involves Winzip which is not free and also takes time to load, etc.

Well, the Windows-based "Extract All" works just fine as do 7-Zip and PeaZip.

I haven't tried to open any file directly from a File Explorer listing of ZIP file contents in ages because it hasn't worked. And I think you're right that it's a security measure and one that's been in place for some time if my personal experience is any indicator. I have no idea how to turn it off.

 

[callthatgirl]

Look to see if Adobe is in the add-ins of Outlook, if so, try disabling it. Most folks don't use Adobe within Outlook so those 2 checkboxes aren't needed either way. I don't have Adobe in Outlook and mine opens as it should. Just tested.

 

[frase]

Maybe "Protected View" is active within Outlook? I have had this numerous times and a pain in the butt.

Via Oulook
File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings
Attachment Handling
Uncheck "Turn off Attachment Preview".
Select Attachment & Document Previewers
Ensure "PDF Preview Handler is Enabled" (The one used)
Close Outlook and reopen.

Also I do not use Adobe, I use FoxitPDF.