When you try to open an .msg file in Office Outlook 2003, a window opens in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6

When you try to open an .msg file in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 opens a window that contains the following error message: This problem may occur on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer that is running Outlook 2003 and Internet Explorer 6. Or this problem may occur on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1-based computer that is running Outlook 2003 and Internet Explorer 6.

Windows XP

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To install this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on the computer.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.To enable this hotfix, follow these steps:

1. Quit Internet Explorer.
2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click to select the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_CLOSE_EMPTY_BROWSER_KB920982
4. After you select the key that is specified in step 3, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
5. Type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
6. Right-click iexplore.exe, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 00000001, and then click OK.
8. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.

Windows Server 2003

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

Prerequisites

To install this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 installed on the computer

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.To enable this hotfix, follow these steps:

1. Quit Internet Explorer.
2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate and then click to select the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_CLOSE_EMPTY_BROWSER_KB920982
4. After you select the key that is specified in step 3, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
5. Type iexplore.exe, and then press ENTER.
6. Right-click iexplore.exe, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 00000001, and then click OK.
8. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: