Outlook to User, "Where'd it go?"

The system cannot find the file specified

I ran into an issue where a client could not open Excel attachments in Outlook. The files open fine, if you save and then open, but not if trying to open by double-clicking the link.


When clicking the link Excel opens but fails to display any information. If you minimize Excel, an error message displays "the system cannot find the file specified."


I started out with running Office updates and fixing Windows update issues. SP3 was failing to install along with numerous other updates. After heading in completely the wrong direction with diagnosing the issue, I found the problem is solvable by adjusting a setting within Excel.


Just close the error, open some other Excel document, click on tools, then options, general tab, then clear the ignore other applications option. Excel and Outlook now play well together.