License Key Attachment Grayed Out in Windows Mail (Windows Vista)

On Windows Vista, Windows Mail can block the license key attached to your registration email: the attachment is grayed out and cannot be clicked. The cause is a Windows Mail security option, and the fix is the same as in Outlook Express.

The problem

Windows Mail showing the attached license key grayed out — The license key attachment is grayed out in Windows Mail.

How to fix it

Open the options. In Windows Mail choose Tools → Options.
Go to the Security tab. Under Virus Protection, clear the check box Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus.
Save the setting. Click Apply, then OK, and close Windows Mail.

Windows Mail Tools menu with Options highlighted — Tools → Options in Windows Mail.

Windows Mail Options dialog, Security tab, attachment-blocking option marked — Security tab: clear the attachment-blocking option.

Apply the license key

Run the product once. Start the program you purchased at least once before you apply the key, then close it.
Open the attachment. Start Windows Mail again, select the registration email and double-click the attached key file.
Allow the file. Windows Mail shows a security warning for the attachment. Click Open.

Mail Attachment Security Warning dialog asking whether to open the license key — Click Open in the security warning.

Confirm the registry change. Registry Editor asks whether you want to continue. Click Yes. A confirmation tells you the information was entered into the registry.

Registry Editor asking to confirm adding the license key information — Click Yes to add the license information to the registry.

Restart the program. Start the product again – the evaluation restrictions are removed.

Once the key is applied you can turn the security option back on.

Prefer not to change security settings? You do not have to open the key from inside the email program. Save the attachment to disk (if your email program allows it) or open the registration email on another computer or in web mail, then follow How to apply your license key.

Other versions of Windows

Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7: see How to apply your license key.
Windows XP with Outlook Express: see License key grayed out in Outlook Express.
Windows Vista with Windows Mail: see License key grayed out in Windows Mail.

Still stuck? Email support@ashkon.com with the product name and the email address used for your order, or ask us to resend the key at order@ashkon.com.