Fixing the Outlook Error: “The properties of the message have been changed”
If you’re using Microsoft Outlook and encounter the error message:
“The properties of the message have been changed.”
you’re not alone. This frustrating issue often appears when trying to open .msg email files saved to your desktop or another folder.
After clicking Yes or No in response to the prompt, Outlook closes the message regardless of your choice. When you try opening the message again, a second error appears:
“We can’t open [path to message.msg]. It’s possible the file is already open, or you don’t have permission to open it.”
What Causes the Error?
The root cause is usually a third-party Outlook add-in interfering with how .msg files are opened. In my specific case, the culprit was the Adobe Acrobat Outlook Add-in. These add-ins can attempt to modify the message content or metadata, triggering Outlook’s warning about message properties.
How to Fix It
- Open Outlook.
- Go to File > Options.
- In the left pane, select Add-ins.
- At the bottom, next to Manage: COM Add-ins, click Go….
- In the list, uncheck Adobe Acrobat (or any suspicious third-party add-in).
- Click OK and restart Outlook.
Disabling the problematic add-in prevents it from attempting to modify the .msg file during the open process. Once it’s turned off, Outlook should open the message normally without any errors or warnings.
Additional Notes
- You may need to restart your computer after disabling the add-in for changes to take full effect.
- If you’re unsure which add-in is causing the issue, try disabling them all and re-enable one by one.
- Some antivirus software with Outlook integration may also cause similar behavior—check your AV settings if the problem persists.
By taking these steps, you can eliminate this irritating error and regain full access to your saved email files.
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