Run -> Send via Outlook not working

Marek Šanoba · Sep 13, 2022, 1:56 PM

Hi, I have recently installed Notepad++ on a new PC and command “Send via Outlook” doesn’t work there. I have updated shortcuts.xml with:

<Command name="Send via Outlook" Ctrl="yes" Alt="yes" Shift="yes" Key="79">outlook /a &quot;$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)&quot;</Command>

Notepad++ shows the command under Run tab, but it shows me this error when I try to Run it:

ShellExecute - ERROR

The system cannot find the file specified.
An attempt was made to execute the below command.
--------------------------------------
Command: outlook
Arguments: /a "c:\test.html"
Error Code: 2
--------------------------------------

Debug info:
Notepad++ v8.4.4 (32-bit)
Build time : Jul 15 2022 - 17:56:38
Path : C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
Command Line :
Admin mode : OFF
Local Conf mode : OFF
Cloud Config : OFF
OS Name : Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
OS Version : 21H2
OS Build : 19044.1949
Current ANSI codepage : 1252
Plugins :
mimeTools (2.8)
NppConverter (4.4)
NppExport (0.4)

It’s strange that same command from shortcuts.xml works on my coworkers PC/Notepad++ but the same command doesn’t work for me. I’ve also installed different versions of Notepad++ but no lack there either :(

Could you please help?

Thank you.

Marek

Alan Kilborn · Sep 13, 2022, 2:10 PM

@Marek-Šanoba

Supply complete path to Outlook?

Get it working via the Run menu’s Run dialog; if you just start hacking on shortcuts.xml it will probably take you longer to get it right.

PeterJones · Sep 13, 2022, 2:18 PM

@Marek-Šanoba ,

How old is your shortcuts.xml ? The Send Via Outlook was commented out in v7.6.3 in 2019 , and those comments were removed completely in v7.9.3 .

That said, you are allowed to have whatever commands you want in your run menu, so you are allowed to keep the ancient outlook /a "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)" command if you want it. However, as with any program run from the command line, if it’s not in your PATH, you need to provide a full path to the outlook.exe executable. I have a working Outlook installation on my work laptop, but if I drop to cmd.exe or powershell and try to run Outlook from the command line by just typing outlook.exe, I get the error 'outlook.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. . This is the equivalent command-line message to the ShellExecute ERROR that you quoted.

For my new work laptop, with a clean installation of Outlook, outlook.exe is not in the PATH, so neither the command line nor Notepad++'s Run command can find it. But if I set Notepad++ > Run > Run… to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE" /a "$(FULL_CURRENT_FILE)", it will attach the saved copy of the active file to an email using outlook – please note the quote marks.

So you need to find your path to the outlook executable. (Probably something similar, though I’m guessing you have a sensible 64bit outlook at "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE", but that is just a guess)