Reading e-mail attachments

When I get an attachment to my e-mail (on Outlook Express) I frequently can't open it. I save the attachment, then double-click on it and I get a message saying that this program can't read it.
Then, I go to the box which lists other programs and I don't know which to try. Is there a list somewhere showing for a given file type (.doc, .pdf, etc.) which program to use?

 

here's a great big huge list you can bookmark to keep handy.

odds are though you only get a few kinds on a regular basis
- when you open, after virus scanning!, an attachment, don't you have the PC make a file association so it knows what to open next time?

 

Thanks very much. Your reply was very helpful.