Why do I get error -8003 when I try to copy files from Mail to Finder?

Question

Why do I get error -8003 when I try to copy files from Mail to Finder?

Ever since I switched to Catalina, I cannot copy (via drag and drop) most files from Mail to Finder. The file appears in the chosen Finder window, but the icon doesn't have the default program it's to be opened with. And most files cannot be changed (e.g. renaming) or moved from Finder. I can, however, move, delete and rename them from Terminal.

The error message I get when I try to copy from Mail is "The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003)."

I tried relaunching Finder and I have quit and reopened Mail and nothing helps. Updating the software hasn't helped either.

Has this happened to anyone?

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Jan 7, 2020 1:36 AM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

101,261 points

Jan 7, 2020 3:20 AM in response to rumpelstiltskin86

What happens if you right-click the file and choose Save Attachment like most users do?

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

101,261 points

Jan 8, 2020 3:49 AM in response to rumpelstiltskin86

There is a huge thread about cannot open pdfs. I thought it was about permissions or default apps in most cases.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250715629

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Answer 3

Jan 8, 2020 3:33 AM in response to rumpelstiltskin86

Additionally, pdf and various image files won't open with preview. Error message: "The file “XYZ” couldn’t be opened."

This happens for files that used to open before the Catalina update.

@peter_watt Again, I realize that there are ways to open them in other programs. That is not the point. This is something that used to work and now doesn't and I am wondering: i) why and ii) whether other people have experienced the same problems.

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Answer 4

Jan 7, 2020 2:18 PM in response to LD150

This might be true and helps in this case, but there is a host of issues, among other related to file management, since the Catalina update. I can't save something as PDF from the printing option as I used to be able to do and other issues that I either cannot remember. Some, I found a work-around for, but not all. And it's beside the point that there is a work around. If there used to be a feature that is part of somebody's work flow, it's nice to keep it or have it explicitly declared obsolete and unusable.

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