Hi mShakeel,

Based on your description, I understand that you can’t open attached document in the browser when signed in Outlook Web App(OWA). If there’s any misunderstanding, please correct me.

Based on my experience, you can follow the steps below:

1. Install  and configure PowerShell:
help.outlook.com/.../cc952756.aspx

2. Connect PowerShell to Exchange Online:
help.outlook.com/.../cc952755.aspx

3. Run these two commands:
Set-OwaMailboxPolicy OwaMailboxPolicy-Default -ForceWebReadyDocumentViewingFirstOnPublicComputers $true

Set-OwaMailboxPolicy OwaMailboxPolicy-Default -ForceWebReadyDocumentViewingFirstOnPrivateComputers $true

It can take some time before the two commands take effect, now you can check whether you can open document in browser.

Thanks,
Young Yang

Hi Young,

Thank you for your help. I have tried these command lines and it worked fine BUT unfortunatley when I try to open PDF file it gives me the same error message "The WebReady Document Viewing service has been disabled by the administrator for your organization. For more information, contact your helpdesk."

I was able to open Word attachment fine in the browser. Is there any Plug-in or fillter do I need to install for PDF?

Shakeel

Hi mShakeel,

I understand that you can open Word document in browser, it means Office Web App works well. WebReady Document Viewing service is supported in Exchange Online. Before moving on, you can try to reset your browser and add OWA url to trusted sites.

This issue might also be caused by your internet environment, such as group policy, or some networking settings. If it is possible you can try on another environment to see if it works.

Typically, you can download the file by clicking it, and view it on your local computer:

Additionally, regarding the error when running PowerShell command, you can refer to the following link to troubleshoot it:
support.microsoft.com/.../2669552

Thanks,
Young Yang

Hi Young,

Thanks for your response.

I have tested in diffrent internet environment and added the owa site into trusted sites but still does not work.

I have tested on premisses exchange and I have tried the owa of my company and my browser does not have any restriction and I can see pdf file in the browser without downloading it to my local computer. (This exchange server is diffrent than the office 365).

Is there any settings do I have to change in Office 365?

Thanks

Shakeel

Hello mShakeel,

Thank you for your post to the forum.
I suggest you to try this:

To connect Exchange Online perform following cmdlet:

Please copy all scripts below at once.

$LiveCred = Get-Credential

$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.outlook.com/powershell/ -Credential $LiveCred -Authentication Basic –AllowRedirection

Import-PSSession $Session

Connect-MsolService

Then:

To view the list of Blocked file extensions in OWA you can run this script:

Get-OwaMailboxPolicy OWAMailboxPolicy-Default | select -ExpandProperty BlockedFileTypes

To allow attachments with .PDF extension

Get-OwaMailboxPolicy | Set-OwaMailboxPolicy -AllowedFileTypes .pdf

To display allowed extension files

Get-OwaMailboxPolicy | select AllowedFileTypes –ExpandProperty AllowedFileTypes

Should you have any further questions about how to do this, please feel free to let us know? We are here to help.

Best regards,

Roger

I too am experiencing this problem.    I have looked at the OwaMailboxPolicy and .pdf is already in the Allowed File Types.    Yet I am continuing to experience the error when trying to open .pdf attachments in the browser.     Other attachments are able to be opened successfully.  Any other ideas?

Hi Roger,

Thanks for your help.

I have followed your instruction and  I have looked at the OwaMailboxPolicy and .pdf is in the Allowed File Types. Yet I am continuing to experience the error when trying to open .pdf attachments in the browser.

In Office 365 the capability to view Microsoft Office attachments (doc, ppt, xls, etc.) in a browser is provided using WAC (Web Access Components, mainly used by ‘Office Web Apps’). This is available in the service today. The capability to view PDF attachments in a browser is provided using 'WebReady Document Viewing' (Ref: help.outlook.com/.../gg192743.aspx). Currently the 'WebReady Document Viewing' feature has been disabled as Microsoft Online Service Operations was notified that there was a vulnerability in a component provided by a 3rd party licensed by Microsoft. Being very cautious and to quickly mitigate any possible impact from this issue, Microsoft has disabled this feature in the online service. Users will still be able to view Office & PDF attachments by downloading the attachments or by using the Outlook client. The Microsoft team is working to test and deploy the corrective patches so that we can re-enable the preview feature as soon as possible. I will update the thread when this feature is available again.

HI Amir,

Thanks for the answer.

Shakeel

Thanks for that feedback Amir. I have user experiencing same problem. Good to know Microsoft disabled the feature and we can hear back from Microsoft when its re-enabled.

I am actually able to click the pdf link from the WebReady Document Viewing message, it then asks to Open or Save. I click Open and it opens in Adobe Reader.

Hello Amir-

I just came across this and wanted to see if there is an update to the feature being enabled again?

Thank you.

I also would like to know when this feature will be enabled again. Where can we sign up for updates on this issue?

Hello phijar, adminuserideal,

Thanks for the post in the forum. The restriction placed on the 'WebReady Document Viewing' feature is still active. Users will still be able to view Office & PDF attachments by downloading the attachments or by using the Outlook client. Once the issue has been resolved or any update on the issue is received, I will update this thread.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
It is always our pleasure to be of assistance.

Best regards,

Samuel

Hello forum members,

Thanks for your patience as we've worked to resolve this issue. I will update the post as soon as I have more information on this. I sincerely apologize for any inconveniences.

Best regards,
Roger