VMware image - "Windows can't open the file"

I'm using a VMware image and am clicking in a link on an email, or double-clicking a file on my Desktop or My Documents, to open a Word, Powerpoint, Excel or other common document. I know I have Microsoft Office installed, but I get a message: "Windows can't open the file".

Solution

This message indicates that the software needed to open the file is not installed in the Virtual Machine.

Email Attachments

The recommended email clients for Macintosh are Outlook or Apple Mail. IS&T recommends using one of these applications to check your mail from the Macintosh machine, and to open attachments with the Microsoft Office applications installed on your Macintosh.

Files stored on the Macintosh

• Use command + tab or click the Finder icon in the dock to return to the host machine (your Macintosh).
• From Finder, navigate to the file and double-click to open it.