Multiple copies of the same file are opening

I have posted this problem here because it occurs in more than one program. It leads me to believe that there may be a system preference that I can adjust to fix it.

Problem: Double-clicking a file opens it. Double-clicking it again opens a second copy of the same file, resulting in having two copies open at the same time. Shouldn't it just jump to the already-open copy of the file?

So far, I have only noticed this problem when using Outlook Express and NotePad.

In Outlook Express, I go to the Inbox and open an email. If I then go back to the Inbox and open the same email, it opens a second copy. My mom has had more than 20 copies of the same email open at one time without realizing it. She doesn't go to the task bar to see what is already open. That's just not how she works, and that will probably never change.

In NotePad (did this used to be called WordPad?), she might want to work on her grocery list. She opens the grocery list file that she had saved previously and works on it. She checks her email. Then she returns to the grocery list by double-clicking on the file again. Now she has two copies open, but the second copy doesn't have any of the changes that she has made to the first copy because she opened the old version. If opening it again took her to the already-opened file, she would not have this problem.

This is my mom's computer, running Windows XP Home Edition.

I have asked other Windows users about this, and they have never experienced it. It also has never happened on my Mac.

None of my internet or forum searches have helped. Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks for your help!

Thank you, Pete. I will look into Eudora or Thunderbird and see if I can get her to switch. I will also get her to start using Word. Sometimes it is just as helpful to know that something CAN'T be fixed. It lets you move on.

MacMan