Automatic application loading for e-mail attachments

A method for running application programs in a computer system which includes a RAM memory, comprising:

• receiving at least one electronic mail message, said receiving including receiving at least one attachment application file associated with said at least one electronic mail message, wherein said attachment application file and said electronic mail message are received at said computer system, said at least one attachment application file being of a type of file from a plurality of file types;
• detecting said type of at least one attachment application file;
• automatically identifying at least one application program resident on said computer system, said at least one application program being of said type as a detected attachment application file, and
• automatically copying said application program to said RAM memory and launching said application program in a minimized state responsive to said identifying prior to a user selecting said attachment file, wherein a loading time when said user selects said attachment file is minimized.

A computer system which includes a RAM memory configured to run application programs, said computer system comprising:

• means for receiving at least one electronic mail message, said receiving means including means for receiving at said computer system at least one attachment application file associated with said at least one electronic mail message, said at least one attachment application file being of a type of file from a plurality of file types;
• means for detecting said type of at least one attachment application file, said detecting means analyzing a file name extension of said at least one attachment application file;
• and
• means for automatically identifying at least one application program resident on said computer system, said at least one application program being of said type as a detected attachment application file and automatically copying said application to said RAM memory responsive to said identifying means prior to a user selecting said attachment file, said application program being launched in a minimized state, wherein a loading time when said user selects said attachment file is minimized.