I don't understand what you're actually trying to do, just what seems to be happening.
Are you actually trying to use Outlook to send a photo ? I guess that's it.

So is there actually a dialog box open, as Outlook is alerting ? Or does it seem to be erroneous.

Sometimes you have to minimize everything to see if there's a dialog box behind what you're looking at.

Also, how are you "trying to send a picture" ? Are you right clicking on it, then choosing "send by email " ? or something else ?

It seems I am hearing and reading more and more complaints about Outlook. Since you report your dissatisfaction with it perhaps a different on-board client may be better for you. Something like Thunderbird. It works just fine on my v8/8.1

DA

I use non other then Incredimail for many yrs. and love it! great for creative ppl, and it's free to, has so many neat features you can use one of your own pics. for stationary and or attach.http://www.windows8downloads.com/win8-incredimail-2-trrohtdw/download.html

Try doing it differently. Open outlook, and draft a message, and then attach the image file WITHOUT FIRST opening My Pictures and looking at the image. It almost sounds like maybe you're looking at the photo first, and then outlook can't open the file. Because, because of your action, it's already in use.

But maybe not.

kbarb, what I did was I took a photo using my digital camera. I wanted to send that photo to my daughter. She has a smart phone instead of a computer. But first I have to send it to my cell phone. I keep forgetting about that dang attachment!!!! When I had Outlook Express, all I had to do was right click on a photo in My Pictures, and then click on "send to mail recipient". Outlook Express would immediately open up a new window and it would already have the picture attached, so all I had to do was click the "send" button. I bought my first computer in '98 (have had 4 since then). All were Windows XP and all had Outlook Express, so I was so used to that email program. It is hard for me to get used to something new now (getting older....lol). Most times I do good, but if I am really in a hurry to do something, like send a picture, then I get confused as to how to do it.

Why don't you just send it to her email, instead of to your phone, then to her phone.
She can get email on her phone, right ?
Either way, I'd just do as Snidely says, and open the Outlook email program, then attach it.

If you want to do the right click method in Pictures first, is that how you're doing it to get the Outlook alert about a dialog box being open ?

Also, you didn't answer the question about whether a dialog box was indeed open.

Anyway I'd just send it as an attachment.

And by the way, some of the other email programs might be easier to use, like Thunderbird, once you get it set up.