Clicking through links in Windows Live mail is now functional for me. However, I still have issues (program becomes unresponsive) when attaching files to an e-mail. Most notably if I have two file...

eM Client | Best Email Client for Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP

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I should add that at least em Client allows me to successfully click-through a link embedded in an e-mail, whereas Windows Live Mail does not.

I also continue to experience the symptoms described by the OP. As suggested I installed EM Client, and like Windows Live Mail, it also locked up when I attempted to attach a file to an e-mail ... ...