Windows Mail

How to Reinstate Windows Mail in Windows 7​

   Warning

Microsoft no longer supports Windows Mail, aka WinMail. It's recommended you use another well known supported email client. This Tutorial is for Advanced users who importantly have the Technical Ability to make the changes, have backups of everything including your OS, and to be your own tech support for WinMail going forward. If you decide to complete this tutorial you accept the fact that you are using WinMail as-is. It might be necessary to uninstall other email clients to resolve any WinMail conflicts in some environments. Understand it's likely that new OS updates from Microsoft will break WinMail's operation, and to fix make it necessary to rerun the tutorial again to reinstate it. With those things in mind, this tutorial was written so that you can rerun it without affecting WinMail user data.
Please see this Errata (Bug List) post before you install, to be aware of the current information about known issues using WinMail within Windows 7, these issues are programmatic and in most cases cannot be resolved by this tutorial, and will never be fixed.

Having said all of that disclaimer, if you have the technical ability, and can put up with the annoying minor byproduct bugs, then like so many of us still enjoy using WinMail on Windows 7 ...ymmv!

   Tip

As of January, 2025, the instructions given here supersede all other instructions given in forthcoming older posts. Realize some of the posts that follow are over 16 years old, and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful. However you can always be sure that the latest info from all research is incorporated into this tutorial post, and its downloads are the latest available. This post is continuously kept up-to-date, and so..
...Always refer to this Tutorial post for the very latest updated information

This is the 4th iteration of the Windows 7, WinMail tutorial.

The process of this tutorial Will Not work to reinstate WinMail on Windows 8/10 !
Windows 8/10 users please go Here

Start here

1. Download tutorial package TutReWinMail.zip
   
   Download
   
   
2. Extract the TutReWinMail.zip into your user Downloads folder
   • Note: Be sure once extracted this is the address of the ''TutReWinMail'' folder:
   • C:\Users\username\Downloads\TutReWinMail... ... (if it's not there please put it there)
3. Navigate to your user Downloads\TutReWinMail folder to be sure the above is correct.
   • (..if you need more verbose install instructions to follow, download this WinMail Local Tutorial.zip)
   • Advanced Users can proceed below:

     ---

     (..log in for Full Access, being able to get support, remove ads, like, and even to post, etc..)

Advanced Users: ..use this easy excellent overview of the steps in the local tutorial:

• Open an Administrator Command Prompt. (screenshot showing in Administrator mode)
• copy/paste this line into the command prompt: cd %USERPROFILE%\Downloads\TutReWinMail\
• Your command prompt must now be showing you are at That Same Folder Address ..which contains the tutorial files that the batch file in the next step executes programs and copies files specifically from that folder address - if it's not there the batch file will fail since it cannot find what it needs!
• Next type in either winmail32 or win64mail <matching OS bit, to interactively process These Next Steps
• If you've finished to the bottom as shown in last screenshot, restart your machine (sets registry)
• Create a shortcut from WinMail.exe to your Desktop
• Open WinMail - it may prompt you one (or both) of These Two Notices ..click yes, and okay.
• They now should be already set, but you can manually check/set at any time These Default Settings
• That's pretty much all there is to it, and from here you setup the rest of the Windows Mail client (aka: WinMail) as normal within its various tab menus for Accounts, Options, Layout, etc, etc, to suit your individual needs.
• Lastly, but should be the First thing you do, is to Create A WinMail Backup (new version) ..Go to this next link and when you get there scroll down to the heading: Backup/Restore Procedures for further instructions.

   Information

See How to open an elevated Administrator Command Prompt
Important: The exact text provided by the tutorial must be entered into the Administrator Command Prompt.
Hint: to avoid typos, copy/paste the entire line containing the command into the Command Prompt window.
Also see: How to Enable Copy to Clipboard from the Windows 7 Command Prompt

---

Every effort has been made to make this a step-by-step process, however, it is beyond the scope of a single tutorial to provide information on every command or concept. Search the Main Tutorial Section if you need greater detail on a concept or command presented in this tutorial.

Good luck, and long live WinMail

   Note

Made possible by members:
Mark (aka Mr GRiM) - provided the original tutorial
Poppa Bear - continued Mark's work within the 2nd version
endeavor - provided continuous feedback, changes, invaluable testing instrumental to tutorial operations
EKManitis - propose the batch code that made operations easier
Slartybart - updated, tested, and consolidated all of the above into the 3rd version
endeavor - reviewed, updated, tested, and incorporated all of the above into this 4th version
...and also a special thanks to All the other members who presented discovery for this project

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Backup/Restore Messages in Windows Mail (Vista version)
  
• Windows Calendar - Import into Windows 7
• Vista Windows Sidebar - Reinstate on Windows 7
• Windows Live Mail - Import Windows Mail Messages
• Windows Live Mail - Import Windows 7 and Vista Contacts

 

[roncerr]

In Windows 7 this is the correct way to show hidden files.

1. Start Orb
2. Control Panel
3. Appearance and Personalization (Click on main text)
4. Folder Options - Select "show hidden files"
5. Select Radio button "show hidden files,folders and drives)
6. Uncheck " Hide extensions for know file types"
7. Uncheck " Hide protect system operating files"
Click OK

Please update the footnote.

The instructions say:
Dot: Show hidden files, folders...
Untick: Hide empty drives... Hide extensions... Hide protected operating...

Are you worried about the missing "click ok" or the extra empty drives thing, or the path to the folder options? (There are many paths to folder options.)

 

[Greg S]

(There are many paths to folder options.)

Exactly!
Start > Run > control folders

 

[poppa bear]

In Windows 7 this is the correct way to show hidden files..... etc

Please update the footnote.
Thanks
Mike

Roncerr and GregS have really said it all... thanks guys, the tutorial lives on! However, since I'm the "3rd Musketeer", , and for the sake of completeness, this is the full text of Footnote 4, which does actually say click OK:

• Go to: Start Orb ==> Computer ==> C: Drive ==> Program Files ==> Open: Windows Mail ==> Top Task Bar ==> Tools ==> Drop down menu ==> Folder Options ==> View Tab
• Dot: Show hidden files, folders...
• Untick: Hide empty drives... Hide extensions... Hide protected operating...
• In response to the warning click: Yes ==> Apply ==> OK.
• After all the steps are done, restore default view settings.

1. This footnote is written in the context of Step 3 of the Turorial, in which you are working in the Windows Mail folder. And this is the folder you'll need open in the next step to create the shortcut to the desktop once you've made WinMail.exe visible. So that's why the Control Panel option was not chosen.

2. It is written for people like myself who are not so computer literate, and need to have it spelled out step by step. And that's exactly why a red lettered warning was placed in that step leading to the footnote, which you missed and to which I alerted you a few posts back.

Off topic: Hey Greg, thanks for the heads up on that Run box command to show folder options. I didn't know about that, and it's a great little shortcut.

Cheers PB

 

[Greg S]

Off topic: Hey Greg, thanks for the heads up on that Run box command to show folder options. I didn't know about that, and it's a great little shortcut.

Cheers PB

As mentioned by roncerr, that's only another one of many ways to get at the Folder Options.

 

[roncerr]

(There are many paths to folder options.)

Exactly!
Start > Run > control folders

Typing "control folders" in the start search box also works. (Thanks for the clue that led me to try that!) Now all we need is a shortcut to hide/unhide protected OS files directly.

 

[poppa bear]

Typing "control folders" in the start search box also works.

For some reason this command works OK in the Run box on my 64bit Windows 7 installation, but won't run when I open the start orb and type it in the search box and click Enter on the keyboard. It comes up with: No items match your search. Any ideas?

Kind of Off Topic - but hope it may spare others a lot of heartache: Just had a problem I've never had before. Tried to send test email from my Yahoo account to my Yahoo account using WinLiveMail, and got following error message from mail administrator:

Your message was not delivered because the destination computer refused to accept it (the error message is reproduced below). This type of error is usually due to a mis-configured account or mail delivery system on the destination computer; however, it could be caused by your message since some mail systems refuse messages with invalid header information, or if they are too large.

Your message was rejected by j.mx.mail.yahoo.com for the following reason:

Message not allowed - [320]

I got the same message using OE on WinXP, WinMail on Vista, and WinLiveMail on 64bit Windows 7. However my 2nd PC, which used the same phone line, ISP and accounts, sent it fine using XP Home or 32bit Windows 7. After trying everything possible, I finally re-loaded an Acronis image of Windows 7, but to no avail.

Finally did what I should have done in the first place and Googled it. The date on my PC had advanced a month. Set that right and problemo solved!

I noticed on Google that a lot of people had been experiencing the same problem. I just wondered if the auto time set function from MS had gone haywire?

Cheers PB

 

[Greg S]

(There are many paths to folder options.)

Exactly!
Start > Run > control folders

Typing "control folders" in the start search box also works. (Thanks for the clue that led me to try that!) Now all we need is a shortcut to hide/unhide protected OS files directly.

Have you tried the .vbs file that is suppose to do this? View attachment hidden.zip

 

[roncerr]

I just wondered if the auto time set function from MS had gone haywire?

I think the auto time set goes haywire for any of several reasons. If your computer clock is very accurate then the default 1 week updates may be adequate. Mine has always been very slow so I try to update every hour (3600 seconds) using the registry to edit the interval. Sometimes the server doesn't respond so I use a different one from NIST that can be entered directly in the server box in the clock interface. Let me know if you'd like more details. You can also do a manual update using the Internet Time tab to see if it's working.

 

[poppa bear]

I just wondered if the auto time set function from MS had gone haywire?

I think the auto time set goes haywire for any of several reasons. If your computer clock is very accurate then the default 1 week updates may be adequate. Mine has always been very slow so I try to update every hour (3600 seconds) using the registry to edit the interval. Sometimes the server doesn't respond so I use a different one from NIST that can be entered directly in the server box in the clock interface. Let me know if you'd like more details. You can also do a manual update using the Internet Time tab to see if it's working.

Yes thank you roncerr, I would appreciate more details on how to set the the registry to edit the time interval. Ditto for how to use the NIST in the server box in the clock interface.

Cheers PB

 

[roncerr]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\w32time\TimeProviders\NtpClient
Change the decimal value of the "SpecialPollInterval" to 3600 to adjust every hour (3600 seconds). Microsoft may change it back to weekly or daily at times like when you install updates but you can always fix it again.

The Windows Time server box can be edited directly. I use time-a.nist.gov or time-b.nist.gov. Just left-click and backspace to clear the name displayed and type in another name followed by pressing "update". That will test it and add it to the drop down list if it's not there already.

BTW, I have an ISP which seems to prevent the windows time client from reaching any servers so when using that ISP (Covad's T1 service and router) I've added the time client provided by NIST.gov as it seems to get through just fine. Just not as convenient as Windows Time Client. Windows time works fine when using dial-up or when traveling using any wi-fi hotspot or cellular service.

 

[Pebblekeeper]

Thank you very much for this simple to use tutorial! My dad drove 120 miles this morning with the hopes that I could install windows mail on his new tower. He really didn't like using windows live mail. I am so glad that about 15-20 minutes after he arrived, the computer was set up, the instructions were easily followed - and I a get all the atta girl pats from a very proud dad. Thank you so much for posting this!

 

[andjayik]

ok i got my mail going but cant import any contacts? i get this error? Never mind i figured it out.

 

[18pcs]

I need to reinstate Windows Mail on my 64bit seven. Maybe I am missing something here, do I need to install WM or are the files already available/installed on the seven machine and only need to be modified ?

 

[poppa bear]

I need to reinstate Windows Mail on my 64bit seven. Maybe I am missing something here, do I need to install WM or are the files already available/installed on the seven machine and only need to be modified ?

The files are already there. There are two "Windows Mail" folders in the 64bit version of Windows 7 which are installed as part of the installation process.

• One is in the normal 64bit Program files. This is the one to which you apply the steps of the tutorial.

• The other is in the 32bit Program files(x86). Do NOT touch this folder.

The only file that needs to be modified in the existing Windows Mail folder in Program files is the msoe.dll as shown in Step 4 of the tutorial. Make sure you download the 64bit msoe.dll file.

 

[pete39]

Just to recap. Microsoft did an update quite a while ago and made Windows Mail inoperable hence the new file 64bit msoe.dll file to cure the problem.

Is this likely to happen again with an another possible update making Windows Mail inoperable again?

Pete

 

[poppa bear]

Just to recap. Microsoft did an update quite a while ago and made Windows Mail inoperable hence the new file 64bit msoe.dll file to cure the problem.

Is this likely to happen again with an another possible update making Windows Mail inoperable again?

Pete

No one can definitively say that it will never happen again. However, the probability is extremely rare. All of the other files in the Windows Mail folder are Windows 7 files, and they would be automatically covered by normal Windows updates. So if it ever did happen again it would have to be like lightning striking twice in the same spot. And even if it did happen, all you would need to replace would be the msoe.dll file with an msoe.dll file from the Windows Mail folder of a Vista operating system that has had the new update applied to it.

 

[18pcs]

I would like to reinstate Windows Mail. But the problem now is that since I have been using WLM since the last few days all my emails are in that format. What can I do ?
I would also like to reconfirm with actual users of Windows mail, that all storage folders are in one place and can be copied entirely to different computers and would be readable/usable there. i meant between Desktop and laptop ?

 

[18pcs]

I cannot paste the downloaded Msoe.dll file into the windows mail folder and keep getting a error message as follows :
The action can't be completed because the folder or a file in it is open in another program
Cloce the folder or file and try again
Windows Mail

Can someone please advice, help

 

[roncerr]

Can someone please advice, help

Most problems can be solved by carefully reviewing the tutorial. However, judging by the error message you're getting, it sounds like one of your email programs is open while you're working in Windows Explorer and it wants you to close the program. If they're already closed perhaps you should reboot and don't open them again until after you've completed the tutorial.

 

[18pcs]

Can someone please advice, help

Most problems can be solved by carefully reviewing the tutorial. However, judging by the error message you're getting, it sounds like one of your email programs is open while you're working in Windows Explorer and it wants you to close the program. If they're already closed perhaps you should reboot and don't open them again until after you've completed the tutorial.

Logitech Setpoint was using MSOE.dll strangely. Have managed to start Windows MAil. Now is it possible to export WLM format messages to WM ? There is no such export option though.