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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

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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

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• 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

 

[martykkg]

I use IE9 and have no problems. What about that very last line: UPDATE: The IE 9 security patch from October 11, 2011 seems to fix these issues. See MS11-081: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer: October 11, 2011.

I tried to install the patch but got a message saying that it didn't apply to my system. I use Firefox so it wasn't a problem uninstalling IE9

 

[Ex_Brit]

Pity because some processes do whether or not you know it and IE8 is less secure. Perhaps that hotfix was already installed?

 

[vassar89]

I have completed the tutorial and have been able to open winmail.exe. Two questions that I have I search this thread but couldn't find an answer to:
1. after this process I have two files on my desktop both called "desktop.ini" Can I delete them or move them somewhere other than my desktop? What are they?
2. will my attachments be moved if I follow the tutorial to move my email messages and folders? I have them on another computer and can copy them onto a USB flash drive or use PC Mover (which I have not yet done). Any suggestions?

I read the tutorial for moving emails, and know where the windows mail "app data" is on the old machine. But aren't the attachments in some other folders? Where would windows mail keep attachments in windows 7? If I remember, one of the things I didn't like about windows mail was that I couldn't specify where attachments were.
thanks

 

[dickmiles]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ex_Brit
I use IE9 and have no problems. What about that very last line: UPDATE: The IE 9 security patch from October 11, 2011 seems to fix these issues. See MS11-081: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer: October 11, 2011.



Is there a way to install this patch other than AutoUpdate? I don't see it listed in history for my computer, but it says I am up to date.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I found it by searching Microsoft Downloads for the base KB article KB2559049. The x86 download is here: Download: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 9 in Windows 7 (KB2559049) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details and the x64 (64-bit) is here: Download: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 9 in Windows 7 x64 Edition (KB2559049) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

 

[Ex_Brit]

By the way, that's how it would be listed in WU if installed: KB2559049

 

[dickmiles]

I found it by searching Microsoft Downloads for the base KB article KB2559049. The x86 download is here: Download: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 9 in Windows 7 (KB2559049) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details and the x64 (64-bit) is here: Download: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 9 in Windows 7 x64 Edition (KB2559049) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

I should have mentioned I am running Vista; however, I am having the same problems with Windows Mail as described in this thread. (The link above is for Windows 7).

 

[Ex_Brit]

OK well as these are the Windows 7 forums I didn't suspect that. Here are all the search results, you pick the right one form the list, note it goes on for several pages: Search results - Microsoft Download Center

 

[Sammy888]

Hmm. I am suprised nobody created an open source version of Windows Mail or Outlook Express that works just like the real thing including populating hotmail via their email client and creating the same directories/folders as you have in hotmail instead of just merging them now into your inbox like Thunderbird and other clients.

I know for me, I still MUST use IE since Google Toolbar requires it and only works in IE and no other browser, even Chrome!

 

[Bart2010]

A windows 7 update within the last few days once again rendered my Windows mail unusable. Going though the steps at the beginning of this forum again has solved the problem. Once again you-have-saved-my-life-I-am-eternally-grateful!

 

[markdp]

Making WinMail.exe visible

I couldn't get the attrib command to work. Fortunately, the Command Prompt still exists in Windows 7. After making my way to the Program Files/Windows Mail folder, I put in the following command:

attrib -s -h WinMail.exe

Windows Mail is now unhidden in Explorer.

One thing I forgot to mention. When you get to the command line shortcut, RIGHT CLICK it. Choose 'Run as Administrator.' If you don't do this, you won't have authority to use the attrib command above.

 

[Dad11]

I am fairly new at this and would appreciate a reply. I've seen the detailed information about how to reinstate Windows Mail in Windows 7. But I want to keep all of my current emails and the folders, if possible. The description did not say whether you do these things before or after upgrading (or I missed it). I have a concern that if I install Windows 7, which just got here this morning and I'm eager to install, I may not be able to go back to get something that is needed. I found, using Ztree, all of my current emails and have copied them to another drive, with folders. I don't know about attachments, yet. Thank you. Dan

 

[roncerr]

...I have a concern that if I install Windows 7, which just got here this morning and I'm eager to install, I may not be able to go back to get something that is needed. I found, using Ztree, all of my current emails and have copied them to another drive, with folders. I don't know about attachments, yet...

I don't know what Ztree does. If you were originally using Windows Mail on Vista, or Outlook Express on XP, You can use the built-in export features they have for messages and contacts.

Instead of exporting it could be as simple as backing up your Contacts folder for Vista or your .wab file for OE. For messages, you could save the Explorer "app data" Folder "Outlook Express" or "Windows Mail". Then when importing, navigate to the appropriate saved folder.

 

[markdp]

I am fairly new at this and would appreciate a reply. I've seen the detailed information about how to reinstate Windows Mail in Windows 7. But I want to keep all of my current emails and the folders, if possible. The description did not say whether you do these things before or after upgrading (or I missed it). I have a concern that if I install Windows 7, which just got here this morning and I'm eager to install, I may not be able to go back to get something that is needed. I found, using Ztree, all of my current emails and have copied them to another drive, with folders. I don't know about attachments, yet. Thank you. Dan

My Windows 7 is a new computer. There was no danger in my losing messages from my Vista computer as I am not upgrading it. One thing I noticed about WM on Windows 7 - Windows Mail did not remember which emails were unread(highlighted.) Otherwise, it works exactly the same.

As for upgrading, you should make at least 2 copies of your email, pictures, documents, etc in a location other than your hard drive. You may lose everything when you do the upgrade. The upgrade is usually irreversible.

 

[Dad11]

My Windows 7 is a new computer. There was no danger in my losing messages from my Vista computer as I am not upgrading it. One thing I noticed about WM on Windows 7 - Windows Mail did not remember which emails were unread(highlighted.) Otherwise, it works exactly the same.

As for upgrading, you should make at least 2 copies of your email, pictures, documents, etc in a location other than your hard drive. You may lose everything when you do the upgrade. The upgrade is usually irreversible.

Thank you both. I'd not remembered about exporting. I'll do that. I've completed creating the Windows Easy Transfer file (300 Gigs). I have 2 other internal hard drives besides the one that will become Window 7. And Ztree is a wonderful file management program. See it at Ztree.com.
I don't plan to let it format drive C:, but what I have is the full version, not just the upgrade.

 

[Dad11]

I don't have much time, tonight, but How to Reinstate Windows Mail in Windows 7 does not appear to work correctly. I'm getting error messages. I'm going to bail and try again, tomorrow.

 

[ronnycopeh]

error message

I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and have follow everything to the letter but keep getting a message stating windows mail could not be started because msoe.dll could not be initialized. need some help. thanks in advance.

 

[rayzorsharp]

Just followed your instructions and I now have outlook express back on windows 7 64 bit.
Works great

 

[Ex_Brit]

Just followed your instructions and I now have outlook express back on windows 7 64 bit.
Works great

You mean Windows Mail I trust.

 

[rayzorsharp]

Windows mail it is but it looks excatly like outlook express which I have used for years.