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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

 

[Ex_Brit]

Strange, it looks quite different on my screen...ah well, who cares as long as it works, right?

 

[billg226]

Updating Windows Mail in Windows 7

Can Windows Mail be updated once Activated in Windows 7?
I have it working GREAT except I get no Updates to it as I do for Windows & Office.
Thanks for your GREAT instructions for activating Windows Mail,
Bill

 

[Dad11]

Had to attend to important family business, funeral, that took some time. Now I am trying, for the second time, to follow the instructions to reinstate Windows Mail. I get an error message when trying to execute WinMailEdit.reg. " Can't import C:\Users\Daniel\Downloads\WinMailEdit\WinMailEdit.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes."
Please help!

 

[mathewgx]

Has anyone succeeded in using winmail on windows 8 ?

 

[Brink]

Hello Mathew,

I think that may be a question best asked at our sister site Eight Forums instead.

However, I would think that it would be best to drop Windows Mail since it is no longer supported by Microsoft, and move on to a newer and better email client of your choice instead. For example, Windows Live Mail, Thunderbird, Outlook, etc....

 

[EKMantis]

Batch File of Fix

Hey, I made a batch file of the fix on your page since I plan to use it on a lot of computers. I have attached the zip with the batch files (and other necessary components) if you wanted to add them to your page for people that want an easy fix. Pretty self-explanatory. Thanks for the great fix!

*EDIT All you need to run is "winmail32.bat" for a 32bit installation, or "winmail64.bat" for a 64bit installation. The rest of the files are just there for the batch file to use.

 

[Donz]

Hey, I made a batch file of the fix on your page since I plan to use it on a lot of computers. I have attached the zip with the batch files (and other necessary components) if you wanted to add them to your page for people that want an easy fix. Pretty self-explanatory. Thanks for the great fix!

Great Idea EK

Can you provide some info on how to run it ?

Start with the 64 bit .bat, or the .exe?

Don

 

[EKMantis]

Sure, all you do is run "winmail32.bat" for 32 bit installations, or "winmail64.bat" for a 64 bit operating system. That will do the entire windows mail tutorial for you. (besides troubleshooting of course)

Hope it helps, Mantis

 

[Donz]

Service Pack 1 Problems

I did the Windows Mail fix as originally posted on a friend's computer.
All went well. Thank You again...

I thought I had all windows updates done, but I was wrong.
Service pack 1 would not install.
I read through various posts, and simply gave up and did a total re-load of Win 7 and added WLM for my friend.

Was there ever a final resolution of the SP1 problem?

I fear SP2 on my computer with WM loaded.

Don

 

[EKMantis]

Had to attend to important family business, funeral, that took some time. Now I am trying, for the second time, to follow the instructions to reinstate Windows Mail. I get an error message when trying to execute WinMailEdit.reg. " Can't import C:\Users\Daniel\Downloads\WinMailEdit\WinMailEdit.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes."
Please help!

I would restart your computer and try doing the tutorial from stage one(without opening or trying to open windows mail!), or run one of the batch files I have posted(Run as Administrator). I would recommend disabling User Account Control if you have not done so already. If that still doesn't work, you probably have a permissions problem in your registry.

 

[Han Solo]

I have double clicked the WinMail.exe shortcut on my desk top but it doesn't appear on screen. According to task manager it is running. How can I see it?

 

[TheStudioMK]

Help Please

I have just upgraded to a new computer, and wanted to move my Windows Mail to the new puter... but cant seem to get it to work...

We found a couple of links on how to do it...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...dows-mail.html

We followed the instructions but it just launches loads of instances of the program without actually showing anything... loads of the programs process if that makes sense

Anyone know what it might be or am I doomed to use Windows Live Mail

 

[TheStudioMK]

I have just upgraded to a new computer, and wanted to move my Windows Mail to the new puter... but cant seem to get it to work...

We found a couple of links on how to do it...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...dows-mail.html

We followed the instructions but it just launches loads of instances of the program without actually showing anything... loads of the programs process if that makes sense

Anyone know what it might be or am I doomed to use Windows Live Mail

Oh I will mention also that the old computer is a 32 bit, where as the new one is a 64 bit... would that make a difference ?

 

[Donz]

We followed the instructions but it just launches loads of instances of the program without actually showing anything... loads of the programs process if that makes sense

Can you please explain further what you say.

 

[TheStudioMK]

We followed the instructions but it just launches loads of instances of the program without actually showing anything... loads of the programs process if that makes sense

Can you please explain further what you say.

Hmmm I am not very techie... my mate did it via remote acces... in the task manager where it shows the processes there were loads for the Windows Mail... but nothing was actually opening/showing...

He's not about right now... I will have to ask him what the actual names were when he gets back, but as I said they were basically the exe for the program, but loads of them...

 

[Donz]

but loads of them...

??? Do you mean several Windows Mail . exe Processes?

I only have one.

I'm no expert but I would consider a System Restore to an earlier date, and start over.


Don

 

[TheStudioMK]

Nah this is a brand new computer out of the box... there is no system restore point... does anyone else know the problem I am encountering... and hopefully a solution

So yeah when I click the desktop icon it just keeps launching WinMail.exe *32 files... loads of them in Task Manager... but none actually open/display anything

 

[tangentjohn]

You are doomed. Not really, it CAN be done, but my experience is that when all is said and done... it isn't worth it, and it'll always give you grief. I've found Thunderbird to be a satisfactory replacement for outlook express. Getting your addresses imported isn't easy but TBird has a plugin you can install to do it. I like TBirds calendar. The whole mail client is a LOT like Outlook Express, and you don't have the whole worry of hacking your registry and not knowing what's going on.

 

[endeavor]

Hey EKMantis nice job with this easy one click .bat installation.

I like how you used the subinacl.exe to set permissions, all in all nice job with your bat. Of course to transfer/import Contacts, Accounts, Emails, etc, from a previous installation that will have to all be done manually, there's no way around that.

We will use this process within our latest release and also add in some new fixes and updates within it as well, and so always go to post #1 for the very latest updates.


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[Ex_Brit]

There could be a problem if someone blindly went ahead with it and their installation is on another partition than C: though. Post a warning about that.

(My Windows 7's are on partitions L: and M: for instance).