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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

 

[poppa bear]

1. Run a sysem file check, by typing the following code in the Run box and then clicking OK or pressing Enter on the keyboard: sfc /scannow

This should repair/replace any damaged/missing Windows 7 operating system files.

2. Restore you system to an earlier restore point.

3. There are many posts on ths error message found via Google by typing in the search engine: Fix for Windows 7 SP1 Error No: 80004005

I have successfully loaded SP1 on both 32 & 64bit Windows 7 Ultimate systems with WinMail enabled, and the only adjustment needed was to replace the msoe.dll file in the Windows Mail folder in program files as per Step 4 of the tutorial.

It is critical NOT to have interfered with any of the other original Windows 7 files in the Windows Mail folder, in either the normal 64bit Program Files or the 32bit Program Fieles(x86).

I did that
I even copied over both winmail folders from another win7 PC (well, after I applied SP1 on it)
but it didn't work at all :/

and the /scannow option found errors concerning winmail that couldn't be fixed because the backup (or however it was called in the error msg) was corrupted (so it said) too

edit: just tried it again
copied over all winmail files (both folders)
did a /scannow, it ended with an error that some files couldn't be repaired

I checked the log file but I don't see [date][time] Error [...] lines, except some error_not_found messages marked as

   Information

I don't see any winmail related not_found errors yet ...

I'm kinda not sure what I could do now
I bet it's fixable with not that much effort hmmm

edit2: and SP1 setup fails ...
2011-02-24 17:34:10, Error CBS Failed. Attempted to uninstall a version of a non-driver component that is not installed, version: 0X600011db04001, component: x86_microsoft-windows-mail-core-dll_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_585517a9869db81d, owner: Microsoft-Windows-Client-Features-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.7600.16385.Microsoft-Windows-Client-Features-Update [HRESULT = 0x80004005 - E_FAIL]

edit3: I just replaced the winmail folders with the ones on the win7 dvd, same result

   Information

Before restoring the files in the original Windows Mail folder, it might pay to make all hidden files and folders visible, including extensions, etc, as per Footnote 4 of the tutorial, and instead of pasting over, delete all files. This is just in case any rogue files have been introduced which are not contained in the original folder, and which would not be deleted or amended by a copy over.Then install a virgin copy of the original files.

Just to make sure we're covering all bases, if your platform is 64bit Windows 7, there are two sets of Window Mail files. One 32bit and one 64bit. I assume you've been working in the normal 64bit Program Files and not the 32bit Program Files(x86)? Even so, probably best to delete all files in both folders and restore with the appropriate 32 and 64bit files.

As a last resort short of reloading your OS, you could delete all updates, and then try reloading SP1 which includes all previous updates. If that failed, then manually download all previous updates and forget about SP1. The result will be the same.

Sorry can't help anymore than that. Good luck. PB

 

[poppa bear]

I do not see "take ownership" in drop down menu, downloaded file as you advised, still not seeing "take ownership" HELP!!

Probably a silly question, and don't want to insult your intelligence, but after you downloaded the "Take ownership" zip file, I presume you unzipped it, saved it to desktop and ran it to edit the registry?

To run it, once it's unzipped and on desktop, just left click it. A warning comes up saying: "The publisher could not be verified, do you still want to run it?" Click: "Run". A 2nd warning then comes up re the registry, click: "Yes".

Once this is done, if you right click any file or folder, the option should be shown in the drop down menu to "Take ownership."

You didn't by any chance accidentally run "Remove Take Ownership"?

 

[wing23]

@poppa bear: yeah, I wrote that I copied both winmail folders
(so x64 and x86)
the only things I noticed:
1: I can't replace some of the wab-files in the folders (though I took ownership)
2: there's a file called windowsmailgadget.exe that doesn't exist on the DVD

you mean I should try to uninstall all windows updates? and this won't cause troubles?
I could try, I just have to make a new backup beforehand ... lol

but I'll try your suggestion about deleting all winmail files first

 

[mick823]

Heres how I preserved my Windows Mail until Service Pack 1 was installed and working (32-bit)
Renamed the C:\Program Files\Windows Mail folder to Windows Mail.new
Installed Service pack 1
Renamed the folder back to Windows Mail
Ran the WinMailEdit.reg from the WinMailEdit.zip download on page 1 of the tutorial.
Navigated to the Windows Mail folder and created a new shortcut on the desktop to the WinMail.exe program.
The only quirk I ran into was the layout which went back to the default of the reading pane below messages. I normally set reading pane to the side. Changed the view and all was back to normal.


On another issue:
Service Pack 1 failed from Windows Update with the dreaded 80004005 error.
Ran sfc /scannow and tried again. Failed
Downloaded KB976932 (SP1) and tried again. Failed
Performed a repair install by selecting the "Upgrade" option from the installation DVD. After completion the system prompted me to perform 60+ updates. Checked the list to make sure they were all checked, including all optional updates. Finally after all of that I did a check for updates and had the SP1 update available. After chugging along for what seemed to be hours sitting at 31% completion it finally installed properly.

I don't think this SP1 installation problem is a fluke or quirk because the exact same issues happened on 3 out of 3 computers in my household. Be prepared to spend 4-6 hours of your time to get the SP1 installed. I would like to know what the actual failure rate is and what is causing the problem. I suspect Microsoft is pulling their hair out on this one.

 

[Greg S]

On another issue:
Checked the list to make sure they were all checked, including all optional updates. Finally after all of that I did a check for updates and had the SP1 update available. After chugging along for what seemed to be hours sitting at 31% completion it finally installed properly.

I don't think this SP1 installation problem is a fluke or quirk because the exact same issues happened on 3 out of 3 computers in my household. Be prepared to spend 4-6 hours of your time to get the SP1 installed. I would like to know what the actual failure rate is and what is causing the problem. I suspect Microsoft is pulling their hair out on this one.

OK, this may be some decent news if there is any with MickeySoft. I've tried the WinUpdate for 4 times. Every time I've done it, it hangs at downloading on the 31 percent. I think my longest wait has been 5 hours before giving up and rolling back the install. I also downloaded the x86 install and have tried it 3 times with no joy. Was your 31 percent stall at downloading or install? Mine may be installing at the 31 percent but the update windows and the tray icon are stating that it's downloading.

Thanks

 

[wing23]

omg wow

Thanks Poppa Bear for the hints!

I renamed my old winmail folders
then did sfc /scannow, got lotsa errors about missing files (all related to already installed windows updates) and it re-created the winmail folders
then I uninstalled nearly all windows updates, except the .net 3.5 stuff, the one that can't be uninstalled (jan 2011) and the media center updates)
then I rebooted and ran the service pack hotfix (Windows6.1-KB947821-v10-x64)
then rebooted again (it didn't ask for it, I did it just to be sure)
then installed the SP1 pack (windows6.1-KB976932-X64)

it didn't take longer than the other times I tried, only a few minutes, I guess around 10 or something

blam, SP1 installed without errors!
then I replaced the msoe.dll files and winmail works

if anyone suffers the same problems, you also might try it like this
it might spare you time repairing or clean installing the OS again

edit: odd, but ok, windows update lists 7+1 new updates after SP1 ...

 

[mick823]

OK, this may be some decent news if there is any with MickeySoft. I've tried the WinUpdate for 4 times. Every time I've done it, it hangs at downloading on the 31 percent. I think my longest wait has been 5 hours before giving up and rolling back the install. I also downloaded the x86 install and have tried it 3 times with no joy. Was your 31 percent stall at downloading or install? Mine may be installing at the 31 percent but the update windows and the tray icon are stating that it's downloading.

Greg, No issues with the download. It was on the install where it stalled at 31% for about 30-45 minutes before moving up to a higher percentage before dumping out and telling me the installation failed. I had the same issue on 3 different PC's and it dumped out at different percentages on each of them.

 

[Greg S]

OK, this may be some decent news if there is any with MickeySoft. I've tried the WinUpdate for 4 times. Every time I've done it, it hangs at downloading on the 31 percent. I think my longest wait has been 5 hours before giving up and rolling back the install. I also downloaded the x86 install and have tried it 3 times with no joy. Was your 31 percent stall at downloading or install? Mine may be installing at the 31 percent but the update windows and the tray icon are stating that it's downloading.

Greg, No issues with the download. It was on the install where it stalled at 31% for about 30-45 minutes before moving up to a higher percentage before dumping out and telling me the installation failed. I had the same issue on 3 different PC's and it dumped out at different percentages on each of them.

OK, not decent news, lol. On a hunch, I though it may have been on the downloading. The fair person that I am, I decided to try again. Seven and one half hours it stalled at downloading on 31 percent. I'm done with it.

 

[mick823]

Some of the tech blogs are reporting that the modified Windows Mail is the culprit in the failure of the SP1 to install. Others are reporting that the culprit is addtional language packs and to uninstall anything other than English to get SP1 to install properly.

Neither of these "theories" holds water based on my experience. My daughters PC has a 1 month old install of W7 Home Premium 32-bit, no Windows Mail modification, no language packs and very little software added. I think MS office, AOL IM, and a VPN software for work. The SP1 fails with the exact same symptoms as seen on my Windows Mail modified PC's (3 installs).

 

[mick823]

Performed a repair install by selecting the "Upgrade" option from the installation DVD. After completion the system prompted me to perform 60+ updates. Checked the list to make sure they were all checked, including all optional updates. Finally after all of that I did a check for updates and had the SP1 update available. After chugging along for what seemed to be hours sitting at 31% completion it finally installed properly.

Greg,

This method worked for me without fail on 3 different machines. All of my software was retained and so far has worked without a hitch. It is time consuming and takes up to 6 hours depending on the computers relative power. My netbook with an Atom and 2GB took about 6 hours total while my dual core Dell with 3 GB took an hour or so less. My last line about "chugging along for what seemed like hours" was actually about 45-60 minutes. See my previous message #948 if you have the modified Windows Mail installed. It works on 32 bit but I don't know about 64 bit.

(Repair reinstall requires your 25 digit product code and will require re-activating afterwords...bummer)

 

[Sylver123]

Performed a repair install by selecting the "Upgrade" option from the installation DVD. After completion the system prompted me to perform 60+ updates. Checked the list to make sure they were all checked, including all optional updates. Finally after all of that I did a check for updates and had the SP1 update available. After chugging along for what seemed to be hours sitting at 31% completion it finally installed properly.

Greg,

This method worked for me without fail on 3 different machines. All of my software was retained and so far has worked without a hitch. It is time consuming and takes up to 6 hours depending on the computers relative power. My netbook with an Atom and 2GB took about 6 hours total while my dual core Dell with 3 GB took an hour or so less. My last line about "chugging along for what seemed like hours" was actually about 45-60 minutes. See my previous message #948 if you have the modified Windows Mail installed. It works on 32 bit but I don't know about 64 bit.

(Repair reinstall requires your 25 digit product code and will require re-activating afterwords...bummer)

You don`t need to keep re-activating your Windows 7 online if you use this tool below to back up your activation and then you can restore it at any time.
Paymyrent Token restore for mak keys and retail

 

[TheEagle54]

Just to clarify the situation and hopefully help others by not having to read through all the thread.

This is what I have found re Win 7 and SP1

OPTION 1 (WORKS)
Reformatted PC installed Win 7 (64 bit) Home Premium; then immediately installed SP1 using the .exe file (windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe).
Then using the tutorial I installed Windows Mail

OPTION 2 (PROBLEMS - DID NOT WORK)
Had Windows 7 and Windows Mail working last 16 months with no problems, when I tried to install SP1 windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe it would not complete. Finally after many hours I managed to get it to install; however the existing Windows Mail would not work.
Tried repair all to no avail. As time was not on my side (needed PC up and running) the only way I managed to get it to work was reformatting (see option 1)

 

[zagidram]

Window Calendar

Hi Greg, Hi Poppa Bear
Wanted to let you know, tried the regedits (WinCalEdit) you did to enable Windows Calendar to operate from the button on the top taskbar of WinMail.exe in Windows 7 32bit installation. It does not work. Happens nothing after the button click. Can you help me pls!

 

[Gobbledegeek]

Is this the answer to installing SP1?

Try this if you have used the method described at the front of this thread to enable Windows Mail in Win 7 and now can't install SP1:

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Windows Mail\ and move the file msoe.dll to another location. If it won't move you will need to 'take control' of the file as described in the first page of this thread. (This is the file you downloaded to make the modification).

2. Open Control Panel - System and Security - Windows Update - View update history. Look for KB978542 and uninstall it. This update addresses a security threat to Windows Mail and makes numerous changes to the registry. I think this is what is causing the conflict with SP1. On my machine this update installed in August 2010, which may help you to find it in the list.

3. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run the System File Checker (Start - All Programs - Acessories, right click on 'Command Prompt' and select 'Run as Administrator). Enter sfc /scannow. This checks the integrity of the system and tries to make corrections where it can. If the process terminates with a message saying there are no conflicts you should be good to go - install SP1, otherwise go to 5.

4. If SP1 has installed you just need to re-enable Windows Mail. In the Windows Mail folder you will find a new version of msoe.dll created by the upgrade process. Rename this and copy back the msoe.dll file that you moved in Step 1. If in any doubt this should be the same file that you downloaded from the front page of this thread. Windows Mail should now be functional in SP1.

5. If the System File Checker says that it found errors but could not correct them all then you still have a problem. Go to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\ and copy the file CBS.log to another location (you won't be able to open the original). Open the file with a text editor and search for 'cannot repair'. This may suggest where you are having problems - that's how I found KB978542 - but you are on your own as I am no expert in interpreting the contents of this file.

This worked for me on two laptops and one desktop. Hope this helps someone. Of course your mileage may vary and I am not liable if it doesn't work for you!

 

[zagidram]

Hi Greg, Hi Poppa Bear
Wanted to let you know, tried the regedits (WinCalEdit) you did to enable Windows Calendar to operate from the button on the top taskbar of WinMail.exe in Windows 7 32bit installation. It does not work. Happens nothing after the button click. Can you help me pls!

Problem solved!

 

[Greg S]

Try this if you have used the method described at the front of this thread to enable Windows Mail in Win 7 and now can't install SP1:

Which method are you referring to? I assume it is the original first method. Reason being, if you followed the one by Poppa Bear, sfc /scannow shouldn't make a difference where msoe.dll is concerned. Part of the regedits that are done for his tut remove the winsxs reference for the reversal of the original msoe.dll.

 

[Greg S]

Hi Greg, Hi Poppa Bear
Wanted to let you know, tried the regedits (WinCalEdit) you did to enable Windows Calendar to operate from the button on the top taskbar of WinMail.exe in Windows 7 32bit installation. It does not work. Happens nothing after the button click. Can you help me pls!

Problem solved!

Hi zagidram, sorry, I didn't see the request till now. Glad you got it working.

 

[roncerr]

Saw this at the Browsers and Mail Forum:

http://www.sevenforums.com/browsers-mail/147519-fix-windows-mail-after-sp1-update.html

 

[swblake]

Issue with Windows Mail Reinstate

Hello- I, and several others, have encountered an issue after running the Windows Mail Reinstate on Win7. It works nicely, as advertised. We all installed it before Win7 SP1 was released.However, it appears to interfere with the Service Pack 1 install process. Apparently, the msoe.dll file doesn't pass the System File Checker part of the process, since it's (obviously) not the original. SP1 returns with Error 80004005. I've attempted in several ways to overwrite that msoe.dll with the original, but copies are buried in the Windows\Winsxs folder, making for a difficult fix. Any chance the individuals involved in the original Windows Mail Reinstate could write up an "undo" script? At this time, I have three PCs with this issue, can't run SP1 successfully on any of them. All are Win7 Home Premium, x64. Have heard of identical issues with other versions, however.

 

[swblake]

Whoa, just saw the fix (I hope)

Immediately after posting the previous comments about the Win7 SP1 issues after reinstating Windows Mail, I saw the post about the fix for that issue. Am attempting the SP1 update now, on an x64 OS. Will post back on results....