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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

 

[t-4-2]

Great tohave used thjis to get Windows Mail up with Windows 7. However, there seem sto be some differences to using it with Vista ;
1. Attachments seem to be accessible only by double clicking the mail item whereas under Vista a box appeared allowing one to view or save.
2. I have three alias's and when I reply to an email, Windows Mail always takes one specific one which is not the default. If I spot this then I can easily change but is there any way of making the default alias appear as the reply every time ?

1. If you have IE9, the issue you mentioned is a known bug. There is yet to have a fix or a patch for it.

2. I don't have WM anymore. If I remember correctly, after you've clicked Create Mail, look to the right hand side, you are given a choice of which account you are sending mail. Yes ?
Also, if the mail is addressed to alias #3, then your reply will bear alias #3 account. Yes ?

 

[Greg S]

Does the inability to send mail only happen when you are "on the road" and not using your normal ISP's connection to the internet?

I often have this problem but only on the road. Unfortunately I am on the road every week. I can't send today from this Hampton Inn in GA but I could on Monday at the Hampton in Portland OR. I have always found this extremely frustrating. In an emergency I have to use Google Mail but I don't like to use it.

I have similar issues at different hotels when working out of town. One issue in particular is if the hotel has one of those login pages for the net that has to be refreshed and logged back in every 24 hours. The search page I use doesn't pick up on the re-login but if I bring up a Google search page, it does. It's very annoying to me. If I'm at a hotel for an extended stay, I usually request to not have to do the re-login every 24 hours. The hotel manager contacts their ISP about it, they call me and do something which over rides the 24 hour restriction.

 

[Dullstroom1]

Yes, I am using IE9 so hope that a fix becomes available. Regarding the alias, no - the reply alias is almost always the same and usually NOT the one to which the original email is addressed !

 

[roncerr]

Does the inability to send mail only happen when you are "on the road" and not using your normal ISP's connection to the internet?

I often have this problem but only on the road. Unfortunately I am on the road every week. I can't send today from this Hampton Inn in GA but I could on Monday at the Hampton in Portland OR. I have always found this extremely frustrating. In an emergency I have to use Google Mail but I don't like to use it.

I have similar issues at different hotels when working out of town. One issue in particular is if the hotel has one of those login pages for the net that has to be refreshed and logged back in every 24 hours. The search page I use doesn't pick up on the re-login but if I bring up a Google search page, it does. It's very annoying to me. If I'm at a hotel for an extended stay, I usually request to not have to do the re-login every 24 hours. The hotel manager contacts their ISP about it, they call me and do something which over rides the 24 hour restriction.

The only similarity is "travel" or changing your location. Those original posts had to do with sending mail from an ISP not providing the email service so you are "relaying" your mail through them which they don't like since you may be a spammer. So the email program provides a setting to authenticate outgoing mail. The situation you describe has to do with internet access and how long each person on the network is allowed to use it before having to log in again. When you asked, your computer's MAC address was given special permission to use the IP assigned to you for a longer time. Networking vs. sending mail, two different issues.

 

[Greg S]

I often have this problem but only on the road. Unfortunately I am on the road every week. I can't send today from this Hampton Inn in GA but I could on Monday at the Hampton in Portland OR. I have always found this extremely frustrating. In an emergency I have to use Google Mail but I don't like to use it.

I have similar issues at different hotels when working out of town. One issue in particular is if the hotel has one of those login pages for the net that has to be refreshed and logged back in every 24 hours. The search page I use doesn't pick up on the re-login but if I bring up a Google search page, it does. It's very annoying to me. If I'm at a hotel for an extended stay, I usually request to not have to do the re-login every 24 hours. The hotel manager contacts their ISP about it, they call me and do something which over rides the 24 hour restriction.

The only similarity is "travel" or changing your location. Those original posts had to do with sending mail from an ISP not providing the email service so you are "relaying" your mail through them which they don't like since you may be a spammer. So the email program provides a setting to authenticate outgoing mail. The situation you describe has to do with internet access and how long each person on the network is allowed to use it before having to log in again. When you asked, your computer's MAC address was given special permission to use the IP assigned to you for a longer time. Networking vs. sending mail, two different issues.

I was merely expressing my frustrations with hotels in my travels as well.

 

[kewl1]

I have similar issues at different hotels when working out of town. One issue in particular is if the hotel has one of those login pages for the net that has to be refreshed and logged back in every 24 hours. The search page I use doesn't pick up on the re-login but if I bring up a Google search page, it does. It's very annoying to me. If I'm at a hotel for an extended stay, I usually request to not have to do the re-login every 24 hours. The hotel manager contacts their ISP about it, they call me and do something which over rides the 24 hour restriction.

The only similarity is "travel" or changing your location. Those original posts had to do with sending mail from an ISP not providing the email service so you are "relaying" your mail through them which they don't like since you may be a spammer. So the email program provides a setting to authenticate outgoing mail. The situation you describe has to do with internet access and how long each person on the network is allowed to use it before having to log in again. When you asked, your computer's MAC address was given special permission to use the IP assigned to you for a longer time. Networking vs. sending mail, two different issues.

I was merely expressing my frustrations with hotels in my travels as well.

I hear Ya. Me too

 

[Donz]

System Restore Just In Case...?

Will System Restore un-do most everything in case there is a problem going to Windows Mail?

Thanks....

 

[Brink]

Hello Donz, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, it would undo all changes made to system files and folders if you create a restore point before doing the tutorial.

 

[Noonien Soong]

As for those who endeavored to upgrade to SP1 WIN7, All I had to do was re-install msoe.dll on the 64 bit side. All went well with a renaming before copying into C: Program Files/ Windows Mail, then renamed back to original name.


P.S. after installation of SP1 there was a message of restore point for a roll back in case of a mistake. thank goodness, almost overlooked.
---------- Delete this if redundant

 

[roncerr]

...restore point for a roll back in case of a mistake. thank goodness, almost overlooked....

If all went smooth, you did not need the restore point. So why mention it; especially why mention it and say "thank goodness"?

P.S. Are you sure remaming the new dll before moving it and then renaming it back is necessary?

 

[Noonien Soong]

...restore point for a roll back in case of a mistake. thank goodness, almost overlooked....

If all went smooth, you did not need the restore point. So why mention it; especially why mention it and say "thank goodness"?

P.S. Are you sure remaming the new dll before moving it and then renaming it back is necessary?

A "just in case" circumstance was made to prevent a mistake. This was done prior to re-instantiating WinMail and was part of the Service pack 1 installation, not of my making.There are times when the necessity shouldn't be overlooked.

P.S. renaming the DLL is needed as there is a mechanism in the software to resolve a nasty conflict as it is an important to the op system.
Besides I was following the installation procedures outlined in the tutorial.

Tis better to be safe than sorry.

 

[roncerr]

...I was following the installation procedures outlined in the tutorial...

Yes, that's the correct way to do it. But the word "rename" does not appear in the tutorial. It does say to copy and save the old dll as a backup which could also be accomplished by renaming it (the old one). It does not say anything that I could find about renaming the new one before moving it and renaming it back after the move, which is why I was confused. Anyway glad to hear that the current tutorial *.dll is the correct one for post SP1.

 

[Donz]

***Tell Microsoft What We Want...!

Hi,

As a system builder, building an average of 8 computers a week amoungst other things i find that by far the majority of people do not want WLM or Mozila thunderbird.

I would reduce my sales to roughly 2 maybe 3 a week if i was unable to hack in Windows Mail.

If they can't have Windows Mail with Win7 they want WinXP.

If everybody reading this thread would contact Microsoft asking for Windows Mail back i'm sure they would give in.

To contact Microsoft by email: https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/emailcontact.aspx?scid=sw;en;1513&ws=MoreInfo

If everybody does it they should get thousands of requests.

I have tried WLM and i hate it, i've tried Mozila Thunderbird, it's OK but prefer WinMail.

MICROSOFT: GIVE US WINDOWS MAIL BACK PLEASE!

Great Idea well worth repeating here.
I sent mime....(Twice)
Use the above link to tell MSFT what you think.
Copy Here: https://support.microsoft.com/contac...13&ws=MoreInfo

As a newbie here on Seven, thanks to all for great information.

Don

 

[Donz]

Unable to open .pps files within WM

After my changeover to Windows Mail I was unable to open .pps files within WM.
I was in fact able to drag the file to my desktop and open it from there.

Simple fix was to go into Control Panel >Default Programs >Associate file type... > .pps, click on Change Program , In my case Microsoft Office PowerPoint Viewer was the only choice, highlight, and click OK.

Worked fine.


Don

 

[alaamostafa15]

Hello
I have followed the tutorial to install Windows mail on a lap top belongs to one of my colleagues. It has been working fine for about 3 months now. Recently it starts to show problems. He has configured his laptop to hibernate when he close laptop lid, he found that if he hibernate and awake his pc then windows mail would not send or receive any email. He has to exit windows mail and launch it to be able to send or receive anything. He also found that he can't save any draft.
Now the problem became worst. Now even if he shuts down the PC and starts it then launch Windows mail he will find the same problems that he can not send, receive or save any email. He has to exit Windows mail and launch it 2 or 3 times till it works. When it works it will work fine and does all functions.
So would you please advise if re installing Windows mail as mentioned in the tutorial would fix this problem, or do you have any other recommendation where to look for problem cause.
Best regards

 

[kadelus]

Thank You

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Mr. Stubbs]

I followed all the steps and it worked until I tried to download windows 7 sp1. (which failed) Then windows mail comes up and gets mail but then disappears. I cannot read the mail. Another thread advised this problem was mentioned here but I cannot find it mentioned or a solution. Any advice?

 

[billg226]

Windows Mail has Slowed

I succsefully got Windows Mail working in Windows 7 (SP1) about 7 months ago. At first it Opened so fast my head would spin, lol. Now it will still open fast to the left side Folders List but very slow to Open Mail on right side.
Inbox has less than 70 Emails in it, Deleted Folder Empties every time I close it which is nightly, I let it Compact when I get the prompt, I have only 14 Accounts, Send Folder has less than 20 Emails in it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for your GREAT POST on getting Windows Mail working in Windows 7...............Bill

 

[00Tman]

Help... mail stopped working?

Hi.

Computer failed to start. turned off, then back on again.
Starts and goes to a screen before win 7 (64bit), and suggests running a check to fix problems.
So run the check, pc turns off then on again and starts as it should. Only go to open windows mail, but icon depresses, pc thinks about it for a second, then icon goes back to normal and nothing happens???

Tried downloading the WinMailEdit.zip. but just seemed to open up in word and nothing happened.

Tried replacing msoe.dll, but no change.

Tried Manually edit the registry key incase the WinMailEdit.zip didnt work, but eml_auto_file, under Classes, isnt even there???

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[00Tman]

Ok update, I am receiving mail received sounds and the little icon notification down the bottom right tool bar, saying I have mail. So mail seems to be running, I just cant open it in a window to view it at all?

Thanks