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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

---

• 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]

How weird, but then Windows tends to be weird in any case...LOL.

 

[Banyarola]

Now the next thing I need to find out is about the junk folder.
I was wondering if I could d/l and install the latest definition file from Microsoft.

Is it even a valid idea being I'm running Windows mail in Windows 7 and would it even install or would it create big problems.

Any ideas on that?

 

[Ex_Brit]

See what Windows Update offers, but I doubt it will be possible. Can't you just create one and use Rules?

 

[Banyarola]

I tried update and it shows nothing.
I'm not gonna mess with it.

I can use the rules as you suggest and I have been since I got it running.
It's not that big of a deal because I don't get that much spam.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Yes, best leave it alone. I use another email client anyway.

 

[Banyarola]

Well Brit, I also have Thunderbird but always liked OE.

I have windows XP on another drive and can boot to that but I rarely do.

Thunderbird is O.K. but I really liked OE and while TB filled the void I'm glad to get this running...I'm more comfortable with it and can set it up the way I like with signatures and stationary...

Anyway, thanks for your help....

 

[Ex_Brit]

OK, good luck.

 

[Banyarola]

SECURITY???Now I'm Not Sure..

When I got Windows 7 I was sorry to see OE gone so I got and used Thunderbird..Which isn't that bad and close to OE...

Now that I have installed Windows Mail in Windows 7 I felt like I was back home again with OE..

But, as I use it I notice that I have big security concerns about it.

First, it allows you to open suspicious emails..Thunderbird blocks the content of suspicious emails.

Second, A friend sent me a short video clip and Windows Mail allowed me to open it without scanning it...Thunderbird scans files with MSE when opening them.

Of course, OE didn't do any scanning either but I was used to that.
And that was always a big complaint with OE...


I know I don't have to use it but I would like to hear what others have to say about this.

Thanks Guys...

 

[endeavor]

~In WM if you want to, you can go to Options> Read> In Plain Text
(fwiw, I prefer to openly use the Preview Pane and also have WM set to read it in the format it was sent, which my close nit family of friends always use HTML anyway because of it's convenient therefore valuable benefits)
~Also you can set in Options> Security> Do Not Allow Attachments To Be Opened That Could potentially Be A Virus, etc....
~Also on that same tab you can set it to Restricted Sites...

Anyway, most of which I don't do since for me I consider them to be a nuisance to my experience, rather than a problem, but that's just me in my bullet proof setup, ymmv!

Besides, most AV's have an email plug-in, for instance I use the stand alone AV of NOD32, and that fully protects the WM email client even if I turn the plug-in off, it still gots me covered.

Sure MS doesn't support WM anymore and won't update it - Big Deal is my attitude about it, although sure, I wish they did.

Long Live WM <vbg>

Naturally, Always Always Always have complete partiton image backups, and Always practice safe hex..

 

[stephengca]

Hi Dezent, welcome to the forums.

You could try Windows Live mail that comes with Live Essentials. Just a thought

Solved it in another way

Thanks guys!

Care to share?

 

[grits]

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.

Did I miss something? I did the winmail64.bat but then was expecting to find the WinMail Shortcut on my desk top. It's not there so do I need to go back to instructions on pg. 1 & do more?

Thank you.

 

[endeavor]

Hi grits,

This project is sort of self-serve these days, and so you need to be willing to do the legwork yourself. Yes I realize there's no simple way for you to know what the ..bat file does and does not do unless you are computer savvy.

Yes you have to make the shortcut yourself,

Go back and read page 1 and do the few things the bat file didn't do for you, one of which is the shortcut and so Read "#4. Manually show hidden files" so that you can find WinMail.exe and send shortcut to Desktop, and from there you can also copy that to where ever else you want, I put it in my QuickLaunch just like it used to be, but that there's another subject too.

As for #3 there ..per your pm, answered here, fwiw, the winmail64.bat did #3 already replacing the 64 bit msoe.dll in your appropriate folder. Yes I agree, I like WinMail (OE similar) better than all the rest too.

 

[grits]

I did the 'show hidden, etc., then found the WinMail.exe & sent to desktop but when I clicked on nothing happened. So went back to Windows Mail folder & 'Restored Defaults' because at that point I threw up my hands & decided I'm just not savvy. As much as I hate to, guess I'll have to resort to WLM but from some things I've read, will try to find version 2009.
Thanks for trying.
oh, just for the heck of it will attach shot of what I ended up with after opening the batch.

 

[tangentjohn]

Sounds like you sent winmail.exe to your desktop? You send a SHORTCUT to it to your desktop. The exe file must reside right where it is to work.
Right click it> create shortcut> then send the shortcut to your desk top. Should work.

 

[grits]

I'm sorry I got you so flustered. I'm flustered myself because it sounded sooo easy & yet I managed to mess up. Can we start over?

I'm not sure why you are showing us a screenshot of the files contained within the zip file??? which is not relevant to anything, it's just files that were in the zip file, but yet you say it's what you end up with after opening the batch? ..none of this makes any sense sorry.

Guess I thought you should see it?


I'm not sure what you mean you did either by saying you restored defaults.
#4.Manually show hidden files . . .last sentence says to restore view defaults?

For heavens sake, the process of enabling the already existing WinMail in Win7 is so blessed easy... and you think by installing any other version of a different email client like WLM is going to make things work better for you...?
You're so close just one click away from having it work, but give up because of, why...? If you can't do this how are you even going to install another email client? Now you have me wondering from what you say in your first post about "I did the winmail64.bat" I'm wondering what did you do with it.

So what is the 'one click'? And I'm assuming that's after I do step #4.Manually show hidden,etc.?
I have in the past installed & set up other email clients.
In my 'Downloads Folder' I have the 'zip folder for the batch file'

No wonder why Brink doesn't want to take over this project <g>

Sorry if I'm being impatient..

I can't blame you.
I hope you don't have too much problem sorting out this post, I really wasn't sure how to answer you & use your quote at the same time, sorry.

 

[endeavor]

Dear Grits,
I see you have my post quoted and intermingled with your answer inside of one quote..<sigh>

#4.Manually show hidden files . . .last sentence says to restore view defaults?

The only thing that does grits is let you see or not see files on your computer which their properties are set hidden is all - when you set it back to default it's not restoring all the changes you've made with WinMail, this setting is only of esthetic value. I have always left hidden files showing and much prefer it that way. I guess perhaps it confuses people and that's why Mark wrote to put it back to default if one wanted to, but it certainly does not affect the operation of anything one way or the other, it's only a visual, esthetic, or appearance thing however you want to say it. The point is here that when MS decided to not release WM with 7, they just set the files hidden, and so that's why you have to unhide them in this particular exercise to work with them.

So what is the 'one click'?

I'm sorry, I have used that term just as an analogy is all, but really, my one click point is similar to the time it took me to type the first paragraph of this post is how long it takes to run the correct .bat file, and find the correct WinMail.exe to run so that the email program will open for you to go forward - it's that simple really, and so all these paragraph of words is essentially making it more complicated. I guess the understanding of written words when trying to explain something to someone else can complicate things. Also the fact that we now have a .bat file to automate most (but not all) of the page 1 tutorial makes it more complicated for 'first timers' to decipher what's what, that's why we asked Brink to step in and take over Mark's, Poppa Bear, Greg S, Ex_Brit, & Others, Project, and maybe rewrite the tutorial to include the automation now; but having said that I certainly don't blame him/them if they don't want to and understand why, although really wish someone would consider it. However the simplicity yet complexity of this project just takes too much time to tend to though, especially considering as each day that goes by there will be less and less people even interested in pursuing this project, and at some point in time it Will have to come to an end.

For myself, and I'm sure many others, I will use WinMail till the year 2020+ or whenever I switch to a new OS...
I love using WinMail ! ...and I love using the Newsgroup aspect of it too, aamof, here's a Screenshot of my WM gui shown opened to a random newsgroup post. Or here's a Screenshot of just the local folders Outbox gui.
The fact that I don't need to install yet another separate email client on 7, but just activate one that's already there, appeals to me, not to mention the fact that I've used Outlook Express since it was developed back in what.. 1996? ...I'm just used to it, heck I still have the same wife too <g>


.

 

[grits]

You snuck in to make an edit while I was making myself some final notes so I could re-try this again. As long as you seem to be around, let me run this by you: I need to do the manual #4 step then just go back to where I have the batch file & run the winmail64.
If you look at 'My System Specs' I do have 64bit.
"Thanks" for being so patient & understanding.

 

[endeavor]

grits I was only talking about being aware of the information in the # 4 "Footnotes Section" and referencing that screenshot showing the 32 bit (x86) program folder or the 64 bit one so that you don't mix them up, I wasn't talking about the first #4 section, but in either case the .bat file does that all for you anyway, iow, if you were to edit and look at the bat file it has provisions to set that WinMail.exe visible anyway, it sets ownerships, swaps out the correct msoe.dll etc...

Yes you can run the .bat file again if for some reason you didn't do it right in the first place? ..it doesn't really matter how many times you run it since it will just keep rewriting the same information.

It's been a while since I've needed to go over the 'manual procedures' and so hope I haven't missed anything concerning your 64 bit install, but after you ran the correct bat file which in your case it's the winmail64.bat which you can even right click it and run as administrator, then pretty much all you have to do is start the WinMail.exe 'from its 64 bit folder' not the 32 (or Send To Desktop it's shortcut and do it) ..and then after WinMail opens you set up your mail client as usual.

The bat file is just an alternative easy one-click install for steps 1 thru 4 including footnotes. ...of course to transfer/import Contacts, Accounts, Emails, etc, from a previous installation that will have to all be done manually following tutorial steps 5 & 6, there's no way around that.

Good Luck


.

 

[grits]

I must have something messed up somewhere in my machine, just tried it again & no go, don't have the WinMail.exe now.

 

[endeavor]

grits it has to be something sooo blessed simple there, geeeze!
I'm not able to see what your fingers are actually clicking, or what you are really doing..

If you want to, go back to the first page and do "#4. Manually show hidden files"
...do what it says there (except the last line don't restore default view settings this time) ...but when you're done in the few seconds this should take, you should be able to instantly see the WinMail.exe in its folder now!!! ...as well if you have already run the .bat file, the WinMail.exe properties should be A instead of HSA

Now, what do you see after you do #4 ?