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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

 

[Ex_Brit]

It looks good but I would have to go for the Pro (paid) version as I have several email accounts.

 

[morph000]

Join the club...so do I, so I went for the paid version, but it's worth it !

 

[Ex_Brit]

Well I use Incredimail XE (the older version) still but do have Vista Windows Mail up and running in both 7 and 8 should I ever need it. I know Incredimail is considered by many to be adware, but it really isn't once you've bought the lifetime license which I did years ago. The trouble with it is I only like the original version. Their new one is too gaudy for my tastes, also it isn't fully Win 8 compatible if anyone is wondering.
So this one is definitely on my "worth looking at" list. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[pete39]

I’ve tried eM Client a couple of times and was impressed but also disappointed in that it didn't have a backup facility or have Bayesian spam control.
Thunderbird has a good Bayesian filter but you need to know where to look to make it work properly, plus there is a very good free backup program available.
Pete

 

[Ex_Brit]

No backup would turn me against any mail client. My spam problems are all very effectively dealt with by Spamcop Webmail who filter all my mail before it reaches me.

It would appear that the latest version of eM Client should have backup according to this thread: Backup data

 

[Ex_Brit]

Also from eM Client pages:

eM Client 5 is now released, here are some of the new features:

- Brand new Windows 8 modern look
- Full support for Windows 8​

- Full featured mail backup and restore​

- Even better support for GMail & Hotmail
- Automatic archiving of old messages
- Brand new calendar with new look
+ over 100 more features & improvements​

 

[pete39]

Very tempted as it now has a backup facility.
Personally I would rather have bult in spam control, more control and accessiblity.
Is it still very slow to load?

 

[tktk88]

I am using Windows 7 Pro and Windows Mail installed per the Tutorial on here...........no prblems for over a year with mail working or opening attachements.........in past few days I am now unable to open word files pdf files excel files power point files that are attachements in email...............I can open any of these files on my computer but not in windows mail...........wondering if the latest Windows updates this past week have any effect on this issue??

 

[endeavor]

I am using Windows 7 Pro and Windows Mail installed per the Tutorial on here...........no prblems for over a year with mail working or opening attachements.........in past few days I am now unable to open word files pdf files excel files power point files that are attachements in email...............I can open any of these files on my computer but not in windows mail...........wondering if the latest Windows updates this past week have any effect on this issue??

I've had no problems with Windows Updates affecting WM
If there is a particular update that you did let me know and I'll check it out, but first, Perhaps it's just the option in WM to open attachments got unchecked somehow.

Go to the top tab of Tools> Options> Security> ..and in here be sure that the box is un-checked for this:
*Do not allow attachments to be opened....

If it's checked, then un-check it, and click Apply



.

 

[Brink]

This tutorial is back by popular demand.

 

[Bart2010]

Glad to hear it!

Still struggling along with Windows Mail on my Seven laptop. Inexplicably, after recent updates the program crashes and restarts when trying to open mail from one or two specific senders. This can be avoided by checking "Read all messages in plain text" (when opening, and only sending in plain text if I want to send a reply) so that's an annoyance to live with.

 

[Ex_Brit]

This tutorial is back by popular demand.

Thanks. Win 8/8.1 only...this is an FYI only. Weird thing, I used my archived copy of the file to set up WM in a new installation of Win 8.1 and it wouldn't work, WM wouldn't open....until I swapped the Windows Mail folder in Program Files for a copy of my Vista one.
Then it just worked magically as if the fixes then had something concrete to work on. Very strange.
I guess I'll never know why that happened.

Edit: I just remembered what the problem was....I noticed that in the Win Mail folder in 8.1 the WinMail.exe (for one) was missing and the fix, as is, doesn't replace it.

As you can see from the two following illustrations, the Vista folder (2) is much larger than the native 8.1 folder (1)

 

[Slartybart]

Ex_Brit: This tutorial only applies to Windows 7.

The Win8 process to reinstate WM is discussed here: Solved Windows Mail Anyone?

.....I used my archived copy of the file to set up WM in a new installation of Win 8.1 and it wouldn't work, WM wouldn't open....until I swapped the Windows Mail folder in Program Files for a copy of my Vista one.

 

[Slartybart]

Bart2010: When did you reinstate WM? The tutorial changed a little over a year ago to incorporate many corrective posts in the origiinal tut, although the original posts are still here.

The easiest thing to do is simply run through the current tutorial (posts prior to 1230 do not apply to this iteration and were left in place only as a reference)

Glad to hear it!

Still struggling along with Windows Mail on my Seven laptop. Inexplicably, after recent updates the program crashes and restarts when trying to open mail from one or two specific senders.

This can be avoided by checking "Read all messages in plain text" (when opening, and only sending in plain text if I want to send a reply) so that's an annoyance to live with.

Thanks for posting your workaround.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Well I am keeping a copy of my Windows Mail folders, both x86 and x64 in the cloud for future reference, just in case.

If anyone needs them let me know.

 

[TCSnoopy]

Does this work in Windows 7 enterprise as well? Thanks in advance.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I can't find anything that says it wont work, so it's probably worth a try.

 

[Slartybart]

TCSnoopy: It should - follow the main tutorial only.

Post questions if you have them. People have had difficulty if they follow posts between 1 and 1230 - much of the discussion after 1230 is banter. It's better to ask anew.

This tutorial reinstates basic functionality of WinMail running under Win7.
Calendaring in WinMail is covered under a seperate tutorial - see the related tutorial.

 

[Ex_Brit]

I wonder if Shawn is going to put the shortcut links back in the Tutorial Index as I see there are none?

 

[Ex_Brit]

Slartybart, yes sorry I digressed. I've clarified that post as applying to 8/8.1. Sorry I just re-read your post and realised I hadn't answered it.

My apologies.