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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

 

[poppa bear]

You're welcome

To KevN2009 re:

Holy Crap it actually worked! Thanks Poppa Bear!

Hey that's great. You're welcome & I'm glad it worked. Me think it amazing! Whenever I offer possible solutions in forums, I cross all my fingers and toes and think: "Hope to hell this works and I don't screw up someone's PC!"

But really the solution is a joint effort and the credit goes to all the various persons in the chain of trial and error steps to get the solution.

I'm not really that unselfish. I just enjoy trying to solve problems on my own PC and if I can offer something that helps others, I'm glad to do so, because I know how good I feel when someone on a forum like this helps me with a problem solver.

Cheers PB.

 

[pete39]

I'm really struggling to get Windows Mail to work, I've read every post, some I understand some I don't.

I have used Take Ownership and removed Windows Live Mail 64 and installed Windows Mail 64 as per tutorial.

I have the shortcut on the desktop but when I try to open from there it says:-
Windows Mail could not be started. The application was unable to open the Windows Mail message store. Windows Mail was unable to locate its message database. If you’ve moved the database files to a new location, click okay to reset the database to that location.
I clicked okay and I now click on the hidden folder Widows Mail hoping that will do the trick, it doesn’t!
The next error message I get is:-
Windows Mail could not be started. The application was unable to open the Windows Mail message store.
The last error message I get is:-
Windows Mail could not be started because MSOE.DLL could not be initialised.

Have I installed things in the correct program file folders, bit confusing all that.

Any ideas please?

 

[poppa bear]

To Pete39 re:

Windows Mail could not be started because MSOE.DLL could not be initialised

Another member Meriu had the same problem shown in post 182 in page 19 of this thread.

In his case he had a 64 bit installation of Win7, which had two sets of program files. One was for 32 bit applications. He had imported Windows Mail from Vista to the wrong set of program files. If you imported a 32 bit version of Windows Mail from Vista it must go in the Program Files for 32 bit, not 64. The 64 bit Program Files should be clearly marked in the C:\ drive found in Start Menu/Computer.

You also stated you used "Take control" to remove Windows Mail Live. If you had Win Mail Live installed it should have been removed using the program removal option in Control Panel.

However, the folder you really need to remove using "Take control" is the original Windows Mail, (not Windows Mail Live), from the program files of Win7.

As suggested to Meriu, I'd suggest starting afresh by first removing all Windows Mail files from program files in Win7, then importing a fresh copy of Windows Mail from Vista.

To go to a comprehensive guide telling you step-by-step how to do this click this link here. It's best to read the whole post carefully before starting, including the footnotes at the end.

Good luck. PB

 

[Apollo3434]

Usually when you're running Win7 it will have two sets of program files, one of which is for 32 bit applications. If you haven't got Vista 64 bit operating system from which to import Vista Windows Mail, you could try importing the 32 bit version, but make sure you paste the whole Vista Windows Mail folder into the correct 32 bit Program Files.

Hi folks. My first post here. I have read this entire thread, and tried the fix at the tutorial several times. Then I realized I was loading a version of windows mail from a 32 bit Vista Machine. AND, the 64 bit download is now unavailable.

I have now copied my windows mail from my PC running a 32 bit version of vista to the Windows Mail Folder in Programs (x86) (the 32 bit program files) on a new 64 bit windows7 laptop.

At first I got the MSOE.DLL message pete mentions. As I had also deleted the contents of the Windows Mail file from the regular prgram files, I reloaded them.

When I click to open the app, no error messages (good), no lock up of the machine as happened on previous attempts (good), but no windows mail. (bad). But lo and behold, task manager shows it running as an application.

So, is it now a default program matter. I do not see it in the default programs list. Windows Live Mail is still there. (I did not load Windows Live Mail).

Any ideas what my next step is?

btw - the laptop is a new Dell bought for my mother at Christmas, so there's a lot at stake here.

I'd suggest starting afresh by first removing all Windows Mail files from program files in Win7, then importing a fresh copy of Windows Mail from Vista.

To go to a comprehensive guide telling you step-by-step how to do this click this link here. It's best to read the whole post carefully before starting, including the footnotes at the end.

So, in reference to my post above, should I also delete the files from the Windows Mail folder of the regular programs directory as well?

Will try that now.

 

[myzr7]

Welcome to Windows Forums Apollo3434
Have you tried to open your mail folder and clicking on this?

 

[Apollo3434]

Thanks myzr. Will try it.

I since deleted the Windows Mail files in the regular directory and am back to getting the "MSOE.DLL could not be loaded" message.

...sigh ...

And if I reload the contents of the Windows Mail folder in the regular program directory, and then run the mail app as administrator out of the x86 Windows Mail File, I get the same result as before: Task Manager shows Windows Mail as running but I cannot access it.

.... sigh again ...

 

[poppa bear]

To apollo3434

Several other members in this thread have had the same problem of MSOE.DLL could not be loaded.

Meriu, (post 187, page 19), had loaded the imported Windows Mail 32 bit into his X84 program files and got the same result as this was the 64 bit program files. He finally fixed it as quoted:

Yes Yes Yes ! I have installed it on my PC. The problem was that I didn't Install it in 'Program Files' but in 'Program Files (x84)

KevN2009, (post 201, this page), also could not set Windows Mail as default nor associate .eml email files with Win Mail.

My problem is, I still can't open attachments (.eml) from within Microsoft Mail. I tried to associate .eml files with Winmail.exe but that still would not open the attachment. Then I just tried to associate .eml with a different .exe and now it is stuck on that one and will not let me change it.

He fixed it by doing the following steps:

1. First uninstall Windows Mail Live using the uninstall option in Control Panel/Program Files.

2. Delete all Windows Mail files from Program files in Win7 and start afresh.

3. To do this, go to this guide by clicking here and carefully do it step by step.

If you can't get the 64 bit version of Windows Mail Vista, you can try using the 32 bit put into the correct 32 bit program files of Win7. It can be downloaded by clicking here.

Once the web page is open, click on the free download option. Wait 60 seconds, then click the download option again.

Good luck.

 

[pete39]

To PB from Pete39

I have done as suggested from Techspot but I'm still having the same problem and getting the same error messages but before I go any further will it be worth doing the following?
Because I made the mistake some while ago of not removing Windows Mail Live by using the program removal option in Control Panel. I deleted it in the Explorer tree in Program Files.
I have noticed that Windows Mail Live is still in the hidden Program Files together with Windows Live and Windows Live Contacts. Should this Windows Mail Live folder and these last two folders be removed as well together with any other Live references elsewhere?

Thanks Pete

 

[poppa bear]

To Pete39 re:

I have noticed that Windows Mail Live is still in the hidden Program Files together with Windows Live and Windows Live Contacts. Should this Windows Mail Live folder and these last two folders be removed as well together with any other Live references elsewhere?

When I first imported Windows Mail I had all sorts of conflicts until I removed ALL Windows Live files, including hidden files, contacts etc. If you haven't already done so, would first back up contacts to a storage folder.

It's a bit cumbersome, but to be sure, you could re-instal Windows Live and then remove with Control Panel/Program Files/Removal. And then manually remove any residual files or folders, including hidden and those in Program Data & Program Files.

Just to be sure, I'd also remove all Windows Mail folders and files and do a fresh import.

There is a freeware Microsoft Program which will remove hard to remove Microsoft files. It is called: "Windows Installer Cleanup". Click here to download this program. The download button is half way down the page.

I also ran Glary Utiliites, (freeware), registry cleaner after uninstalling. When running the "Scan for Issues" in this utility, I tick all the options except "Shortcuts". I've been using this utility for a long time now and have found it extremely safe and effective. It also auto backs up anything removed for restoral if needed.

If your running Win7 64 bit, you will have two sets of program files. One for 64 bit and one for old 32 bit applications. In this case, if you import Windows Mail from a 32 bit Vista OS, then you must import it to the 32 bit Program Files in your Win7.

 

[pete39]

To PB from Pete39

I’ve got rid of all the Widows Live stuff by doing as you said, reinstall and then remove and good registry clean.

Just to be sure, I'd also remove all Windows Mail folders and files and do a fresh import.

You say remove all Windows Mail folders and files, even the ones in the Hidden Folders which are part of Windows 7.
BTW I do have 64bit Windows 7 and 64bit Windows Mail files.

 

[poppa bear]

To Pete39 re:

You say remove all Windows Mail folders and files, even the ones in the Hidden Folders which are part of Windows 7.

Yes, remove ALL original Windows Mail files or you will have conflicts. It needs to be a clean slate to import to. But if you want, first do a back-up copy of the original saved to a storage folder. In my case I didn't bother, because it never worked anyway.

In the Techspot guide you first enable viewing of all hidden & protected files. This is precisely so you can remove any hidden files in the original Windows Mail folder in Program Files in Win7. In fact I totally deleted the entire original Windows Mail folder, (as distinct from files), before importing the entire Win Mail folder from Program files in Vista.

As you have 64 bit Win7 OS, just make sure you put the entire 64 bit imported Windows Mail folder from Vista, into the 64 bit Progrm files in Win7, in case your PC is running any old 32 bit programs, for which it will have a separate Program Files.

Hope this helps. Cheers PB

 

[pete39]

Pete39 to PB

Brilliant, Windows Mail is now displayed.
Just got to make sure it all works properly, if not this old Pom we be back in touch again.

Really appreciated your help, you're a star, thanks.
Pete

 

[poppa bear]

To Pete39 re:

Brilliant, Windows Mail is now displayed.

That's great Pete. Glad was able to help. If you have any trouble setting Windows Mail as default, refer to the notes at the bottom of the Techspot forum guide.

Cheers PB

 

[Greg S]

I've used this tutorial for adding WinMail to Win 7 and all is working well. Thanks. I've also used this tutorial How to add Windows Calendar to Windows 7 to add WinCalendar which works as well. In WinMail I have a toolbarbutton to access WinCalendar although it doesn't bring up WinCalendar. Anyone have an idea what to tinker with in order to make it work?

 

[Greg S]

FYI, you don't need to delete/replace everything in the Windows Mail Folder in order to make WinMail work in Win 7. All you need is msoe.dll and the WinMail.exe from a Vista install.

 

[t8769]

This diagram shows WindowsMail in the Programs folder

But I don't have that.

I have Windows Live Mail in the Windows Live folder.


Where can I find Windows Mail?


Thanks

 

[mick823]

Just like many of the folks posting here I do not like the Live Mail and prefer Windows Mail. Unfortunately when you use a copy and paste approach you can get the Windows Mail to function as a free standing program but you can't get it to integrate with the OS. (can't set as default, no secutirty updates, no junk mail filter update, no mail from within IE, etc.) After running into various problems I finally tried the Mozilla Thunderbird E-mail program and have found it to be a more than acceptable substitute for Windows Mail. One of the best things I like is that you can also pick up your web based e-mail like Hotmail, G-mail, etc. from within the program. Just throwing it out there as an option. Windows Seven Forum has become my "go to" place on any issues I have with my Windows 7 OS. Keep up the good work!

 

[t8769]

Thanks for these instructions.

You say 'Go to your Programs folder and Take Ownership of the Windows Mail Folder

One problem though. But in my Windows7, there is no Windows Mail folder in Programs, only Windows Live Mail.


Where can I find that folder?


Many thanks

 

[Greg S]

but you can't get it to integrate with the OS. (can't set as default, no secutirty updates, no junk mail filter update, no mail from within IE, etc.)

Mine is set to default, reads .eml, opens in IE. You may have missed an alternate link in this thread for fixing those issues.

 

[t8769]

Is it possible to put a 32bit Windows Mail folder in a 64 bit 7 system?

Thanks