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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

Update Techspot Post

To GregS re:

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.

Thanks for that info Greg. I did a clean instal of Win7 and only replaced those two files with the equivalent files from Win Mail Vista and it worked fine. I've updated my Techspot guide accordingly.

Cheers PB

 

[poppa bear]

win mail missing

To t8769 re:

One problem though. But in my Windows7, there is no Windows Mail folder in Programs, only Windows Live Mail
Is it possible to put a 32bit Windows Mail folder in a 64 bit 7 system?

Another member, Meriu, had the same problem, in post 187, page 19 of this thread.

Edit. Yes Yes Yes ! I have installed it on my PC. The problem was that I didn't Install it in the correct 'Program Files' but in 'Program Files (x84)'. I have got 2 folders named Program Files. When I put it into proper Program Files, everything started and works!

First off, delete Windows Mail Live entirely by using the Add/Remove option in Control Panel/Programs.

If you can't find Windows Mail you're probably looking in the wrong set of Program Files. Usually in a 64 bit installation of Windows 7 there will be two sets of program files. The 64 bit one for the operating system; and a 32 bit one for any old 32 bit applications. It should be in the 64 bit set of program files.

Yes it is possible to put a 32 bit version of Windows Mail from Vista into a 64 bit version of Windows 7.

To do so, totally delete the original 64 bit Windows Mail folder, (do a backup copy first to be safe). If you don't do this you will get conflicts.

Now copy and paste the entire 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder into the 32 bit Program Files of Windows 7.

You may be able to get the 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder by clicking here.

If you haven't already found it, this is a link to a comprehensive step-by-step guide to the whole process by clicking here. In this post it tells you to only replace two files in Windows Mail. However, since you are installing a 32 bit version you will need to import the full folder, not just the two files.

Good luck. PB

 

[Greg S]

To GregS re:

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.

Thanks for that info Greg. I did a clean instal of Win7 and only replaced those two files with the equivalent files from Win Mail Vista and it worked fine. I've updated my Techspot guide accordingly.

Cheers PB

I didn't do any further testing but am curious as why msoe.dll needs to be replaced. Could it possibly be due to the initial setting of the splash screen or maybe import option etc..?? Just thinkin out loud. The only visible difference I see is the file version, vista sp1 and rtm 7.

Are both reg files on your Techspot guide needed? I assumed they were and haven't had any hiccups after applying both.

 

[poppa bear]

To GregS re:

I didn't do any further testing but am curious as why msoe.dll needs to be replaced. Could it possibly be due to the initial setting of the splash screen or maybe import option etc..?? Just thinkin out loud. The only visible difference I see is the file version, vista sp1 and rtm 7.

Are both reg files on your Techspot guide needed? I assumed they were and haven't had any hiccups after applying both.

I can't really comment on why either of the two files "msoe.dll" & "WinMail.exe" are needed, and other files not needed. I'm not a programmer or techo, and have come at this purely from a trial and error basis, without any real knowledge of the functions of each file, aside from the obvious function of the .exe one. What started out for me as a query in the Techspot forum turned into a research and development project, using info from this and other forums.

Where did you come by the knowledge that only those two files needed to be replaced? In the original post in this thread, the moderator Mr. Grim, stated that the entire Windows Mail folder in program files had to be replaced, so I just took that at face value, and it worked. Your modification makes it a heck of a lot easier given that "Take Ownership" didn't work in my PC environment, and I had to manually take control and delete every file... a long, tedious process.

When I contacted Microsoft as to why they included the Windows Mail application in the program files of Windows 7 when it was inoperable, I was told that it had originally been intended to go in all versions of Win7. However, due to the dispute between Microsoft and the European Community, they could not include it in Windows 7 intended for the European market. They then debated whether to have two versions of Win7; one for the European market without Win Mail and another version for all other markets with it included. The final compromise is what we've got now, with Win Mail in all versions, but it's inoperable.

When I first imported WinMail I only used the one auto registry, "Windows Mail.reg", because I couldn't find a download for "Windows Mail2.reg", (plus the manual registry edit), and it worked fine. However, tangentJohn in this forum suggested both should be used, so to cover all bases, I included both for completeness in the guide.

I also found out that the registry key that needs to be manually edited by this change, "C:\Program Files\Windows Mail\winmail.exe" /eml:%1", is not present in a clean installation of Win7, but only appears after Windows Live Mail is installed in the OS. So if you've never loaded Win Mail Live, you needn't worry about this step.

Cheers PB

 

[Greg S]

To GregS re:

I didn't do any further testing but am curious as why msoe.dll needs to be replaced. Could it possibly be due to the initial setting of the splash screen or maybe import option etc..?? Just thinkin out loud. The only visible difference I see is the file version, vista sp1 and rtm 7.

Are both reg files on your Techspot guide needed? I assumed they were and haven't had any hiccups after applying both.

I can't really comment on why either of the two files "msoe.dll" & "WinMail.exe" are needed, and other files not needed. I'm not a programmer or techo, and have come at this purely from a trial and error basis, without any real knowledge of the functions of each file, aside from the obvious function of the .exe one. What started out for me as a query in the Techspot forum turned into a research and development project, using info from this and other forums.

Where did you come by the knowledge that only those two files needed to be replaced? In the original post in this thread, the moderator Mr. Grim, stated that the entire Windows Mail folder in program files had to be replaced, so I just took that at face value, and it worked. Your modification makes it a heck of a lot easier given that "Take Ownership" didn't work in my PC environment, and I had to manually take control and delete every file... a long, tedious process.

When I contacted Microsoft as to why they included the Windows Mail application in the program files of Windows 7 when it was inoperable, I was told that it had originally been intended to go in all versions of Win7. However, due to the dispute between Microsoft and the European Community, they could not include it in Windows 7 intended for the European market. They then debated whether to have two versions of Win7; one for the European market without Win Mail and another version for all other markets with it included. The final compromise is what we've got now, with Win Mail in all versions, but it's inoperable.

When I first imported WinMail I only used the one auto registry, "Windows Mail.reg", because I couldn't find a download for "Windows Mail2.reg", (plus the manual registry edit), and it worked fine. However, tangentJohn in this forum suggested both should be used, so to cover all bases, I included both for completeness in the guide.

I also found out that the registry key that needs to be manually edited by this change, "C:\Program Files\Windows Mail\winmail.exe" /eml:%1", is not present in a clean installation of Win7, but only appears after Windows Live Mail is installed in the OS. So if you've never loaded Win Mail Live, you needn't worry about this step.

Cheers PB

Very good info! Thanks
I discovered the two file technique the same as you, trial and error. I'm a glutton for PC punishment. I use Eaz-Fix plus image backup as secondary recovery if needed but in all my hacking and software sampling/testing, I've never had to use the image backup/backups. Eaz-Fix has always worked. It appears that my setup mimics yours in that Take Ownership only works for individual files and not directories even though I have it setup for the Folders. I've always been unlucky that way and have learned to live with it, in other words, what seems to work for the masses never does work for me. Take Ownership of Folders is just in a long list of it doesn't work for me. Your replies of what MS has stated seems to answer the question as to why the msoe.dll is needed. Somehow it's seeing the newer file which is hindering full operations of WinMail. I'm fairly certain the file vesion is not listed in WinMail's reg entries but to be honest haven't paid close attention to the entries. I will look/search for any references to the file version in the registry the next time I boot into Win 7.

 

[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?

Nevermind, I fixed it. I found all applicable wincal reg entries in Vista and merged them in Win 7. All is well

 

[poppa bear]

To Greg S re:

I discovered the two file technique the same as you, trial and error. I'm a glutton for PC punishment. I use Eaz-Fix plus image backup as secondary recovery

What is Eaz-Fix? I looked it up on Google and it seems to be like Windows restore application? I'm already using Acronis back-up image of my OS, and the image which is in a separate storage folder is regularly auto updated. It takes about 10 minutes to reload the image, restoring the whole OS.

Totally ID with "nothing works for me!" Feel like I'm jinxed a lot of the time.

Like yourself I like tinkering. When I bought a new DVD burner it came with Nero 8 bundled. And everytime you started Nero, it asked if you wanted to register, and I couldn't get rid of it... the only option was to select: "Ask later". Then when you started Nero next time it came up again, ad infinitum!

Anyways, I went into Nero program files, and went to the folder which I thought was most likely causing the problem, and one by one, typed ".BAK" on the end of each file, until I found the one that caused the registration notice to appear. It gave me great satisfaction to turn off the registration nag screen. It's bad enough getting them in freeware, but you accept it as part of the deal. But with paid for programs... Hello!!! I don't think so!

Cheers PB

 

[Greg S]

To Greg S re:

What is Eaz-Fix? I looked it up on Google and it seems to be like Windows restore application?

Cheers PB

It is an instant system recovery program. It's just like system restore except it restores every file on the HD, not just system files. On boot up, it has a splash screen that it pauses on for about 5 seconds. If you press the Home key within the 5 seconds it will load it's console screen where you can select from the different snapshots previously taken. Once the snapshot is selected for restore, it takes about 5 seconds to restore. As a bonus, it comes with an imaging app for backing up image/restore of HD/Partitions. It can mount the snapshots or image backups as a disk where you can view and work with files/folders. There's more options to it than I describe here. It is kinda pricey at $49.00 but it's worth it.
EAZ-FIX Professional - Instantly undo your PC probems

 

[Greg S]

poppa bear,
Can you check something for me? After using the two file technique, is the Windows Mail and Windows Mail(News) listed in the Default Programs control panel? Everything works fine and both are default but are now not listed in Default Programs control panel. I think at one time, both were listed in there and it may have been after using the all files replaced technique but I'm not for certain. It also may be related to my WinCal reg fix but I doubt it. Thanks

Update: I managed to get Windows Mail back in the Default Programs control panel by replacing en-US folder with the one from Vista. The Windows Mail(News) is still missing in action.

 

[t8769]

Thanks for the reply about putting a 32Bit folder in my new 4bit Windows7.

But I'm a bit confused, what is this software that you suggest I download - Import Mail.zip

>Now copy and paste the entire 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder into the 32 bit Program Files of Windows 7.
>You may be able to get the 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder by clicking here.


Is there a 32bit section of 7 that I should use?


Sorry, I'm not an expert on these things



Thanks

 

[myzr7]

Thanks for the reply about putting a 32Bit folder in my new 4bit Windows7.

But I'm a bit confused, what is this software that you suggest I download - Import Mail.zip

>Now copy and paste the entire 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder into the 32 bit Program Files of Windows 7.
>You may be able to get the 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder by clicking here.


Is there a 32bit section of 7 that I should use?


Sorry, I'm not an expert on these things



Thanks

In 7 you have two program files in explorer. x86 means 32 bit. Hope this helps.

 

[poppa bear]

WinMail News

To GregS re:

Update: I managed to get Windows Mail back in the Default Programs control panel by replacing en-US folder with the one from Vista. The Windows Mail(News) is still missing in action.

Unfortunately can't help with WinMail(News) in Default Programs. The en-US folder from WinMail in Vista contains both WinMail.exe.mui & WindowsMailGadget.exe.mui.

I've got the whole en-US folder in Windows Mail in program files in Win7, which includes WinMail.exe.mui, but only WinMail shows up in Default Programs control panel.

Let me know if you find a solution. Good luck. PB

 

[poppa bear]

To t8769 re:

Thanks for the reply about putting a 32Bit folder in my new 4bit Windows7.

But I'm a bit confused, what is this software that you suggest I download - Import Mail.zip

>Now copy and paste the entire 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder into the 32 bit Program Files of Windows 7.
>You may be able to get the 32 bit Windows Mail Vista folder by clicking here.


Is there a 32bit section of 7 that I should use?


Sorry, I'm not an expert on these things

The software which is available by clicking here, is a Winzip file containing the full 32 bit Vista version of the Windows Mail folder. By clicking the word "here", which is highlighted in light blue, it will take you to a free download site.

Once you get there, click the "free download" option, which is on the left side of the web page, about half way down the page. Wait 60 seconds for it to load, then click it again to download the file to your computer. Don't run the file, but save it to your desktop.

Once it's downloaded, open the Winzip file named "Import Mail.zip" and extract the folder it contains named "Windows Mail" to your desktop. This folder is the full 32 bit Windows Mail folder from Vista.

This folder should be now be put into the 32 bit program files of your Windows 7 operating system. This is the folder named "x86 Program Files" as pointed out to you by myzr7 in his reply two up from this reply and shown in his picture. To view the picture in a bigger size, just click on it with your mouse.

However, to make it work, you will first need to delete the entire original Windows Mail folder from your 64 bit Program Files. That's the "Program Files" also pointed out to you by myzr7. The Techspot guide found by clicking here will tell you how to delete this.

Good luck. PB

 

[t8769]

>Good luck. PB


Thanks... I'll need it!

 

[poppa bear]

Embedded pictures

To myzr7 re:

In 7 you have two program files in explorer. x86 means 32 bit. Hope this helps.
Attachment 47121

Could you please tell me how to put an embedd jpeg image into the middle of the text of a post so that it can be opened in a sub-window, as you did in your response to t8769?

I know how to make a link to a picture saved to an upload site like TinyPic. And I know how to add a picture as an attachment. But how do you make them open?

This is an attachment of your original picture which I saved to my desktop.​

​

This is an embedded copy of your pic from TinyPic upload site.​

I'd be very grateful for any help you can give in knowing how to make them open as it did in your post?​

Cheers Bernie (Poppa Bear)​

 

[poppa bear]

to t8769 re:

Good luck. PB Thanks... I'll need it!

I know it seems complicated at first.

May I suggest you start right from scratch using the guide from Techspot and work through it slowly step by step.

In a nutshell, what you're trying to do is:

1. Delete all the existing Windows Mail files already in Windows 7.

2. Copy the Windows Mail folder from Vista program files.

3. Paste the Windows Mail folder from Vista program files into the x86 Program files in your Windows 7.

4. Enable email files to be opened that are saved to your desktop.

 

[Greg S]

To GregS re:

Update: I managed to get Windows Mail back in the Default Programs control panel by replacing en-US folder with the one from Vista. The Windows Mail(News) is still missing in action.

Unfortunately can't help with WinMail(News) in Default Programs. The en-US folder from WinMail in Vista contains both WinMail.exe.mui & WindowsMailGadget.exe.mui.

I've got the whole en-US folder in Windows Mail in program files in Win7, which includes WinMail.exe.mui, but only WinMail shows up in Default Programs control panel.

Let me know if you find a solution. Good luck. PB

It's not a big deal other than the fact I can't figure out why,lol. I've done a search in regedit with two laptops side by side but haven't found anything worth changing in the win 7 setup. Each had a couple of entries that were different but in my opinion had no impact on making it show in the control panel. Anyway, the Win Mail (News) works fine and is the default.

 

[myzr7]

poppa bear, this is what I use. Snipping tool snap shot of anything on your screen. then save it to my docs, then attach it using paper clip icon.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html

 

[Greg S]

Thanks for the info. I had to test it out, I'm used to the old way of right click send to image shack and retrieve the link for posting. Does this method auto resize it to fit within the post?

 

[myzr7]

View attachment 47188
Thanks for the info. I had to test it out, I'm used to the old way of right click send to image shack and retrieve the link for posting. Does this method auto resize it to fit within the post?

The size of a snipping tool screen shot has never been to big for me to post, using the paper clip method. Hope that helps.