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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

To myzr7 re:

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.

Thanks very much myzr7 for that info re snipping tool and attaching images. Snipping tool is available in my OS of Windows 7 Ultimate under Start/Accessories.

I've used it to snip a jpeg image of part of my program files which is shown in the following attachment. And when this image is clicked with the mouse it opens in a separate window in larger size.

​

I now understand why the original image I put in my post wouldn't open to a separate window when I clicked it.... (See post No. 238, Page 24).

It was all about the size of the original image; not how I had inserted it into the post as an attachment, or a link via upload web site.

If the original image is small, and fits the standard size allowed for images in posts, when inserted as an attachment in a post and clicked with the mouse it will not open in a separate window as a larger image, because it's already full size.​

However, if the original image is larger than the standard size allowed for images in posts, when inserted as an attachment in a post it will be auto shrunk to the standard image size allowed in posts. If this shrunken image in the post is now clicked with the mouse, it will open in a separate window in it's original large size.​

The image I had attached in my post was from an image I'd copied from your post, by right clicking the image and saving as picture to desktop. When I then attached this saved picture from my desktop in my post and clicked it, it wouldn't open in a separate window to show it in a larger size because it was already shown as it's original full size as I'd copied it.​

In other words, the image you showed in your post was shrunken, and could be expanded back to original size by clicking. However, I'd only saved a snapshot of the shrunken image, not the shrunken image itself, and hence it couldn't be expanded.​

However, when this saved image on my desktop was doubled in size using Microsoft Picture Manager, and then added as an attachment, it was shown in the post as a shrunken version. This image when clicked would then open in a separate window in it's larger full size.​

Furthermore, if the snapshot is increased in size, the text is blurred, (as seen in the 2nd image below), because it's just enlarging the size of an image already blurred due to it's size; as distinct from restoring a shrunken image to full size.​

This 1st attachment shown below is a snapshot which was created by right clicking the image in your post and saving to desktop as a picture. When clicked it won't open in another window because it's already full size.​

​

This 2nd attachment is the same picture doubled in size, but when attached is auto shrunk to standard post size. When clicked with the mouse it opens in a separate window in original full size.​

​

Mega thanks myzr7. The mystery is now solved.

ps Found an easier way of putting an image from another post into my post. Highlight the image, right click and copy. Then paste into main body of my new post. The pasted image retains all the properties of the original thumbnail, and can be clicked to open in a new window in origianl large size, which I've done with the image shown below which was copied and pasted from myzr7's post No 234 on Page 24 of this thread.

​

Cheers PB​

 

[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. ....

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

Here's the reg file that adds it to Default Programs control panel

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message]
@="Internet News Message"
"InfoTip"="prop:System.Message.FromName;System.Subject;System.Message.DateReceived"
"PreviewTitle"="prop:System.Subject;System.Message.FromName"
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,\
  00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,\
  77,00,73,00,20,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,\
  00,69,00,6c,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,32,00,32,00,32,00,00,00
"PreviewDetails"="prop:System.Message.FromAddress;System.Message.DateReceived;System.ItemFolderPathDisplay;System.Size"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\CLSID]
@="{5645C8C0-E277-11CF-8FDA-00AA00A14F93}"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,\
  00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,4d,00,\
  61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,2e,00,65,\
  00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,35,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\Forward]
@="Reply"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,70,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,66,00,\
  69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,\
  00,20,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,\
  6c,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,32,00,30,00,33,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\Forward\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,2e,\
  00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,2f,00,66,00,6f,00,72,00,77,00,61,00,72,00,\
  64,00,6e,00,77,00,73,00,3a,00,25,00,31,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\open]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,2e,\
  00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,2f,00,6e,00,77,00,73,00,3a,00,25,00,31,00,\
  00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\Reply]
@="Reply"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,70,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,66,00,\
  69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,\
  00,20,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,\
  6c,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,32,00,30,00,34,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\Reply\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,2e,\
  00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,2f,00,72,00,65,00,70,00,6c,00,79,00,6e,00,\
  77,00,73,00,3a,00,25,00,31,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\ReplyAll]
@="Reply All"
"MUIVerb"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,70,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,66,00,\
  69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,\
  00,20,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,\
  6c,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,32,00,30,00,35,00,00,00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Microsoft Internet News Message\shell\ReplyAll\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,\
  00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,\
  4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,4d,00,61,00,69,00,6c,00,2e,\
  00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,2f,00,72,00,65,00,70,00,6c,00,79,00,61,00,\
  6c,00,6c,00,6e,00,77,00,73,00,3a,00,25,00,31,00,00,00

Once applied, it should show what we already knew, everything is set to default,lol

Not to drift too off topic but does anyone know where Win 7 stores it's help and support files/data. This relates to me getting the Windows Calendar toolbarbutton to function from within Windows Mail, which I did but the Windows Calendar Help button doesn't have the appropriate Help info to appear when clicked. This may be one I will have to live with but I'm still going to try.

Update: I tested the reg file above and all worked well, closing opening, going to default programs etc.. more than once so I'm fairly sure it works. But, WinMail just now starting giving the error of not being able to initialize msoe.dll. I replaced the Win 7 MSOERES.dll with the one from Vista and all went back to working. The only thing that I've done after fixing the default programs dilema was to run todays Win Updates. So it's possible that Win Updates may have borked it, don't know for sure now and am not rolling back a snapshot just to find out since copying the Vista MSOERES.dll fixed it.

 

[poppa bear]

reg key

To GregS re:

Here's the reg file that adds it to Default Programs control panel

Thanks for that info Greg.

I copied the reg info and pasted it into a note pad then saved as an auto exe file, ending in .reg. However, it wouldn't run, and showed the error message: "The specified file is not a registry script."

Should all of the reg info shown in your post be put into the new .reg file? If not, where does it start? And if the file created is incorrectly named, does it prevent it functioning?

Bye the bye, couldn't help much with Windows Calendar. I don't use it, and have never even tried opening the icon on the task bar of Windows Mail, hence didn't know it was a problem. I use a similar program in MS Office Enterprise.

Cheers PB

 

[MisOutlookXpres]

I don't like Windows mail and liked some of the features in Ourlook Express Much better! I used to save some emails to a folder in My Documents. I cannot find any way to save emails using this new Windows Live Email. Does anyone know how to save an email other than to copy and paste it onto a word document?

 

[MisOutlookXpres]

PS I'm a newbee. How will I find any answers people offer?

 

[poppa bear]

That's why WinLiveMail a No No!

To MisOutlookXpres re:

PS I'm a newbee. How will I find any answers people offer?

Welcome to Windows 7 Forums.

Probably best to make your message a post in the "General Discussions" or "Chill Out" forums. It won't really get noticed in this forum for what you're after.

I don't like Windows mail and liked some of the features in Ourlook Express Much better! I used to save some emails to a folder in My Documents. I cannot find any way to save emails using this new Windows Live Email. Does anyone know how to save an email other than to copy and paste it onto a word document?

That's one of the reasons why I stopped using Windows Mail Live. There were a lot more.

Like yourself I didn't like using Windows Mail after first shifting from Outlook Express. However, after hanging in there with it for awhile, and becoming familiar with the different way some things were done, there's no way I'd go back to Outlook Express. Nor sideways and down to Windows Mail Live... which in simple terms, from my point of view, is a pain in the butt. Hate the format of the main window, lack of tool bar simple use buttons; etc, etc.

Just being able to save your contacts in a data file format in Vista or Win7, instead of the compulsory Address Book in Outlook Express, which can't be opened in it's own right on the desktop of Vista or Win7 if you want to edit entries... that alone is enough to swing me over to Windows Mail. And the list goes on.

Just my humble opinion of course. But what do I know, eh?

Cheers PB

 

[rj mccarthy]

I have tried most of the recommendations to get Windows Mail running on W7 but failed. The message is "MSOE.DLL could not be loaded" What am I doing wrong?
I can't even get live mail to run. it opens and then shuts down "with a problem".
Fortunately Thunderbird is fine.

 

[poppa bear]

To rj mccarthy re:

I have tried most of the recommendations to get Windows Mail running on Windows 7 but failed. The message is "MSOE.DLL could not be loaded" What am I doing wrong?
I can't even get live mail to run. it opens and then shuts down "with a problem".
Fortunately Thunderbird is fine.

Suggest first off uninstall Windows Live Mail, using Control Panel/Programs. This is an absolute necessity as it conflicts with Windows Mail.

If you're using a 64 bit operating system you'll have two sets of program files. The first one is named "x86 Program Files" and contains any 32 bit files. The 2nd is named "Program Files" and contains the operating system files. There may be Windows Mail folders and files in either or both.

I'd now suggest starting afresh with a clean slate, by removing all Windows Mail folders and files. To do this, first carefully fully read, and then use the steps in this guide, found by clicking here. Pay particular attention to the notes on 64 bit systems if you're using one.

Hope this helps. PB

 

[Greg S]

To GregS re:

Here's the reg file that adds it to Default Programs control panel

Thanks for that info Greg.

I copied the reg info and pasted it into a note pad then saved as an auto exe file, ending in .reg. However, it wouldn't run, and showed the error message: "The specified file is not a registry script."

Should all of the reg info shown in your post be put into the new .reg file? If not, where does it start? And if the file created is incorrectly named, does it prevent it functioning?

Bye the bye, couldn't help much with Windows Calendar. I don't use it, and have never even tried opening the icon on the task bar of Windows Mail, hence didn't know it was a problem. I use a similar program in MS Office Enterprise.

Cheers PB

Hi PB, yes all the text in the code box should be pasted into the .txt file then renamed with the .reg file extension. You can name it anything as long as the extension is .reg. I did find in the reg code posted that it's pointing to a missing CLSID so I did a comparison of both registry's again and found the missing CLSID and have added them in this file that I will upload. They're fairly small.
View attachment news.zip

After much work on the Windows Calendar Help file I admit defeat. I did find the right file in the Help folder. It's desk.h1s but it will not work since Win 7 has it's own help file desk.h1s. If I were smart enough, I could probably extract the relevant info and add it, but I'm not,lol.

Ahh, I just now noticed that the Windows Mail help file doesn't work either. I could have sworn at one time that it did, I guess not. I did find the mail.h1s help file in Vista, replaced it in Win 7 but it was a no show. I also just now rolled back to a prior snapshot, and the latest windows update will bork the two file replacement. Win 7's version of MSOERES.dll will have to be replaced with Vista version after the update. It's looking now like all file replacement is the best option, although I haven't done it yet.

Ok, I'm not working this week and have nothing better to do,lol. I've just now put back the original Win 7 Windows Mail Folder. I went into Folder Options to show the Win 7 hidden WinMail.exe. I brought up the cmd console, typed in attrib -s -h WinMail.exe and hit enter to remove the attributes. The only file I needed from Vista to make Win Mail work was msoe.dll

 

[poppa bear]

To GregS re:

Ahh, I just now noticed that the Windows Mail help file doesn't work either. I could have sworn at one time that it did, I guess not. I did find the mail.h1s help file in Vista, replaced it in Win 7 but it was a no show. I also just now rolled back to a prior snapshot, and the latest windows update will bork the two file replacement. Win 7's version of MSOERES.dll will have to be replaced with Vista version after the update. It's looking now like all file replacement is the best option, although I haven't done it yet.

Ok, I'm not working this week and have nothing better to do,lol. I've just now put back the original Win 7 Windows Mail Folder. I went into Folder Options to show the Win 7 hidden WinMail.exe. I brought up the cmd console, typed in attrib -s -h WinMail.exe and hit enter to remove the attributes. The only file I needed from Vista to make Win Mail work was msoe.dll

Hey Greg, that's really cool work! The Windows Mail I'm using is the complete unedited Vista version I imported, and neither Win Calendar nor Help files work. Truth is I've never used either in all the time I've run WinMail in Vista, so not going to bother to fix it.

Re Windows updates borking WinMail, I had been alerted to this and mentioned it in my Techspot Guide. Same thing happens if you run system file check by typing "sfc /scannow" in Run box.

As a work around to fix this I've suggested in guide to just delete the entire non-working imported WinMail folder, and copy/paste fresh copy of full Vista WinMail folder. It's simple because you don't have to take control as was needed to delete the original WinMail folder that came with Win7. Just right click and delete whole WinMail folder and copy/paste Vista one.

For the sake of simplicity for the not so computer literate user, I've changed my guide back to importing the full Vista WinMail folder. That way it covers all bases, except Help Files and Calendar.

Re:

After much work on the Windows Calendar Help file I admit defeat. I did find the right file in the Help folder. It's desk.h1s but it will not work since Win 7 has it's own help file desk.h1s. If I were smart enough, I could probably extract the relevant info and add it, but I'm not,lol.

Contrary to what you say about not being smart enough, I think you've done brilliant. No way I could do those registry edits. I only just recently created my first auto exe .reg file, "Windows Mail2.reg" from a post by Tangent John in another post in this forum. This is a link to his registry edit here. It's entry No 8 toward the bottom of the page.

Unless you're a computer programmer, which I'm not, I don't know how you'd ever work those out. For example, I don't know what SLID is or what it does. Nor was I aware of the run cmd "attrib -s -h WinMail.exe" to remove attributes from WinMail or what their function was or why you would need to remove them. Where do you get this kind of info? I'm impressed. You're way ahead of me.

Cheers PB

Cheers

 

[andjayik]

how do we get rid of the the windows mail splash screen?

 

[rj mccarthy]

Thanks PB tried all that once again. No problem eliminating the old folders or installing the new folders but it just doesn't work. I have noticed that there are no file associations for .dll files is this part of the problem? I suppose I shall just have to learn to live with Thunderbird!

 

[Greg S]

To GregS re:

Ahh, I just now noticed that the Windows Mail help file doesn't work either. I could have sworn at one time that it did, I guess not. I did find the mail.h1s help file in Vista, replaced it in Win 7 but it was a no show. I also just now rolled back to a prior snapshot, and the latest windows update will bork the two file replacement. Win 7's version of MSOERES.dll will have to be replaced with Vista version after the update. It's looking now like all file replacement is the best option, although I haven't done it yet.

Ok, I'm not working this week and have nothing better to do,lol. I've just now put back the original Win 7 Windows Mail Folder. I went into Folder Options to show the Win 7 hidden WinMail.exe. I brought up the cmd console, typed in attrib -s -h WinMail.exe and hit enter to remove the attributes. The only file I needed from Vista to make Win Mail work was msoe.dll

Hey Greg, that's really cool work! The Windows Mail I'm using is the complete unedited Vista version I imported, and neither Win Calendar nor Help files work. Truth is I've never used either in all the time I've run WinMail in Vista, so not going to bother to fix it.

Re Windows updates borking WinMail, I had been alerted to this and mentioned it in my Techspot Guide. Same thing happens if you run system file check by typing "sfc /scannow" in Run box.

As a work around to fix this I've suggested in guide to just delete the entire non-working imported WinMail folder, and copy/paste fresh copy of full Vista WinMail folder. It's simple because you don't have to take control as was needed to delete the original WinMail folder that came with Win7. Just right click and delete whole WinMail folder and copy/paste Vista one.

For the sake of simplicity for the not so computer literate user, I've changed my guide back to importing the full Vista WinMail folder. That way it covers all bases, except Help Files and Calendar.

Re:

After much work on the Windows Calendar Help file I admit defeat. I did find the right file in the Help folder. It's desk.h1s but it will not work since Win 7 has it's own help file desk.h1s. If I were smart enough, I could probably extract the relevant info and add it, but I'm not,lol.

Contrary to what you say about not being smart enough, I think you've done brilliant. No way I could do those registry edits. I only just recently created my first auto exe .reg file, "Windows Mail2.reg" from a post by Tangent John in another post in this forum. This is a link to his registry edit here. It's entry No 8 toward the bottom of the page.

Unless you're a computer programmer, which I'm not, I don't know how you'd ever work those out. For example, I don't know what SLID is or what it does. Nor was I aware of the run cmd "attrib -s -h WinMail.exe" to remove attributes from WinMail or what their function was or why you would need to remove them. Where do you get this kind of info? I'm impressed. You're way ahead of me.

Cheers PB

Cheers

Yes, I do think it's wise to revert back to the original way of adding Windows mail to Windows 7. Question: Are you saying that deleting the original Windows 7 Windows Mail folder will help/fix the Win Updates problem? About the Win 7 WinMail.exe attributes, it has/had two attributes, System and Hidden. The -s -h switches will just remove those attributes allowing the original WinMail.exe to be visible within the Windows Mail folder.

 

[poppa bear]

To GregS re:

Yes, I do think it's wise to revert back to the original way of adding Windows mail to Windows 7. Question: Are you saying that deleting the original Windows 7 Windows Mail folder will help/fix the Win Updates problem? About the Win 7 WinMail.exe attributes, it has/had two attributes, System and Hidden. The -s -h switches will just remove those attributes allowing the original WinMail.exe to be visible within the Windows Mail folder.

Re updates problem, when I donwloaded latest updates for Win7 on one occasion, it borked WinMail. I never uninstalled the updates, but simply deleted the whole WinMail folder and replaced it with a virgin copy, and WinMail has worked fine ever since, despite downloading later updates.

Don't know the dynamics of why, but presume the early updates either modified or replaced some of the WinMail files. However, if the updates are left installed, and WinMail replaced, I presume the updater engine reads the earlier updates as being installed and not needed. A bit like a post I once read on borking WGA validation files, by modifying them but not removing. Updater engine sees them installed but not modified and does not replace them; the end result being they're there but don't work.

That's top shelf work re the attributes being removed. How the heck did you work that out? Have you done some programming work?

I don't really know what a switch is, but I've read about them when I've attempted repairs by editing BCD to restore boot files for one of my installed operating systems. I've got 4 partitions on my PC, with WinXP Pro, Vista ultimate, Win7 & a storage partition.

I deliberately deleted the boot files for Vista to simulate a live boot crash, to see if I could add them back using EasyBCD. Trying to work out the correct switches and syntax for commands was a nightmare. I got as far as being able to identify and re-name and remove entries, but in the end gave up trying to add the boot entry for Vista back, and resorted to EasyBCD boot modification program.

EasyBCD is a really simple freeware boot editor for changing boot entry names, order of appearance in the boot menu at start-up, and resetting time of delay, etc. However, this also failed to restore the missing boot files, and I eventually had to get it back by booting off the Vista installation disc, and running the "repair boot" option which appears prior to installing.

Under some circumstances this boot repair works, but not always. Other times I've had to do a bare bones full installation just to get the boot back, then load an Acronis full partition back up image onto the partition, once the boot is restored.

By the way, tried a trial version of Eaz-Fix Pro, but it stopped my Vista installation booting up. Typical of me, I read the notes on Eaz-Fix afer I'd installed it, and saw it is not compatible with multiple boot systems on the same hard drive.

I think I'm gettin off the topic of this thread a little. Probably get busted by Mr. Grim if I'm not careful.

Cheers PB

 

[poppa bear]

To re mccarthy re:

Thanks PB tried all that once again. No problem eliminating the old folders or installing the new folders but it just doesn't work. I have noticed that there are no file associations for .dll files is this part of the problem? I suppose I shall just have to learn to live with Thunderbird!

Unfortunately there's not really much more I can tell you that's not in the Techspot guide I referred you to in an earlier post.

I'm running a 32 bit version of Win7 and .dll files are shown in File Associations as "Application extension - Unknown application" and are not associated with any program, so I don't think that's the problem. Click to open image below to show file association - its the middle entry.

​

As a check point, before you deleted the old Windows Mail folder and files, did you enable hidden files to be viewed, and un-tick "Hide extensions for known file types" & "Hide protected operating system files" by going to Tools/Folder Options/View in the task bar at the top of any folder? Otherwise you may have missed deleting any hidden or protected Windows Mail files.

As a last resort I'd try completely un-installing Thunderbird using Control Panel/Programs, and all Windows Mail so there are no possible conflicts. Then install a virgin copy of Windows Mail from Vista, again allowing all hidden files etc to be viewed.

Finally, are you copying a 64 or 32 bit version of Vista Windows Mail? And putting it in the correct Program files? 64 bit goes into "Program files"; 32 bit goes into "x86 Program files". If you click the image shown below, it will expand to show you where the appropriate program files are found in the "C" drive.

​

If you're doing all of this, can't understand why it won't initialize. As I said to you in an earlier reply, Meriu had the same problem using a 64 bit installation of Win7, but it worked after he put the Vista WinMail in the correct program files.

Cheers PB.

 

[Greg S]

To GregS re:

Yes, I do think it's wise to revert back to the original way of adding Windows mail to Windows 7. Question: Are you saying that deleting the original Windows 7 Windows Mail folder will help/fix the Win Updates problem? About the Win 7 WinMail.exe attributes, it has/had two attributes, System and Hidden. The -s -h switches will just remove those attributes allowing the original WinMail.exe to be visible within the Windows Mail folder.

Re updates problem, when I donwloaded latest updates for Win7 on one occasion, it borked WinMail. I never uninstalled the updates, but simply deleted the whole WinMail folder and replaced it with a virgin copy, and WinMail has worked fine ever since, despite downloading later updates.

Don't know the dynamics of why, but presume the early updates either modified or replaced some of the WinMail files. However, if the updates are left installed, and WinMail replaced, I presume the updater engine reads the earlier updates as being installed and not needed. A bit like a post I once read on borking WGA validation files, by modifying them but not removing. Updater engine sees them installed but not modified and does not replace them; the end result being they're there but don't work.

That's top shelf work re the attributes being removed. How the heck did you work that out? Have you done some programming work?

I don't really know what a switch is, but I've read about them when I've attempted repairs by editing BCD to restore boot files for one of my installed operating systems. I've got 4 partitions on my PC, with WinXP Pro, Vista ultimate, Win7 & a storage partition.

I deliberately deleted the boot files for Vista to simulate a live boot crash, to see if I could add them back using EasyBCD. Trying to work out the correct switches and syntax for commands was a nightmare. I got as far as being able to identify and re-name and remove entries, but in the end gave up trying to add the boot entry for Vista back, and resorted to EasyBCD boot modification program.

EasyBCD is a really simple freeware boot editor for changing boot entry names, order of appearance in the boot menu at start-up, and resetting time of delay, etc. However, this also failed to restore the missing boot files, and I eventually had to get it back by booting off the Vista installation disc, and running the "repair boot" option which appears prior to installing.

Under some circumstances this boot repair works, but not always. Other times I've had to do a bare bones full installation just to get the boot back, then load an Acronis full partition back up image onto the partition, once the boot is restored.

By the way, tried a trial version of Eaz-Fix Pro, but it stopped my Vista installation booting up. Typical of me, I read the notes on Eaz-Fix afer I'd installed it, and saw it is not compatible with multiple boot systems on the same hard drive.

I think I'm gettin off the topic of this thread a little. Probably get busted by Mr. Grim if I'm not careful.

Cheers PB

Command line switches goes back to my early days of DOS. Eaz-Fix does work with Multi boot, same drive different partitions. That's the way I use it. I Multi boot XP and Win 7. When installing, check the custom installation, select Multi boot, install it, restart OS booting into your other OS, install with custom setup only this time check the box that says this is multiboot but I have already installed in the other OS.

If you want something like Eaz-Fix but for free, Get Comodo Time Machine. Data Recovery with Comodo Time Machine | Comodo It's free and probably better than Eaz-Fix. I just use Eaz-Fix because it comes with a bonus of Drive Image for backup, and Boot media maker for restoring images. It's the only Imaging software that has ever worked for me. And yes I have tried all the others paid and non paid.

Also if you do decide to go with Eaz-Fix, I found another one of their partners that sell it for 45 instead of 49.

 

[poppa bear]

To GregS re:

Command line switches goes back to my early days of DOS. Eaz-Fix does work with Multi boot, same drive different partitions. That's the way I use it. I Multi boot XP and Win 7. When installing, check the custom installation, select Multi boot, install it, restart OS booting into your other OS, install with custom setup only this time check the box that says this is multiboot but I have already installed in the other OS.

If you want something like Eaz-Fix but for free, Get Comodo Time Machine. Data Recovery with Comodo Time Machine | Comodo It's free and probably better than Eaz-Fix. I just use Eaz-Fix because it comes with a bonus of Drive Image for backup, and Boot media maker for restoring images. It's the only Imaging software that has ever worked for me. And yes I have tried all the others paid and non paid.

Also if you do decide to go with Eaz-Fix, I found another one of their partners that sell it for 45 instead of 49.

Thanks Greg. I'll give Eaz-Fix another go, using the installation you've suggested, but probably go for Comodo Time Machine for free as I've already got Acronis for back-up partition image, and I'm very happy with it's performance. Especially if you want to clone one HD onto a new one. Also can be set to auto update your partition image if saved to storage folder, or manually update image on a R/RW DVD. Also I've done mega reloads, and neve had a faulty one yet.

Hell, it's 4am here in Perth West Aussie, so gotta catch some zzzzzzzzs! Later dude, Cheers PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

how do we get rid of the the windows mail splash screen?

1. Click on the start button and type in regedit and hit Enter.
2. Navigate through HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft and Windows Mail.
3. Create a new DWORD called NoSplash.
4. Set the value of NoSplash to 1.
5. Exit Registry Editor.

 

[poppa bear]

WinMail Splash

To ExBrit re:

Click on the start button and type in regedit and hit Enter.
Navigate through HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft and Windows Mail.
Create a new DWORD called NoSplash.
Set the value of NoSplash to 1.
Exit Registry Editor.

Hey ExBrit, that's brilliant. Worked a treat. Have never done a new DWORD before and didn't know what that meant or how to do it.

Anyway, tried right clicking Windows Mail and found the option, and once it was created and named, right clicked new DWORD, then clicked Modify to reset the value to 1.

I've also used it in Windows Mail in Vista, which always took yonks to open. Now opens in about a quarter of the time.

Keep up the good work. Cheers PB

 

[poppa bear]

Eaz Fix

To GregS re:

Eaz-Fix does work with Multi boot, same drive different partitions. That's the way I use it. I Multi boot XP and Win 7. When installing, check the custom installation, select Multi boot, install it, restart OS booting into your other OS, install with custom setup only this time check the box that says this is multiboot but I have already installed in the other OS.

Yep, you were dead right Greg. I thought you only had to instal it in one operating system and it would auto pick up the others.

Did exactly as you said and it worked a treat. Decided to go with Comodo. It seems to do everything that Eaz Fix does, except create a back-up image of the whole partition if you need to format your hard drive for any reason. But I've already got Acronis to do that.

I think it will be brilliant when doing a fresh installation. Just periodically create snapshots during installation, and if anything honks up your sytem, just go back to the previous snapshot stage. Then at the end delete all the snapshots used along the way.

I once spent hours re-loading WinXP for a friend, and had it about 90% finished, when I installed Adobe Reader and for some reason it conflicted and wrecked the whole installation. I had previously turned off Windows Restore because I wanted to save hard drive space. Eaz Fix or Comodo would have been brilliant, and it doesn't take up anything like the space used by Windows Restore which really bloats your system.

Thanks again Greg, I'm really grateful. Great program. Cheers PB