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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

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• 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

 

[GIGN1987]

Hi there again i have other question. Its possible to set windows mail thats it will download incomimg mails to local folder from gmail ? i think it to all folders like outgoing mail etc.
Thanks for reply

 

[Greg S]

Hi there again i have other question. Its possible to set windows mail thats it will download incomimg mails to local folder from gmail ? i think it to all folders like outgoing mail etc.
Thanks for reply

Yes, that's done on part from Gmail setttings then in Windows Mail. The instructions for doing so come from Gmail Windows Mail - Gmail Help
Do steps 1 and 2

 

[mick823]

Windows Mail will not let you setup a pop3 account to download from hotmail. Any attempt to set up an account with an @hotmail.com address will generate a "Windows mail no longer supports the HTTP servers used by Hotmail and other web based e-mail providers" and won't let you proceed. I have found a workaround complete with a Word document pictorial that I could provide if one of the administrators could give me instructions on how to upload or email for evaluation and editing. I have the ability to generate a .doc, .html or .mht simple web page from within Word but that is about it. I wasn't able to find a turorial here for the hotmail issue with Windows Mail. For all I know a tutorial may already be on the site.

 

[Greg S]

Windows Mail will not let you setup a pop3 account to download from hotmail. Any attempt to set up an account with an @hotmail.com address will generate a "Windows mail no longer supports the HTTP servers used by Hotmail and other web based e-mail providers" and won't let you proceed. I have found a workaround complete with a Word document pictorial that I could provide if one of the administrators could give me instructions on how to upload or email for evaluation and editing. I have the ability to generate a .doc, .html or .mht simple web page from within Word but that is about it. I wasn't able to find a turorial here for the hotmail issue with Windows Mail. For all I know a tutorial may already be on the site.

Personally I use Gmail but what you offer sounds like it would be a great addition to this topic.

 

[GIGN1987]

thanks it working now thank you very much

 

[friendlyphil]

Thanks, poppa bear. I hate it when I am forced to follow the directions. But once I used the .zip file, all is now well. Thanks again.

 

[Don DeBaer]

I did finally get WinMail to open on my Windows 7 Ultimate. I think some of the problem was the fact that it was 64 bit. In any case....now the problem is that every time it does open...Winmail creates a new set of recovered message folders each time. I did put in my messages that I and address file that I needed to keep that were under the User/App/local.......files....but I am not understanding why it recovers these files on each launch. Not the messages each time...but a whole new set of file folders for the messages. Do you know how to correct this??

 

[poppa bear]

I did finally get WinMail to open on my Windows 7 Ultimate. I think some of the problem was the fact that it was 64 bit. In any case....now the problem is that every time it does open...Winmail creates a new set of recovered message folders each time. I did put in my messages that I and address file that I needed to keep that were under the User/App/local.......files....but I am not understanding why it recovers these files on each launch. Not the messages each time...but a whole new set of file folders for the messages. Do you know how to correct this??

Haven't encountered this problem before, and unfortunately what you've said doesn't make sense re User/App/local.......files? But obviously that's where the problem lies.

First off I'd suggest undoing whatever steps you took re User/App/local.......files.

If that doesn't fix it, all I can really suggest is to save all your emails. Then completely remove the current 64bit Windows Mail files; restore the entire original Windows Mail folder that came in Windows 7; then start the whole import process again using the instructions in post 317 found here. Follow the instructions exactly.

Please note, in 64bit Windows 7 there are two Windows Mail folders. One in the normal 64bit Program files, and one in the 32bit Program Files(x86). All modifications should be made in the normal 64bit Program files.

When carrying out Step 4 of the post, make sure you import the "msoe.dll" file to the 64bit normal Program Files, not the Program Files(x86). See Footnote 3 of the post and the diagram in it to see exactly where it should go.

Could you then try to be more exact in explaining what you were originally trying to achieve with User/App/local.......files, and someone may be able to help you with this issue.

Good luck. PB

 

[Don DeBaer]

transferring old emails, folders, address book, etc

Users>Name>appdata>local>microsoft>windowsmail.............
When doing a backup set...this is where all the created folders, old emails, address book, etc are located. Those files are not in the Winmail file in program files. If these files are not moved to the new computer, how would it find the old emails and files and address book. Those files are not in the one dll file?
Whenever I have upgraded from 98 to XP and XP to Vista...I have always moved these files so that Winmail (or Outlook Express) were kept up with all of the business emails I need to retain.
I don't have a problem doing this all over again...because I need to have it correct on my laptop. I guess I would like to understand how the not just have Winmail on the Windows7 computer...but also have retained all of the old files, emails, folders, and address book that are currently on the desktop computer running Vista.

 

[poppa bear]

How to import Windows Mail Contacts, Accounts, Folders & Emails from Vista or Outlook Express to Windows Mail in Windows 7.

A) From Vista

1. Easy Method.
Emails, Folders & Accounts:

• Show hidden folders by opening any folder and going to: Tools --> Folder Options --> View --> Dot: Show hidden file, folders and drives.
• In Vista open: Start orb --> User Name --> AppData --> Local --> Microsoft --> Windows Mail --> Local Folders
• Copy the entire contents of Local Folders as shown in following picture. Click on the picture to enlarge it. The codes in the accounts have been replaced with x & y for security reasons.

​

• In Windows 7 also show hidden folders & go to: Start orb --> User Name --> AppData --> Local --> Microsoft --> Windows Mail --> Local Folders
• Completely delete the entire contents of Local Folders as seen in the right pane of the picture above. If this is not done, any custom folders included in Vista Local Folders will not import; and there is a danger of corruption from existing files.
• Paste the copied contents of Local Folders from Vista into the empty Windows 7 Local Folders and close folder.
• Open WinMail.exe from desktop shortcut, and when prompted, enter your User Name/Password for your ISP.

You now have all your emails, folders and accounts set up; including custom folders.

Note:

1. Any custom made folders such as Accounts, Invoices, etc, that have been created as sub-folders of Local Folders in Vista WinMail, will only be reproduced as sub-folders in Wn7 WinMail, if they contain emails. Such custom made folders that are empty in Vista will have to be re-created manually in Win7.

2. If the whole Vista Windows Mail folder is imported from AppData, and pasted into the existing equivalent Windows Mail folder in Windows 7, it will create a new folder called "Recovered Folders" with sub-folders of Inbox, Outbox, etc. It will then be necessary to manually drag/drop the contents of each sub-folder into the sub-folders of Local Folders. And finally, delete the "Recovered Folders" folder.

It also causes a corruption which will usually auto-fix, but better not to have at all.

Contacts:

• Open Start Orb --> User Name --> Contacts.
• Drag & drop the contents of this folder onto a data USB stick
• Drag & drop from the USB stick into the equivalent folder in Windows 7.

2. Manual Method:

• Open WinMail.exe application on the Vista desktop.
• In Local Folders: Drag and drop contents of each sub-folder onto a USB data stick. That is: Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items & Drafts; plus any custom made sub-folders you have created, such as Accounts, Invoices, etc.
• Open WinMail on desktop of Windows 7.
• Drag and drop contents of Inbox, Outbox, etc, from the USB stick into the corresponding folders of Local Folders in WinMail. In Local Folders, it will be necessary to create matching sub-folders for your imported custom made folders, before you can drag/drop to them.
• Set up email accounts manually.

B) From Outlook Express

• Go to this post here.

Cheers PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

Poppa Bear, you & Greg S should be awarded the Nobel Prize for Workarounds....LOL!

It just occurred to me as I've had WM working for ages in Win 7 x64...it doesn't appear in my Start/All Programs list, is there a way? (Likewise for Windows Calendar I guess although I haven't done that yet). I mean the regular Programs list not necessarily the Startup items.

Meanwhile I'll do some more research on the matter.

Edit: Please ignore....it was there, I just wasn't looking hard enough...it's the age you know...groan.

 

[poppa bear]

Hi Ex_Brit, re:

Poppa Bear, you & Greg S should be awarded the Nobel Prize for Workarounds....LOL!

It just occurred to me as I've had WM working for ages in Win 7 x64...it doesn't appear in my Start/All Programs list, is there a way? (Likewise for Windows Calendar I guess although I haven't done that yet). I mean the regular Programs list not necessarily the Startup items.

Meanwhile I'll do some more research on the matter.

Hell, with compliments like that my ego's likely to go up like a hot air baloon... double LOL! Truth is Greg S is really the driving force behind the research & development side of it. As he rightly said I'm just the tester outer.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/65191-windows-calendar-import-into-windows-7-a.html


Anyway, your post made me realise I haven't got it in my Start Menu regular programs as opposed to pinning to Start Menu. However, it's fairly simple to do.

• In Windows 7 Program Files open: Windows Mail --> Tools --> Folder Options --> View Tab:

-Dot: "Show Hidden Files"
-Untick: "Hide protected operating files" & "Hide extensions for known file types"
-Click: Apply --> OK

• Still in program files open: Windows Mail folder --> Right click: WinMail.exe --> Send to desktop as shortcut.
• Right click: WinMail.exe shortcut on desktop --> Copy
• Open: Computer --> C: Drive --> Program Data --> Microsoft --> Windows --> Start Menu --> Programs.
• Paste copy of WinMail.exe desktop shortcut into Start Menu Programs & re-name to: Windows Mail.

Hope this is what you were after? Cheers Poppa

 

[Ex_Brit]

Yep, that's it, thanks. Now I'm just doing the Windows Calendar. So easy. Maybe you should do a cross ref to a new thread in Tutorials in case someone is just looking for Windows Calendar as distinct from Windows Mail?

 

[Ex_Brit]

P.S. What happened to "WinCalEdit.zip attached" ?

Edit (again): Found it, sorry so ignore. I'm forced to use my old glasses until my new ones are repaired and I am slightly blind as a result.

 

[poppa bear]

To Ex_Brit re:

Maybe you should do a cross ref to a new thread in Tutorials in case someone is just looking for Windows Calendar as distinct from Windows Mail?

Glad you got Start Menu sorted. After you've done it once, not really hard, and works the same for all programs. Sart menu was easy in XP becos wasn't hidden folder. Bit harder in Vista & Win7.

Would be happy for post to be used as a reference just for importing Windows Calendar but not sure how to go about doing that? Can you tell me how?

Update re:

P.S. What happened to "WinCalEdit.zip attached" ?

Phew!!! Thanks for putting that in.

The attachment file WinCalEdit.zip in Step 6 of Post 375 was an error.

It had been inadvertently opened with NotePad as default, and hence when opened would only show a text file. Have since fixed it.

Cheers PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

You'd have to ask Brink or someone to cross-ref it I guess. I only suggested that so that people looking for Windows Calendar specifically would find it easier.

I found WinCalEdit.zip using a search and for some reason I can't duplicate that now, but I did find the right one as it worked. Somehow I managed to get a search result only for attachments...don't ask.

I remember there were three references to it and 2 appeared to be quite small so I ignored those.

 

[poppa bear]

You'd have to ask Brink or someone to cross-ref it I guess. I only suggested that so that people looking for Windows Calendar specifically would find it easier.

I found WinCalEdit.zip using a search and for some reason I can't duplicate that now, but I did find the right one as it worked. Somehow I managed to get a search result only for attachments...don't ask.

I remember there were three references to it and 2 appeared to be quite small so I ignored those.

The attachment WinCalEdit.zip was included in Step 5 of Post 317: How to Enable WinMail. And that works fine, so I assume your search must have found that one. Anyway, the one in Post 375 also now works, thanks to you alerting me to it.

Cheers PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

You're welcome. Not getting email notifications of posts from here all of a sudden so I have to keep monitoring.

Wish I could remember how I got up a search for attachments only as it was useful.

 

[poppa bear]

You're welcome. Not getting email notifications of posts from here all of a sudden so I have to keep monitoring.

Wish I could remember how I got up a search for attachments only as it was useful.

Unfortunately can't help on that one as too new to forum, but let me know if you find a way. Would be useful info to have.

Cheers PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

I haven't yet managed to repeat it.