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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

I just tried that, but for me it doesn't work .
I really do not understand MS. People want to use their software and they're still not satisfied .

Styx.

I guess you made sure you put it in the normal 64bit Program files, not the 32bit Program files(x86)?

PB

 

[Styx]

I guess you made sure you put it in the normal 64bit Program files, not the 32bit Program files(x86)?

Yes, I did. Replacing the file wasn't possible, so I did the takeownership stuff again, but no succes. Do I need to work through the whole process (page 1) again?

Styx.

 

[poppa bear]

I guess you made sure you put it in the normal 64bit Program files, not the 32bit Program files(x86)?

Yes, I did. Replacing the file wasn't possible, so I did the takeownership stuff again, but no succes. Do I need to work through the whole process (page 1) again?

Styx.

When you say no success, do you mean you replaced the existing msoe.dll and it still didn't work; or do you mean you couldn't replace it?

If you were unable to replace it, try taking manual control as per Footnote 1 of the main tutorial on page 1 of this thread.

PB

 

[Styx]

When you say no success, do you mean you replaced the existing msoe.dll and it still didn't work; or do you mean you couldn't replace it?

If you were unable to replace it, try taking manual control as per Footnote 1 of the main tutorial on page 1 of this thread.

I did take manually control and was then able to replace the file, but WM did not work.

 

[poppa bear]

When you say no success, do you mean you replaced the existing msoe.dll and it still didn't work; or do you mean you couldn't replace it?

If you were unable to replace it, try taking manual control as per Footnote 1 of the main tutorial on page 1 of this thread.

I did take manually control and was then able to replace the file, but WM did not work.

I know this sounds basic, but have you rebooted your PC since doing it?

It seems that simply replacing msoe.dll fixes it in some environments but not others. I'll see what I can find out in this respect.

In post No 519 here weaver0 had the same problem with two 32bit systems. By using the updated msoe.dll it fixed the problem for him. However, from reading your previous post it seems you have already tried using the zipped updated msoe.dll.

The only other thing I can suggest would be to reload the original Windows Mail folder in the normal 64bit Program files and then do the tutorial from the top, but use the updated msoe.dll, not the one shown in the tutorial.

Let me know how you get on.

PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

4the KB978542 update of the msoe.dll file does not bork 32bit WinMail.

I had to fix two 32-bit installs just this afternoon, so this statement is untrue. Fortunately, replacing the msoe.dll file with the post-KB978542 Vista 32-bit (6.0.6002.18197) file fixes it (even without a reboot/safe mode as others have stated - kill the winmail.exe process). I'll attach this file.

I am still trying to find the 64-bit file... Most of my clients have moved to Win7, so don't know if I can get it soon.

found the patched vista 64 file

Are those patched files now on page 1?

 

[Styx]

I know this sounds basic, but have you rebooted your PC since doing it?
It seems that simply replacing msoe.dll fixes it in some environments but not others. I'll see what I can find out in this respect.

Nothing wrong with basic, a simple reboot did the trick. Why didn't I think of that myself? Thanks very much!

Styx.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Someone on another forum suggested that OEspamfilter.dat should also be copied across from an up to date Vista...something to with the Junk Filter...? Sorry but I'm not too technical when it comes to this sort of thing so I wonder Mark if you have any comments on that?

 

[poppa bear]

Updated msoe.dll files

Hi Ex_Brit, re:

Are those patched files now on page 1?

No, not to my knowledge but will speak to Brink about getting them on there.

To Styx, re:

Nothing wrong with basic, a simple reboot did the trick. Why didn't I think of that myself? Thanks very much!

Hey that's great Styx. Glad you got it working.

Cheers PB

 

[NoN]

Someone on another forum suggested that OEspamfilter.dat should also be copied across from an up to date Vista...something to with the Junk Filter...? Sorry but I'm not too technical when it comes to this sort of thing so I wonder Mark if you have any comments on that?

There's nothing technical to paste the OESpamFilter.dat....just do it!

Since the OESpamFilter.dll should exist in both folder.....

I've paste the x32 on my folder...i'm waiting to grab the x64 one...but this you'll have to do it every once MS update the "junk filter" file.

It is just a recommendation to filter your mails better, a bit like "virus definition" in an AV!

 

[steelgtr]

If I originally did the "take ownership", do I have to do it again if just replacing the x64 file?

It's been a while since I did this on my folks system and it's a bit of a drive going up there!


thx

bob

 

[Brink]

Tutorial updated with new 32-bit and 64-bit Vista msoe.dll files.

 

[myself]

Tutorial updated with new 32-bit and 64-bit Vista msoe.dll files.

Thank you very much! Had a problem since the last Windows Updates, WM didn't start at all (although in taskmanager winmail was active, WM didn't show up).
Installing the newest msoe.dll fixed the problem!

 

[poppa bear]

If I originally did the "take ownership", do I have to do it again if just replacing the x64 file?

It's been a while since I did this on my folks system and it's a bit of a drive going up there!


thx

bob

In four cases I've personally dealt with, it was necessary to Take Onwership again. I suspect this is because once the imported Vista msoe.dll file is amended by the KB update, it then becomes a protected Windows file.

On one HP laptop I did for a friend, after a clean installation of 64bit Windows 7, the "Take Ownership" regedit wouldn't work. Neither did the "Run command" in Step 2 to remove attributes and make the WinMail.exe file visible. Consequently it was necessary to use:

1. Footnote 1 of the tutorial to take full control manually of the msoe.dll file.

2. Footnote 4 of the tutorial to make WinMail.exe visible manually.

These two problems seem fairly common in laptops, and HP ones in particular.

Also, the updated msoe.dll file was loaded first, and then the Microsoft update downloaded. Unfortunately this borked the msoe.dll file and it was necessary to reload the updated msoe.dll file again.

Therefore, on a new installation, always get the Microsoft updates first, then do the tutorial steps.

Cheers PB

 

[fastexpert]

Someone on another forum suggested that OEspamfilter.dat should also be copied across from an up to date Vista...something to with the Junk Filter...?

There's nothing technical to paste the OESpamFilter.dat....just do it!
Since the OESpamFilter.dll should exist in both folder.....
It is just a recommendation to filter your mails

Do you have got the junk mail filter to work? I have not got it to run in Windows 7. Even not if I copy the files "OESpamFilter.dat" and "OESpamFilter.dll" from Vista into folder "C:\Programs\Windows Mail" of Windows 7.

 

[poppa bear]

Someone on another forum suggested that OEspamfilter.dat should also be copied across from an up to date Vista...something to with the Junk Filter...?

There's nothing technical to paste the OESpamFilter.dat....just do it!
Since the OESpamFilter.dll should exist in both folder.....
It is just a recommendation to filter your mails

Do you have got the junk mail filter to work? I have not got it to run in Windows 7. Even not if I copy the files "OESpamFilter.dat" and "OESpamFilter.dll" from Vista into folder "C:\Programs\Windows Mail" of Windows 7.

To the best of my knowledge no one has been able to get it to work.

PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

To the best of my knowledge no one has been able to get it to work.

PB

I got it work OK by applying a rule that if the from line does not contain any of my addresses in my contact list then move it to the Junk E-Mail folder and it works, but without a rule, you are right, it doesn't work.

 

[poppa bear]

To the best of my knowledge no one has been able to get it to work.

PB

I got it work OK by applying a rule that if the from line does not contain any of my addresses in my contact list then move it to the Junk E-Mail folder and it works, but without a rule, you are right, it doesn't work.

Hey Ex_Brit that's a real handy tip. Can you tell me exactly how to go about using the "from line" command?

Cheers PB

 

[Ex_Brit]

Hmmm, now let me see....

Tools/Message Rules/Mail

Section 1: Check "Where the from line contains people"

Section 3: Click "Contains People"

Click Contacts - your contact list comes up. Highlight the first one and then holding down the Shift key scroll down using your down arrow to highlight them all.

Add them to the right column by clicking the "From" button.

Click OK

(You may get an error if you have contacts without an email address as it will only add ones with one. That's OK)

Now click the "Options" button.

In section 1: Click the 2nd option: "Message does NOT contain the people below"

Click OK and OK again and you should now be back to original message rule window.

Section 2: Select "Move it to the specified folder"

Section 3: Scroll down to and click on "specified"

In the ensuing window expand the tree & select Junk E-Mail.

Click OK

In the ensuing windows click "Apply Now"

Highlight the rule above and click "Apply Now" at the bottom.

It should say the the rules have been applied. Click OK and you are done.

Hope that works for you!! Mail rules can be fickle as they aren't the easiest things to set up. I used to use them a lot to filter spammers out of the Microsoft Newsgroups in OE and WM.

 

[poppa bear]

Hmmm, now let me see....

Tools/Message Rules/Mail

Section 1: Check "Where the from line contains people"

Section 3: Click "Contains People"

Click Contacts - your contact list comes up. Highlight the first one and then holding down the Shift key scroll down using your down arrow to highlight them all.

Add them to the right column by clicking the "From" button.

Click OK

(You may get an error if you have contacts without an email address as it will only add ones with one. That's OK)

Now click the "Options" button.

In section 1: Click the 2nd option: "Message does NOT contain the people below"

Click OK and OK again and you should now be back to original message rule window.

Section 2: Select "Move it to the specified folder"

Section 3: Scroll down to and click on "specified"

In the ensuing window expand the tree & select Junk E-Mail.

Click OK

In the ensuing windows click "Apply Now"

Highlight the rule above and click "Apply Now" at the bottom.

It should say the the rules have been applied. Click OK and you are done.

Hope that works for you!! Mail rules can be fickle as they aren't the easiest things to set up. I used to use them a lot to filter spammers out of the Microsoft Newsgroups in OE and WM.

Wow! I'm impressed!

Thanks heaps Ex_Brit. How the heck did you work all that out? You deserve a Victoria Cross for that effort!

Cheers PB