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and many of the link pointers within have become mislinked over time, many of the files or information within them is outdated, incomplete, or superseded with more accurate information - and so be careful.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

 

[bobkupferer]

I wish to use gmail as my default email program, is this possible?

 

[Greg S]

I wish to use gmail as my default email program, is this possible?

Yes it is, I do/did. Try this Windows Mail - Gmail Help

 

[roncerr]

I wish to use gmail as my default email program, is this possible?

Yes it is, I do/did. Try this Windows Mail - Gmail Help

That's a confusing question. Gmail is not a program so it can't be a default program. However, as Greg S suggests you can use the gmail "service" as the default IMAP account in any email program that includes IMAP (like OE, WM, or WLM). But when you set up your default program it will be the email program (WLM in the case of Windows 7) that is the "default".

 

[Gryphon]

Error message help

Got a problem. Did the procedure to enable WM, works perfectly with one exception - when I click on a link within an email, an error message pops up, "There was a problem sending the command to the program". Can anyone guide me as to how to correct this?

Thanks,
Gryphon

 

[roncerr]

I'm not sure specifically about WM, but in general default program issues can often be fixed by going to the last item in Default Programs (set computer defaults) and under "Custom", choose the program you want for email and browser (WM and IE8) rather than "my current program". Hopefull WM will be listed there. Also, if you are using IE8 as your browser it may help to reset it (Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/Reset...).

 

[Gryphon]

Nope

Thanks for the suggestion, I'd already done that, and am still getting the can't send to program error.

Gryph

 

[mick823]

Gryphon, The problem you described is a recent event using the Windows mail program. It just started happening to me last week after using WM for more than a year. I suspect that the problem is related to security updates in Internet Explorer. I first noticed the issue after installing security update for windows KB2183461 which is an IE8 update. You could try uninstalling the update to see if it fixes the problem. I deleted the email message that was causing the problem so I am not able to test. You can always reinstall the update if it turns out that the update is not the problem. Just a hunch but at least it is a start.

 

[Gryphon]

Thanks

Thanks for the info Mick. I got the links to be clickable by installing the updated version of WLM, then going thru the steps again. works perfectly now.

Gryph

 

[roncerr]

...I got the links to be clickable by installing the updated version of WLM, then going thru the steps again...

I thought you were using WM not WLM. Perhaps you mean WM and you followed the steps in the Tutorial which now contains an updated version of msoe.dll. Correct?

 

[Gryphon]

WM vs. WLM

I am using Windows mail, but when my wife tried to click a link in her WLM and had the same error, I figured it might be an OS problem opposed to an error in my following the tutorial. Updated WLM, went thru the tutorial again, problem fixed. So you may be correct in stating it was an updated msoe.dll, as I downloaded the file again.

Gryph

 

[poppa bear]

I am using Windows mail, but when my wife tried to click a link in her WLM and had the same error, I figured it might be an OS problem opposed to an error in my following the tutorial. Updated WLM, went thru the tutorial again, problem fixed. So you may be correct in stating it was an updated msoe.dll, as I downloaded the file again.

Gryph

The problem was not with the msoe.dll file because if this file is affected Windows Mail will not run period, but your WinMail did run. It was only one function in WinMail that was kaput. Since all the other files in the WinMail folder in program files are used by WinLiveMail it is reasonable to assume that one of these files had been affected which in turn affected one of the functions of WinMail. Once the culprit file was fixed in WinLiveMail update it was also auto fixed for WinMail operations. Furthermore, you would never get that update running WinMail by itself, as it doesn't get updates because it's a hybrid application and not recognized for the purposes of updates. Have to say that was a clever work around.

 

[roncerr]

Check out this post: http://www.sevenforums.com/browsers...-windows-7-but-ui-disappeared.html#post978773 . The discussion implies that maybe one of the msoe.dll files (32 or 64) may be out of date but upon comparing my updated Vista 32-bit system with the current tutorial, they seem to be the same based on size and date:
1,616,384 1/29/10

 

[oceano]

Manually show hidden files

• Go to: Start Orb ==> Computer ==> C: Drive ==> Program Files ==> Open: Windows Mail ==> Top Task Bar ==> Tools ==> Drop down menu ==> Folder Options ==> View Tab
• Dot: Show hidden files, folders...
• Untick: Hide empty drives... Hide extensions... Hide protected operating...
• In response to the warning click: Yes ==> Apply ==> OK.
• After all the steps are done, restore default view settings.

Can someone tell me why the last line?
wont that remove all MY old view settings?
thanks all

 

[roncerr]

Manually show hidden files ...

The path to show hidden files has nothing to do with the Windows Mail program itself, but is needed to be set temporarily to "show hidden files" in Windows Explorer so that some Windows files can be manipulated. The "View" section of "Folder Options" is found through Control Panel>>Folder Options or in any Windows Explorer window with the menu bar turned on (File Edit View Tools Help) under Tools>>Folder Options... If you want you can always show hidden files but if you also show "Protected Operating System Files" it may clutter your desktop and folders with stuff you don't want to see.

Edit: After reading your question again, I realize you're asking about "restore default view settings". You are right that would wipe out all you're customizations, which you don't have to do. The instructions are merely saying you can undo the view changes you made for the purpose of installing Windows Mail.

 

[oceano]

thanks

 

[Raymond2512]

I installed windows mail in my windows 7 following your explanations here... It was working perfect but after some month, now it does not connect to the server. I do not know if I have to re install it or if it was disable by a recent update from microsoft. I will appreciated your answer. Thanks a lot again.
Raymond

 

[Fejinwales]

A friend of mine has recently began having the same problem with Windows mail that I installed on his Windows 7 Professional system.
It turned out, that with his system at least, it was the VPN that he had recently paid for and made a new network connection for that was stopping Mail connecting, once that was disconnected everything worked fine. I've not been able to find out why the VPN is stopping it though, I would appreciate any suggestions anyone might have in addressing this.

 

[poppa bear]

I installed windows mail in my windows 7 following your explanations here... It was working perfect but after some month, now it does not connect to the server. I do not know if I have to re install it or if it was disable by a recent update from microsoft. I will appreciated your answer. Thanks a lot again.
Raymond

There was a Microsoft update several months back that stopped WinMail working. Do not uninstall this update.

If this is the cause of the problem, to fix it simply replace the msoe.dll file in Windows Mail folder as per Step 4 of the tutorial on page one of this thread. The download buttons will give you an updated msoe.dll file. If that doesn't help, unfortunately I can't offer any other solution, except maybe to run the whole tutorial.

Cheers PB

 

[kewl1]

That's odd. I was not effected on my laptop or desktop. Everything is still fine here. There are however two "optional " updates I have not downloaded both for "Windows Live Essentials". Could they be the ones? One has the number kb2434419 and the other has no number.

 

[poppa bear]

That's odd. I was not effected on my laptop or desktop. Everything is still fine here. There are however two "optional " updates I have not downloaded both for "Windows Live Essentials". Could they be the ones? One has the number kb2434419 and the other has no number.

The update is KB 978542 and is a security update which modifies the msoe.dll file in Windows Mail folder in program files.

For reasons unknown, this update did not affect WinMail in my 32bit version of Windows 7, but completely stopped WinMail working in 64bit version. Are you using 32bit Windows 7?

After the KB978542 update had become available, the tutorial was edited to provide a new modified msoe.dll file. These latest msoe.dll files came from Vista 32 and 64bit installations that had the KB update installed, which meant the msoe.dll files were modified in these versions of Vista.

Once the KB update is installed on your PC, and you have subsequently fixed WinMail with the current updated msoe.dll file from the tutorial, you should not uninstall the KB update. If you do, the next time you get Windows updates, it will download this update again, and it will once again modify the msoe.dll so it stops WinMail working.

However, if the KB update is left in the system, and the modified msoe.dll done afterwards, when Windows updates are next installed, the update engine will see the installed KB update, but not recognize the actual msoe.dll file as a Vista file, and hence will not see any need to reinstall the update again.