Windows Mail

Thanks for replying endeavour.

I had indeed tried the .bat method (and I do agree that it should appear upfront), but it produced unsatisfactory results (probably the same problems as I subsequently got!), so I started again manually.

In your experience, does the .bat method achieve a comprehensive transfer of Message Rules? I should have mentioned that the message transfer suffered from some issues, like not marking any as read or with flags, and corrupting certain long folder names.

Windows Live Mail came as part of Windows Live Essentials (an element of Win7) on my new PC - installed to the point of requiring my acceptance of its terms whenever selecting something that required use of one of its parts. I have studiously declined every such request, so I guess it's in limbo! The message I get on selecting Read Mail from the IE9 toolbar is 'default mail program is not properly installed' and if I choose 'send page or link by email', I get 'There is no email program associated to perform the requested action. Please install an email program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel.' Of course, I've tried to do that dozens of times, including using the SetWinMailDefault.zip linked at the start of the tutorial.

In the absence of any better ideas, I'm thinking of accepting WLM (and perhaps using it for Subscription/newsletter emails under a different email address - as a security improvement) - on the basis that having an alternative fully installed MIGHT permit WM to be selected as the default (I've seen reference to such a solution in this long thread!).

Howdy All,

Just feel that considering time spent researching error codes from SFC produced cbs files, serious application errors, crashes, security risks, problems with windows update, problems with corrupt files.....never mind wading through this tutorial....


It might be worth advising anybody running winmail on win 7 to run sfc /scannow and if you do not get a no errors found message then there is a prob.

I had followed this tutorial on behalf of somebody who did not want or like winlivemail on their new machine. After a few months with no apparent probs the person was enjoying their new machine but was a little anxious on getting Service Pack 1 installed as it was failing to do so.

After running sfc /scannow corrupt files were found but could not be fixed. After looking at the created cbs file error codes 0x80004005 and 0x800f0805 are the problem.

So even though windows and winmail seemed to be working. SFC does not like winmail.exe registry hack.

The only method of correction is clean install and it cost £25 for an installation disc from the machines manufacturer...

WLM still aint an option and a quick google search will give at least 10 other options. I have used linux based distros and will now recommend thunderbird to the owner of the win 7 machine

I know not of a single person who does not use their machine for emails. Why do people pay a lot of hard earned for a OS that does not take advantage of hardware/capabilities out of box...??????No email client???????


Any way just had to do another clean installation got the updates and sp1 got the antivirus covered did sfc /scannow with no errors found so thunderbirds are go....

John Edwards said:

Thanks for replying endeavor.

In your experience, does the .bat method achieve a comprehensive transfer of Message Rules?!).

Heck no, of course not! It doesn't do anything with that John.

The manual or .bat procedure makes it so that WM is activated/working in Win7, that's all, and so from there just like any other previous OE, WM, or Outlook, or any email client, you then have to go in and manually setup your account info, etc ...and if you have a previous message store and want to import all that, then of course you have to do that manually too. That can be tricky, but there are other threads for that procedure. Actually I have to do an import next week so I will keep you in mind.

To your other questions, I don't have enough experience with Windows Live Essentials sorry, but even though you didn't follow through with it doesn't mean it may not be installed in some way, but whether that matters or not I don't know.

I see you have already researched and tried a number of things to get your default mail program set as WM. I don't know the answer and I would have to search that out myself and work on it, but I don't have the unit in front of me to do that. I'm sure in the end it will be something simple though, you are so close.

Let us know if you find the answer, or maybe someone else can chime in to help you more. Best of luck John!

Thanks endeavour - but WHY isn't it possible to 'import' my complex folder structure and many associated message rules? Surely that information is held in the old OS/PC, so could be transferred to the new one!

endeavor said:

that have helped keep this fun project alive.

That pretty well sums it up. For me, it was a fun project and enjoyed interacting with others on it. I have moved on to WLM but not the latest version. The latest version is not bad though and I did have to use it on a work laptop whilst out of town all last year but as long as 2009 WLM version works, I'm sticking with it for now.

John Edwards said:

Thanks endeavor - but WHY isn't it possible to 'import' my complex folder structure and many associated message rules? Surely that information is held in the old OS/PC, so could be transferred to the new one!

It is possible, if you prepared properly beforehand!

Also if your first tries didn't cause any unwanted registry additions that would hamper what you want to do.
(also I'm surprised your SetWinMailDefault.reg didn't work your button live)

But first as far as your Rules go..
I hope you still have access to your Vista WM source?
(If you did not you may be out of luck as far as Rules go)
and/or did you backup this key in your Vista source?
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail
iow, go to this link and aprox the second paragraph, and read up on the process
just a snipit...

<snips>
Windows Mail

To backup and restore Windows Mail messages, make a copy of all the files in the directory that contains the message and database files. The location of the message store can be found via Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance | Store Folder (the default is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\) and the location is also specified as the "Store Root" value under the Windows Mail registry key below.

In addition to backing up those files, export these 3 registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail
This is the Most Important Registry key and contains nearly all the Settings and Rules for Windows Mail................
<.......snip.......>

I hope you still have access to it John

You can read the rest of the story at that Webpage itself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you don't have access to your Vista setup then.... well this is why one needs to have full unlimited control and full access on every level to backups. Most people don't and wing it.

I'm a firm believer in backup imaging programs for the OS partition, even the entire HD; this way in just a few minutes flat you could image your Vista back, take registry settings or Whatever else you need from it, then image back to current stage W7 or whatever building stage of W7 you've made, and proceed. (having duplicate computer setups are very handy for the tech too)
I still have complete access to my Vista, to WXP, even to my W98 OS's ...and can virtual mount them or as easily image them back to full life to the very day I left them. I'm not bragging about it, the point I'm just saying it would be nice if everyone needs to be Totally Backup Foolproof, and imaging programs are the way because you can never ever lose anything, even moreso for the eccentric (o: can additionally keep an up-to-date duplicate cloned HD once a week or month or whatever, and keep that in your sock drawer as well.

Greg S said:

endeavor said:

that have helped keep this fun project alive.

That pretty well sums it up. For me, it was a fun project and enjoyed interacting with others on it. I have moved on to WLM but not the latest version. The latest version is not bad though and I did have to use it on a work laptop whilst out of town all last year but as long as 2009 WLM version works, I'm sticking with it for now.

Is it v2009 build 14.0.8064.0206 ?

Ya Papa Bear moved on from being active in this project too... I'm glad Brink is still here, and thank you Brink for that, we can't emphasize that enough.

On my own box someday I may when I'm forced too, and will be ready, have the above version wlsetup-web.exe ready to go. I'd think I'll be using WM though till the end of 7 <grin>

endeavor said:

Greg S said:

endeavor said:

that have helped keep this fun project alive.

That pretty well sums it up. For me, it was a fun project and enjoyed interacting with others on it. I have moved on to WLM but not the latest version. The latest version is not bad though and I did have to use it on a work laptop whilst out of town all last year but as long as 2009 WLM version works, I'm sticking with it for now.

Is it v2009 build 14.0.8064.0206 ?

Ya Papa Bear moved on from being active in this project too... I'm glad Brink is still here, and thank you Brink for that, we can't emphasize that enough.

On my own box someday I may when I'm forced too, and will be ready, have the above version wlsetup-web.exe ready to go. I'd think I'll be using WM though till the end of 7 <grin>

I'm using this one

Thanks Greg, okay I actually do have that one too the packrat that I am, and actually back in 2009 bench tested it and still have the registry/file tracking footprint of its install and my notes.

I misspoke since what I'd typed 'wlsetup-web.exe' is the on-line installer which only grabs the latest version, but that full off-line installer file I do still have of that series final build v14.0.8117.416, being 'wlsetup-all.exe' @140 MB representing Windows Live Essentials, which includes 9 programs of bloat but thankfully you can un-check the other 8 and only take the 'Mail' install.