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Just for fun I installed WinMail on Win8 this afternoon (May, 2012) to play a little...
I was surprised to see that MS must have intended to use WinMail on 8 since for whatever reason 8 comes stock with the same 'Program Files/Windows Mail' folder as it was on 7, just like Vista has where of course WinMail works as is. On 7 & 8 successively MS had built even newer version WinMail files too, but upon each OS's release WinMail was not activated and so all by themselves the files would not start WinMail until retro modifications were made, similar to what we did on 7. I suspect it's very possible they use these files for their current built-in Mail client and is why they keep updating them - but I've not confirmed that yet; I've not tried the new built-in mail client yet either.
Doing a little work on 8, transferring files from 7 and a few other things although not exactly like it's listed in posts above, iow, I did not need to regsvr the msidcrl30.dll (gave me a dllregisterserver error when I did) ...but anyway it worked without regsvr. You do not need a specific version of msidcrl30.dll like it says above, since I tried many different versions and they all work, but might as well just use the current msidcrl30.dll out of 7 as it is today, since WinMail works very well with it there and so just copy it from your /System32 folder from 7 over to 8. Keep in mind of course what OS you're using whether x86 or x64 since you cannot mix or substitute files from one into the other.
Now when I went to delete the existing 'Program Files/Windows Mail' folder with the necessary permissions, at first I started typing the cmd's out but was a p.i.t.a, and so instead I used our forums administrator Brink who created This neat little 'Add_Take_Ownership.reg' to do it quicker, with benefits. After using that, then right click on the Windows Mail folder, Take Ownership, and then deleted the folder. Then copied my existing 'working' Windows 7 (or Vista) Windows Mail folder over to Windows 8. (I have my own so didn't need to use the Windows Mail folder attached to the first post) Next I merged WinMailEdit.reg (which as of June, 2015 now supplied at the bottom of this post) This registry file is nearly identical (minus SxS keys) to the WinMailEdit.reg offered over on the WinMail on Windows 7 thread for its benefits which makes WinMail more accurate for all the reasons that have been discussed over the years within the WinMail on 7 thread. The same process applies to Windows 8 or Windows 10.
Note: The first thing you should do after you first setup WinMail and get it Working - is then make a copy of your 'Windows Mail' folder and save it just for these reasons below:
~If you update from Windows 8 to 8.1, or any version of 10, as well with many major MS updates that come along, they Will stop WinMail from working by overwriting many of the WM programs folder files, but no problem, just replace the Windows Mail folder again with your working one to bring it back working.
~Also! ..if you run SFC /SCANNOW it Will Break WinMail's operation each time you run it, no matter if you are on Windows 8 or Windows 10 - it will replace Many of the files within your Windows Mail folder. The way to fix it is very easy though, once again copy/paste your saved 'working' 'Windows Mail' folder replacing the one that's there. (you'll first have to take ownership of it again if needed, as already described)
Anytime any new MS Windows Updates or SFC /SCANNOW ..breaks WinMail ..you can fix it simply by Taking Ownership of the Windows Mail folder again (needed when having done major updates/upgrades) and replacing the current Windows Mail folder with your saved 'working' backup one.
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The above paragraphs are just a previous time-line & informational conversation, etc..
Updated 2015
Advanced users can just start here:
How to install WinMail to Windows 8 or 10
(...first be sure in Folder Options these settings are set as shown in my screenshot Here)
1. install Brinks Take Ownership.reg Here (is what I use, but see there's also Win8 & Win10 versions too)
2. Then right click on your "Program Files/Windows Mail" folder* and click Take Ownership.
* "Program Files/Windows Mail" folder only! ..x64 users don't touch the ''Programs Folder (x86)'' listing!
* Also remember if your OS is x86 or x64 you cannot mix/substitute files from one into the other!
3. Then right click on your "Program Files/Windows Mail" folder, and Delete it.
4. Then copy/paste your saved 'working' Windows 7 (or Vista) 'Windows Mail' folder to Windows 8/10 same.
5. Create a shortcut from the program folder 'WinMail.exe' file you just copied - to the Desktop.
6. copy/paste your Windows 7 * ''C:\Windows\System32\msidcrl30.dll'' file over to Windows 8/10 same.
7. Download the WinMailEdit.reg (supplied at the bottom of this post) ..and merge it (is for both x86 or x64)
~ Then you are done..
~ Start WinMail and she opens immediately..
...from here you setup the Windows Mail client as normal...
Anyway, within minutes I had WinMail start up instantly in each of these OS's below.
Here's the first run screenshots back on Win 8 beta CP, to Win 8.1, to all Windows 10 versions so far.
Screenshots of WinMail on Win8 CP to Win 8.1 Pro & Win10 build 9841, 10041, 10162, 10240, 10586
Disclaimer, and truthfully I agree with the warning article written at the WinMail on 7 thread, Please Read it!
Basically using WinMail on 7, let alone using it on Windows 8 or especially Windows 10 - is Not Supported! ..and if used is a special per-user decision who Understands Completely what the article is saying!
..reactivating WinMail is for die-hard WinMail or expert users only! ...otherwise please move onward to more supported email clients! ...having said that, if you totally do get it, and can put up with the minor bugs, and 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 can do that, then like so many of us enjoy and much prefer using WinMail on Windows 7, 8, or 10 ..ymmv
WinMail Bug List which affects using WinMail in Windows 7, 8, or 10, and Most likely will never be fixed.
~As of September 5, 2015 because of requests I've now supplied all necessary files needed for the WinMail transition available all in one place - attached at the bottom of this post. I'd much prefer each person getting use to using their own saved working x86 or x64 Windows Mail program folder, and x86 or x64 msidcrl30.dll, however I realize sometimes people change from x86 to x64 OS's, or lose their own copies - and so these attachments below are now all here in one place for your convenience.
..and for heaven's sake, if this information has helped you, please don't forget to 'log-in' to then be able see and then click the little 'hand-thumbs-up' icon on the bottom left of the post that helped you, this gives recognition to the poster and shows your appreciation for the work that's been done which has been a lot! I see it, and it is always greatly appreciated!
How did I ever miss this post? Thank you. It's working completely now! WooHoo!
My Computer
System One
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