How to reinstate WinMail onto Windows 8 or Windows 10

[endeavor]

How to Reinstate WinMail onto Windows 8 or Windows 10 ..including Server
Windows 7 users go: Here

..updated January, 2020..​

   Warning

Microsoft no longer supports Windows Mail, aka WinMail. It's recommended you use another well known supported email client. Using WinMail on Win8 or especially Win10 is not supported, and is a special per-user decision who understands completely that reactivating WinMail 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 makes 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 Win8/10/Server, these issues are programmatic and in most cases cannot be resolved by this tutorial, and will never be fixed.

Having said all that disclaimer, if you have the technical ability, and can put up with the annoying minor by-product bugs, then like so many of us still enjoy using vista WinMail on Windows 8/10/Server ...ymmv!

..The default language of this tutorials install is English..

​

Important Time Line Notes - Must Read (click spoiler)

Spoiler: Important! Time Line Notes:

   Information

Note: 2012 ..if you run SFC /SCANNOW on Win8/Win10/Server (not Win7) ..most times it Will Break WinMail's operation each time you run it since it also overwrites many of the necessary files within your Windows Mail folder. Also know if you update from Windows 8 to 8.1 and especially Win10/Server, as well with doing many major MS updates that come along, they Will stop WinMail from working by overwriting many of the needed WM programs folder files, etc, change permissions, etc; but no problem, just run through the complete tutorial process again which will put back in place anything that was broken.

** Note: 7/2016 ..if doing a repair, then before proceeding, to clear any errant instances of WinMail.exe still running: reboot, or 'end task' on WinMail.exe ..iow, if doing a repair on WinMail because it won't start after an update, and you had been clicking WinMail.exe numerous times to open but it wouldn't - then be sure to reboot Before you start the repair to Clear any errant instances of those WinMail.exe that are still running (there can be many) ..or instead of rebooting you can open Task Manager and 'end task' on any/all running instances of WinMail.exe - in any case do it Before you proceed to delete/replace the program folder. The point is you can't (it won't let you) delete it if any instance of WinMail.exe is still running.

Note: 2/2018 ..for Windows 10 latest builds v1709+ or Server 2019+, it is to know that after installing Updates and it breaks WinMail, you will have to re-do All The Steps on Post 1 & Post 2 again - trust me here, it's just faster/easier doing the complete way in the long run! You see, some updates delete/change a few files and registry entries, while others do it much more aggressively removing most all WinMail files and code, and so it's Much Quicker, More Efficient, Complete, and all inclusive to just run the entire procedures again to catch/fix all changes at once! A fresh install of Win10 1709+ now Requires both Post 1 & 2 anyway ..Feel Confident no matter how many times you run this Tutorial, its files and procedures were specifically made to Not change any current_user settings or message store, and so nothing of that will be touched. When you're familiar with doing the procedures, you'll be able to do it all in just a few minutes!

Note: 7/2019 ..for Windows 10 users who upgrade builds over an existing one on v1903+ ..As We Should Always Do Once A Month Anyway, but Especially Before Any Installs or Upgrades - is to First, Create Full WinMail Message Store Backups Before Doing Anything! Recently some people with their WinMail client working well, had upgraded to new Windows 10 builds, and after going through the full WinMail tutorial afterwards to re-instate, only to find their existing WinMail message store was left corrupted from the 'upgrade process itself' experiencing the Save, Send, or Receive error messages 0x800C013E or 0x800C103C similar to these screenshots as shown below:

Spoiler: Screenshots: Send, or Save, or 0x800C013E error messages

Or



Or

..Or even without getting any error prompts shown above some users stated it would not send or receive, or just close. The easiest fix to resolve these errors after you had run though all procedures in Post 1 & 2 again, is to then perform a full Restore of the Backup/Restore procedure below, and you'll be back up and running like new again in minutes.
! 9/2019, because of v1903+ upgrades causing many message store corruptions lately, I've now made the Backup/Restore Procedure Step 1 ..Everyone should create a Full Backup now ..and then periodically, but Especially Before You Upgrade!
(..if in a pinch you did not save a backup, but were geek enough to have saved a Partition backup of your C:\ Partition at some point, and it had WinMail working on it, you can also pull that 'dated' message store folder, and use that if necessary)
If however you Did Not make or have a full backup available to restore, and find after an upgrade and after you've already run through the full tutorial again, that you still have similar errors mentioned above - then as a last resort, in order to remove the message store corruption without that important backup - close WinMail and you'll need to 'Delete' the message store folder. Now when you start WinMail 'without' one, it will create a brand new message store folder from scratch, all set default, and all empty ..and unfortunately you'll now need to proceed the long way around to set WinMail all up again.
To save yourself all this effort and lost mail, etc ..simply follow the Backup & Restore procedure as outlined in spoiler below, create and maintain a recent Full Backup in advance to have ready ..it takes just a few minutes to create them, and when needed (you will) ..it takes just a few minutes to restore saving you sooo much hassle - it can be a real lifesaver!


One final note for everyone about this issue, don't mistake Send/Receive errors specifically related to not having your Accounts> Properties> Server & Advanced tabs not filled in properly, with Message Store Corruption Send/Receive errors ..of course these Account setup errors are a different issue.
When first setting up your Accounts, Everyone needs to check with and follow their Own particular Mail Server setup instructions given for these settings, and each company whether it be Comcast, Yahoo, Gmail, etc, each seems to be different in one way or another - so be attentive; and also whether you use IMAP or POP.

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fwiw, before running this tutorial I've always temporarily disabled UAC, and the latest versions Windows Defender, just so as not to be bothered by any unnecessary nuisance prompts, but of course ymmv. I use a different AV anyway..

Caution: The Win7 Tutorial procedure will Not Work to reinstate WinMail on Win8/10/Server, or vice-versa!
Do not use the attached WinMailEdit.reg here with the one given in the Win7 Tutorial either because it's only for Win8/10/Server! ..if you do then during first install you'll lose SFC usage protection from breaking Win7 WinMail.
Use each tutorials own install procedure for the OS that it's posted for! Only the Backup/Restore Procedure is the same for all.

Warning: Besides Windows 8, if you're keeping a Windows 10 version Before v1709 installed for your use, then Do Not Use Any Attached Files on Post 2 or it will break your WinMail installation! .In conjunction with Post 1, Post 2 is used additionally Only for Win10 v1709+ and Sever2019+ users only!

<tidbit> If there are any Win10 v1703 users out there who still want to stay on v1703 in its older build b16193 or earlier (i can't imagine anyone but just in case) ..understand you can't upgrade past its b16193 point or it'll break WinMail's operation: see spoiler below "Circumvented Info 6/2017"; if however you specifically want v1703 but want to install its latest build (beyond b16199) you still can, but besides post 1 you'll now need to also include post 2 procedures to fix it. Note: in the tutorial to avoid any confusion with these v1703 build specifics, instead of listing v1703_b16199+ ...I just list it as v1709+

Note: Anywhere in the tutorial that there's a + after a version number, indicates it also includes all versions beyond that one; for instance, when it says v1709+ means v1709, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909 and so on. Same with Server 2019+

Important WinMail Backup/Restore procedures! - Must Read (click spoiler)

Spoiler: Backup/Restore Procedure:

   Information

WinMail Backup/Restore Procedures
​

I've now made this Step #1 to encourage you to create a Backup, Before, you do a Windows Update or Upgrade! It will prove to be of ultimate benefit going forward.
Do yourself a big favor right now - First, Create Backups! ..this is for those who already have a previous or current fully working WinMail setup to draw from; otherwise for those who do Not already have a fully working WinMail installation to make backups from, skip step 1, WinMail will end up being setup default and you set it up starting from scratch. Of course later when you get WinMail setup fully working how you want it, this is when you make a Backup, and keep it current. The only time you create a Backup is on a Fully Working WinMail setup. A Restore is done anytime After you've finished the procedures for your OS version, either after Step 12, or Step 15 depending on OS version.

Now I know at the bottom of this tutorial there is a link for a Built-in Import/Export Backup and Restore (Vista Version) and that's fine and is an alternate way of doing it although not nearly as good or complete as what I will explain next, which is specifically for 'WinMail to WinMail' setups. I Much Prefer to do it this next way for a number of beneficial reasons.
This next method is used when you already have WinMail fully setup with all options and settings the way you want, and contains years of Accounts and their settings, Emails, Newsgroups, and all their Folder structures, all your GUI settings, etc. So before you upgrade or do anything - be sure to create this full version backup for safety, so that you can always easily recover from any message-store corruptions or whatever happens; or you can also Transfer it to another computer, or even Transfer your entire WinMail setup to different OS's right back to Exactly how it was on the source the day you created it, without the need for 'importing' which never gets things like folder structures right anyway.
This is a direct backup, and assumes you're using the default message store location folder.
There is nothing more comprehensive and completely accurate than this next manual Backup/Restore procedure.

Important: Please be sure to have read in the previous spoiler "Important Time Line Notes" Note: 9/2019, and realize just how important it is that you always have available a recent Full Backup of these Backup/Restore procedures below, and the consequences if you don't with lost mail data - I can't impress upon everyone enough of how important this is going forward!

Create Backups:
1. On your latest, fully working ..already setup WinMail client, right click and create a zip backup on this Message Store folder:
C:\Users\yourcomputername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail
..also referred to as: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail
It contains All Mail/News emails with All your individual Folder Structure layouts created, All Accounts info*, and more..
The very important reason to .zip (or .rar) that MSF (Message Store folder) is to preserve it, keep it safe, not allowing any function to ever be able to modify its contents! ..having it always available, as is, able to unlimitedly unzip its pristineness.
2. Regedit: right-click Export this entire Folder Key below: (on your latest WinMail that's already been fully setup and options done)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail
It contains All Settings for the WinMail GUI Layout ..all Tools> Options Settings, Columns, Rules, etc.
3. Open WinMail, go to Tools> Accounts> and highlight Each Account and click the Properties button, click the Servers tab, and write down or better yet copy/paste into a text file the username & password - Do This For Each Account! ..while Everything Else throughout there already gets saved automatically in 1st process above doing the Message Store folder save.
Tip: if you forgot your password and want to reveal what's behind the xxxx asterisk bullets, use This Program to reveal them.
Now save all Three of these backups above aside - to somewhere other than your current hard drive..

(fwiw, on Win10 upgrades especially, I prefer not to use the old import/export .iaf account file method to prevent account mixing of xxxx.oeaccount info, etc, of a 'Before, and After' upgrade conflict where new accounts can get added - Use the full Backup/Restore procedure here instead assuring to prevent those problems)

The reason for these backups is three fold: To easily repair/recover from a random WinMail caused corruption, or an OS upgrade that caused WinMail message store corruption or other corruption, or to transfer your perfectly working WinMail setup from a previous build or OS version to a new one. And so Always create a full WinMail message store backup procedure BEFORE you upgrade! ..which enables you to always be ready and able - to efficiently and easily recover from any mishap.

Be sure WinMail is Closed when you do any of these backup or restore procedures!

To Restore:
When you do a fresh install of a new Windows OS, or an OS Upgrade, or OS Update, and then to setup WinMail again afterwards you First run through the appropriate steps on its corresponding OS WinMail tutorial, in order to reverse the WinMail regression done. Then before opening WinMail - you restore those 3 items already previously created above.
1. Delete the message store folder that's currently there, then extract the zip of your Latest saved message store folder in its place - and Be Careful when you replace the Current Windows Mail message store folder: ..first you Delete it, then extract your zip backup one in its place - understand it needs to be at the Exact Path! You can select to Extract Here, but no matter what just Be Sure you Do Not end up with Two nested: 'Windows Mail\Windows Mail' message store folders one inside the other or it'll break default path and corrupt - the end path must be:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail
Do Not extract/copy/paste over itself (on top of) the current folder and its contents which causes mixing and sure corruption, so understand you need to Delete the old folder first, then, place the working backup one in its place! That's So Important!
2. Merge the latest saved registry export of your personal HKCU reg saved above.
3. To complete* the last item of the Accounts restore, security, you only need to re-enter the name/password of your mail and news servers, in the Accounts> Properties> Server tab, in the slots for it, and is the preferred way (or instead when you first connect to your mail server it'll prompt you to enter it, and checkmark remember box) You should know what your servers name/pass are anyway having them saved in txt file somewhere. *(Everything else within the Accounts settings, gets restored with step 1)

This 3 step Backup/Restore process is many times faster and much More Accurate than any other method, matching its complete source layout so that when you open WinMail, Everything, is already setup Exactly like its source in every detail, fully setup with All Emails, Accounts, Settings, complete WinMail client GUI layout, including exact mail folder structures layout, etc.
Obviously 'Always' keep your backups dated very current!

If you forgot or did not make a message store Backup (Don't Let That Happen!) ..especially for Win10 before an upgrade, and you have WinMail message store corruption errors of any kind, then see within the above Timeline Notes Spoiler, and scroll down to around the Note: 9/2019 ..on how to recover from scratch.

   Note

These above 1, 2, 3 'WinMail to WinMail' Backup/Restore Procedures (only), applies to all: Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Server, and a working (MSF) Message Store Folder and its HKCU (..!when done as directed!..) ..can all be exchanged back-n-forth from one OS to the other it makes no difference - I do it all the time and works flawlessly! ..it's a wonderful, easy, process!

There is nothing more comprehensive and completely accurate than this manual Backup/Restore procedure.

Caution: Naturally this procedure won't transfer properly for those who have message store corruption on their Source setups! ..It also may not work correctly for those who have moved their message store folder from its default location to another! ..So don't use it! A modified backup/restore procedure would have to be done (which has not yet been specified) or, on your new setup when you reinstate WinMail not using the Backup/Restore procedure, instead do the rest of the tutorial which starts a fresh WinMail and sets it up from scratch. Then if needed because of a non-WinMail mail client source, you can use the built-in import features, it's not as good, but certainly better than nothing.

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Win8/10/Server x86/x64
Reinstate WinMail: (Please understand everything on these posts is for advanced computer users only)
1. Imperative, Before Proceeding To Upgrade Your OS, Especially Win10 users! You First create a full 'Backup' of the Backup & Restore procedure of your current, working, WinMail setup. Read the Backup/Restore spoiler above how to do that. Also see Time Line Notes 9/2019 !
2. Go to Folder Options, and set these settings as shown in my screenshot below: (click spoiler to see screenshot)

Spoiler: Screenshot of Folder Options settings

When finished if you prefer, you can put the settings back; I personally leave it, ymmv

3. Install Brinks Take Ownership reg from Here (..or for Win10 Here, but registry lines are identical)
4. Then right click on your "Program Files\Windows Mail" folder* and click Take Ownership
* ..always using "Program Files\Windows Mail" folder only! ..x64 users Never touch/use that other folder there called: ''Programs Folder (x86)'' !
5. Then right click on your "Program Files\Windows Mail" folder, and Delete it **
6. Then extract, and copy/paste the attached, x86, or, x64 'Windows Mail' folder in its place... (match your OS bit)
All the Correct files needed are Attached at the bottom of these posts to download - confirm and match your OS bit, x86 or x64; you cannot mix files from one bit into the other!
7. Create a shortcut from the program folder 'WinMail.exe' file you just copied there - to the Desktop (use to start WM 'After' you're all done)
8. extract, copy/paste the attached "msidcrl30.dll'' file over to "C:\Windows\System32\msidcrl30.dll'' (again match your OS bit)
9. extract, merge the attached WinMailEdit.reg (..this reg is for both x86 and x64)
10. extract "Update_5-2018.zip" (bug fix) copy/paste revised msoe.dll to WM programs folder (thanks dadreamer for your work on this and its reg)

Spoiler: Screenshot: results of Update 5/2018, fix for Advanced Tab

(click image to open full size)

11. For Win10 v1709+ / Sever2019+ users only, continue to Post #2 to finish before opening WinMail; otherwise go to step 12
(anywhere in the tutorial that there's a + after a version number, indicates it also includes all versions beyond that one)
12. You are done..
~ Start WinMail and she opens immediately...
...from here you setup the Windows Mail client as normal...
(click spoiler for more info within)

Spoiler: More information:

For those users who already had WinMail working great on another computer setup, and have done a new fresh OS install elsewhere, or have bought a new computer, or have updated their OS, etc, and want to transfer that other working WinMail message store setup, GUI layout, settings, etc, completely 'AS IS' to their new computer setup (or even same setup) please go back and fully read and understand the 'Backup/Restore Procedure' spoiler on how to do that.

You can do a Restore at anytime After you're finished with your WinMail re-instate procedures for your OS version, which is either after Step 12, or Step 15 ..depending on OS version.

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After correctly doing steps 1-12, I had WinMail start up within minutes on each of these OS's as shown below..
..installed/tested on both x86/x64

Here's first open WinMail screenshots I made in 2012 using it on Win8 beta CP, then to Win8.1 Pro, Server 2012 R2, Server 2016
(click spoiler to see screenshots)

Spoiler: Screenshots of WinMail on Win8 CP, to Win 8.1 Pro, Server 2012 R2, Server 2016

(click any images to open full size)

Windows 8 Consumer Preview, 2012


Windows 8.1 Pro, 2013


Server 2012 R2


Server 2016

Here's more WinMail screenshots made on the first Win10 Preview, then to Win10 pro v1507, v1511, v1607, v1703_pre-b16199
(click spoiler to see screenshots)

Spoiler: Screenshots of WinMail on Win10 Technical Preview, to v1507, v1511, v1607, v1703_pre-b16199

(click any images to open full size)

Win10 Technical Preview



Windows 10 v1507, b10240



Windows 10 v1511, b10586


Windows 10 v1607 b14393


Windows 10 v1703, b15063
..anything beyond b16199 with v1703 here, also requires post #2 procedures to fix it - for more info see spoiler "Time Line Notes" <tidbit>

All new screenshots for newer versions of Win10 & Server will be in Post #2​

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Spoiler: Circumvented Info 6/2017

6/2017
Microsoft has removed the OE legacy code of WinMail, see within article here:
Features removed or deprecated in Windows 10
This further affects/breaks Win10 WinMail users starting at Windows 10 v1703 b16199 onward
Windows 8 and Windows 7 WinMail users were unaffected

Updated 5/2018
WinMail is now working again on Windows10 v1703_b16199+ (onward) ..see/implement Post #2 to fix it!
(to avoid any v1703 build confusion - I just list it as v1709+ ..see <tidbit> in Time Line spoiler)

_____________________________

For using WinMail on Windows10 v1709+ ...see Post #2 for more information
All new procedures & screenshots for these newer versions of Win10 & Server will always be put in Post #2
_____________________________
​

   Tip

As of January, 2020, the instructions given here supersede all other instructions given in forthcoming older posts. Realize some of the posts that follow are 8 years old, and many of the link pointers within have become mis-linked 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

Good luck, thank you, and long live WinMail

...click the Like button below when you're done, it's appreciated...

Related Tutorials

---

• Backup/Restore Procedure 'WinMail to WinMail' (See Backup/Restore Spoiler Above)
• Built-in Import/Export Backup and Restore (2007 Vista Version)
• Windows Calendar - Import into Windows 7
• Windows Mail - Windows 7 Help Forums

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[endeavor]

..updated January, 2020..
WinMail Additional Steps Needed For
Windows 10, v1709 - v1909+
..including Server 2019+

(..do not use these Post 2 steps on earlier OS versions than what's listed here, or it will break WinMail operation)​

~ These next steps are Only for Win10 v1709 - v1909+ / Server 2019+ ..all earlier versions of Win10/Win8/Server stay on Post 1!
~ Don't use the next steps without First completing steps 1-11 above, skip step 12 and before opening WinMail, do steps below:

13. extract, copy/paste contents of the attached x64 or x86 -System32.zip, to the System32 folder (match OS bit) .(yes to any file overwrites)
14. extract, then merge Both of the Two attached .reg files (reg_v1709+.zip & 5-2018_UpdateReg.zip) . (reg's are for both x86 and x64) . 9
15. Then you are done..
~ Start WinMail and she opens immediately..
..from here you setup the Windows Mail client as normal...

Afterwards, Be Sure to set WinMail as the Default Mail Client if desired (is needed for various functions)
Complete the settings as shown in these two screenshots:

Spoiler: Screenshots of How To Set WinMail Default Mail Client

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After you set WinMail default as shown above, then if desired you can also set WinMail to be able to open individual .eml extension files manually, and one easy way would be by clicking on any .eml file, and set the GUI prompt like this:

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All the latest v1709+ WinMail fixes are included in post 2, including Advanced Tab fix assist & SendTo Mail Recipient - MAPI

Spoiler: Screenshot of MAPI now fixed on v1709+

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Here's more screenshots I made using Post 2 OS's, upon first open of WinMail on each of these OS versions:
..installed/tested on both x86/x64 where applicable.

Windows 10 Pro, v1709

Spoiler: Win10 Pro v1709

(click image to open full size)

Windows 10 Pro, v1803

Spoiler: Win10 Pro v1803

(click image to open full size)

Windows 10 Pro, v1809

Spoiler: Win10 Pro v1809

(click image to open full size)

Windows 10 Enterprise, v1809 LTSC

Spoiler: Win10 Enterprise v1809 LTSC

(click image to open full size)

Server 2019

Spoiler: Server 2019

Server Standard with Desktop Experience (x64)
(click image to open full size)

Windows 10 Pro, v1903

Spoiler: Win10 Pro v1903

(click image to open full size)

Windows 10 Pro, v1909

Spoiler: Windows 10 Pro, v1909

(click image to open full size)

_________________________________________________________

Everything was fully proven out, also file/registry simplified the procedure, and removed unnecessary redundancy.
Everything was Tested / Working on my own live setups.

Please be sure you read and understand the Errata (Bug List) linked on the first post
_________________________________________________________

Remember: as it says in the post 1 spoiler notes, that going forward when you install a new Windows Update or Upgrade and it breaks WinMail for the OS versions in this post 2, you will always have to perform the steps in Both Posts 1 & 2 again to fix it. In some cases it may also require you to do a Restore of the Backup/Restore Procedures - and so be sure to create a Backup in the first place! ..Please read and understand all information within the spoiler notes on the first post.

Good luck, thank you, and long live WinMail

...click the Like button below when you're done, it's appreciated...

.

 

[endeavor]

...Future Post Placeholder...​

January, 2020 - a reminder note:
Click spoiler to read:

Spoiler: Jan, 2020

For newer members who are reading Post 1 & 2 of this WinMail Tutorial for the first time, please understand it's for Medium to Advanced computer users only, and anyone who does not understand computers and have a good feel how to maneuver around on it quite well, should Not be attempting this WinMail project; having said that it's quite easy for Advanced computer users.

If you are having a problem and something is not working (and this is your first time having just read the tutorial for the first time) ..take a long pause to think about it before posting, and please go back and read the entire Tutorial again, and again, and again, especially paying extra attention to what's in the first two spoilers on Post #1; actually everything really. Many years of time, effort, and understanding are jam packed into this tutorial, and every question anyone could ever have, and has already been asked, those answers have already been painstakingly and thoughtfully incorporated one way or the other into the tutorial. The Tutorial is also continually being updated often! All instructions are worded and crafted in such a way for a reason and purpose - for a successful outcome. If you do post please provide your OS version and build, and a Full Detailed Description of what's wrong. History shows us that 99% of the time, answers to most questions were because the user forgot to apply one of the attachments, or the wrong one, or not properly follow the directions assuring things are placed correctly.

For long time users on Vista, Windows 7 or 8, and your WinMail setup has been working fine for years, please listen carefully:
Do not proceed installing, upgrading, or even do any updates on Windows 10 until you First create a Full Backup, of the Backup & Restore instructions 1, 2, 3 - no exceptions! ..and always keep that Backup current, meaning, at least once a month create a new one, save it aside off of your current drive; even keep a few of your last dated backups. Do not proceed without this Backup! A few minutes of your time can save your (winmail) life when the time comes and you need it - and for sure that time will come! Without that backup, you will have to start over from WinMail default, scratch, and have lost your entire message store, etc.
I actively encourage everyone to be their own tech support method by completely reading and understanding the process of this tutorial, and once you 'get it' you will have complete control over your WinMail client; well, at least always being able to at any moment, Restore it back to your last saved working backup - so be sure to keep that Backup current!

Ultimately, your ultimate best defense against ever losing Any data, besides the Backup & Restore procedures for WinMail, but for All your drives data, is to create and maintain a recent Partition Image Backup of your OS partition (or the whole drive) ..you do that with your favorite imaging software - I personally do Both!

 

[phillbrett68]

hi i am desperately trying to get windows mail back i am using windows 8 64 bit but no matter what i try nothing seems to work can anyone help me out please thanks forum

 

[krohm]

1 dl windows mail and dl take ownership

2 install take ownership

3 right click on the windows mail folder in both program files and program files (x86) and take ownership of both of them and delete them

4 then extract and copy windows mail across to program files (NOT program files (x86)

 

[phillbrett68]

thats the issue stupid windows refuses to let me take ownership

 

[phillbrett68]

ok got a step further now i get this with the dll file ok (the module "c:\windows\system32\msidcrl30.dll"
was loaded but the entry point register dllregisterserver was not found
make sure that "c:\windows\system32\msidcrl30.dll" is a valid dll or ocx file and then try again any ideas forum hope to hear from someone soon thanks

 

[phillbrett68]

just noticed something quite strange that once i have copied the files over to the program files directory or even once i unzip the files the winmail.exe file just disappears hmm wonder why that is any ideas

 

[krohm]

so the winmail.exe is in program files... then it disappears ? that sounds pretty strange man,.. you sure its in there.. ive had it before where winmail just isnt in there. ok, here is i think a solution i did once

take ownership, delete the folders etc,.. then extract the winmail.zip to a folder in like, your user directory or something.. then copy that windows mail to program files.. then it should work....

 

[phillbrett68]

ok this is what happens i extract the 64 bit one to a directory called c:\winmail ok and it appears that everything goes ok until i look in the folder everything else is listed except for winmail.exe it just is not listed at all so i look at the folder property and it says their are 10 files in the folder and 1 folder and then i look at the rar file and it says 8 files and one folder whats going on why would their be a difference any ideas

 

[krohm]

so you dont have winmail.exe in your zip folder?! go get it then,..

 

[phillbrett68]

nah the winmail.exe is in the zip file but the second i extract it it dissapears no matter what i do ok that is what happens

 

[krohm]

well dunno whats going on there,.. sounds like a windows problem rather than windows mail.. ask in other parts of the forum maybe

 

[endeavor]

nah the winmail.exe is in the zip file but the second i extract it it dissapears no matter what i do ok that is what happens

All of what you have posted previously was covered in the beginning posts if you are able to understand them technically, but as far as your current post, unless by chance you have malware that's deleting your exe's ..then your answer is as simple that you just haven't made the setting to show system hidden files, and/or changed the HSA attributes on the WinMail.exe, therefore you won't see it. However rather than explaining all those details, if you ran the tutorials automation I mentioned and linked on my previous Post then these issues would have been automatically taken care of and you would have had WM running by now.

 

[phillbrett68]

dont even know what the hsa attributes on winmail are or where to find them lol

 

[endeavor]

dont even know what the hsa attributes on winmail are or where to find them lol

Then possibly this WM on 8 procedure is not for you? It's always been said this procedure is for those with moderate computer understanding and abilities.

At any rate, running through the Tutorial again would take care of everything for you.

fwiw, be sure in Folder Options that those settings are set as shown in the screenshot of the tutorial, and scroll down the list shown and 'checkmark' where it says "show hidden files, folders, and drives" etc ..then Be Sure to click Apply! ..and now you should be able to see your WinMail.exe (along with all other hidden files) ..reverse procedure if/when you ever want to put it back if you don't like seeing extensions, etc.


.

 

[phillbrett68]

have given up on windows mail it does not want to work with my copy of windows 8 so it is not ditched so i am using windows live mail for current mail and Microsoft outlook for previous mail my experience with trying to get windows mail working on windows 8 i say do not try it i have failed 3 of my friends all failed and these 3 friends have been in computers since the very early days of computers in the 1970s if they cant get it going it must be something wrong with my copy of windows 8 so bye bye windows mail

 

[elbmek]

I am typing on my win 7 laptop at present, somehow, without my telling it, it switched to using outlook (which I have always hated) as default for outgoing mail and deleted my gmail notifier!!!! Cheek!! Just reinstalled gmail notifier and my emails are swimming in calm water. Dont like windows email systems, they are antique.

 

[nickybum]

Hi,

Hope you can help - I followed all the instructions as descrided in endeavor's post (#10) and thought it had all worked. However when i click on the new 'Windows Mail' desktop icon I get a mesage saying "windows mail could not bestarted because msoe.dll could not be loaded".

Have I done something wrong?

Appreciate your help

 

[Ex_Brit]

I have Windows Mail and Windows Calendar (they go together so its worth doing both) working perfectly in Windows 8, but warning, security issues could ensue as Microsoft wont be patching it through Windows Update because it is totally unofficial. That's why we decided not to copy those tutorials over to these forums.

How to use Winmail on Windows 8.

Windows Calendar - Import into Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums