Windows Mail problems

How to Fix Most Problems with Vista Windows Mail​

   Information

Windows Mail is a new version of Outlook Express with a new name for Vista. Windows Mail only supports POP3 and IMAP E-mail accounts not Web Site based accounts (EX: Hotmail or Yahoo) unless they are the paid versions with the POP3 option. Below are some solutions to the most common issues. For more information, see: www.oehelp.com/

   Tip

For a list of error code numbers and their description for Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail, see: Microsoft Help and Support: Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail error codes

PROBLEM ONE

How to Remove a Stuck Undeletable Message in Windows Mail

   Information

Do the section below for the folder that you have the stuck undeletable message in to remove it. The To Reset Windows Mail section will get rid of a stuck message in any folder.

   Note

This is the usual error message that you will get:

Unknown error has occurred, Windows Mail encountered an unexpected problem while displaying this message. Check your computer for low memory or low disk space and try again.

First

Antivirus and other Security Programs with Windows Mail

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   Note

For more information on this, see: OETips #3 : Turn off email scanning in your antivirus software

1. Make sure your antivirus or any other security programs have all of their email scanning options turned off. The emailscaning option is a redundant feature.​

NOTE: These scanning options can corrupt Windows Mail entire message folder, or the entire message store, when it attempts to remove a message it thinks contains a potential virus. You will still be protected against infection with the antivirus program's system protection. These email scans can also cause problems with opening attachments in Windows Mail to.​

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2. Check the program's website for a update and install it, then install the KB941090 Update in the SECOND section below to.​

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3. If step 2 does not help, then you may need to uninstall the program completely until they have a update that will allow it to work properly with Windows Mail.​

NOTE: Older versions of Norton, McAfee, and Trend may need to be uninstalled. They have had problems working properly with Windows Mail, and simply turning off the email scanning options will not always be sufficient. If Norton does not uninstall cleanly, then you will need to use the Norton Removal Tool. If McAfee does not uninstall cleanly, then you will need to use the MCPR Removal Tool (step 2 at link).​

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4. If this still does not help, then your email account has been corrupted.​

A) Delete your current email account. (Click on Tools, Accounts in Windows Mail)​

WARNING: Be sure to backup (Export) any email messages you want to keep. See this tutorial for how: How to Backup and Restore Messages in Windows Mail​

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B) Close and reopen Windows Mail.​

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C) Add the email account again. (Click Tools, Accounts, Add, E-mail)​

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5. Some Free Alternative Antivirus Programs: ​

NOTE: These work with Vista 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) with no problems, but will need to have their email scanning options turned off as well.​

Avast - avast! Free Antivirus - Download Software for Virus Protection​

(Do a Custom install and do not install the email scanning option.)​

AVG - AVG Free | Download Free Antivirus | Free Antivirus Software​

(Do a Custom install and do not install the email scanning option.)​

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Second

How to Remove a Stuck Message in All Mailbox Folders

   Note

• The KB941090 Update will work on all Windows Mail mailbox folders for removing a stuck undeletable message. I would recommend to install it first instead of doing the manual solutions below.
• The KB941090 Update is already included in Vista SP1 and SP2.
• If you are unable to install the KB941090 update from steps 2A or 2B, then you can try the Workaround in the link in the Note for step 3 below or try manually deleting the message(s) using the Manual section below.

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   Warning

The KB941090 update will just fix this for now. To help prevent this from happening again, read the First section above.

1. Close Windows Mail if open.​

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2. Download the Microsoft Help and Support: KB941090 Update Download Package for your 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) version of Vista.​

NOTE: To see what bit version you have of Vista, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.​

A) Update for Windows Vista 32 bit (x86) (KB941090) < Click To Download​

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B) Update for Windows Vista 64 bit (x64) (KB941090) < Click To Download​

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3. Install it.​

NOTE: If you get the The update does not apply to your system message (See screenshot below), then check to make sure that you downloaded the correct 32 bit or 64 bit version for your computer. If you have the correct version, then you already have it installed since the Vista SP1 and SP2 does include this update in it. You can try the Manual methods below, or the Workaround section in the link Microsoft Help and Support: KB941090 to fix this problem.​

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4. Reopen Windows Mail and check to see if the stuck message is gone, or that it can be deleted now.​

NOTE: If you still cannot delete them, then restart the computer and try again.​

How to Remove a Stuck Message in the Deleted Items Folder Manually : ​

NOTE: This sometimes may slowly delete them one by one in the Deleted Items.​

OPTION ONE:​

1. Click on another folder other than the Deleted Items folder.​

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2. Right click Deleted Items folder or click Edit at top.​

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3. Click Empty 'Deleted Items' folder.​

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4. Click Yes for confirmation prompt.​

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5. Repeat until the messages are all gone.​

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OPTION TWO:​

1. Click on Deleted Items folder to open it.​

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2. Click on a message to delete and click on the red X icon on the toolbar.​

NOTE: You can repeat this one by one for each message you want deleted, or press Ctrl+A, or clicking on Edit - Select All, and click the red X to select and delete all messages.​

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How to Remove a Stuck Message in the Junk E-mail Folder Manually :​

NOTE: This sometimes may slowly delete them one by one in the Junk E-mail folder. ​

OPTION ONE:​

1. Click on another folder other than the Junk E-mail folder.​

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2. Right click Junk E-mail folder.​

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3. Click Empty 'Junk E-mail' folder.​

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4. Click Yes for confirmation prompt.​

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5. Repeat until the messages are all gone.​

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6. You should now be able to delete them in the Deleted Items folder.​

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OPTION TWO:​

1. Click on Junk E-mail folder to open it.​

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2. Click on a message to delete and click on the red X icon on the toolbar.​

NOTE: You can repeat this one by one for each message you want deleted, or press Ctrl+A, or clicking on Edit - Select All, and click the red X to select and delete all messages.​

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Third

Compact and Repair the Windows Mail Database

NOTE: WMUtil is a small utility to allow users to compact and repair the Windows Mail database in Windows Vista.​

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The Windows Mail database periodically needs compacting and defragmenting to function with maximal performance. Currently there is no manual method to compact the database in Windows Mail, unless one tinkers with the values set at Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance. WMUtil allows the user to manually compact the database to remove any wasted space from it. ​

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Occasionally the database becomes corrupted as indicated for example by the inability of being able to delete messages from various folders. The Windows Mail database has a built-in repair feature that can sometimes fix such problems. Windows Mail provides no access to this feature, so clicking on the Repair button will manually run the repair feature on the database. Clicking on the Clear Outbox button will remove references in the database to phantom outbox messages.​

1. Download and install WMutil, then just follow that site's instructions step by step for the "program operation".​

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Fourth

Check Email at Online Access

NOTE: Sometimes a email will get stuck at your email provider's online website access where you can alternatively access your email other than from your computer.​

1. Log in to you online email access for the account that you have in Windows Mail that has a stuck message.​

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2. See if you can resend or delete the stuck message here.​

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Fifth

Alternatives to Windows Mail

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NOTE: If you are not comfortable doing the steps in this tutorial, continue to have problems with Windows Mail even after this, or just tired of messing with Windows Mail, then I would recommend for you to switch (upgrade) to the free:​

Windows Live Mail :​

To Read About It see: ​

http://morethanmail.spaces.live.com/​

NOTE: It supports Pop3, IMAP, HTTP website (EX: Hotmail) email, and is a lot more stable. Plus, WLM will minimize to a tray bar icon, checks spelling as you type messages, and has a separate Inbox for each email account. WLM will automatically import Windows Mail messages, accounts, and settings into it. Contacts will have to be manually imported from within WLM. (Tools, Contacts, File, Import, Address book for current Windows User.) To see the Menu bar, press ALT+M and check "Show all menus".​

For 32 bit and 64 bit Vista: Windows Live Suite Downloads​

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OR​

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Mozilla Thunderbird : http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/​

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PROBLEM TWO

How to Backup and Reset Windows Mail

   Note

This fixes all mailbox folders, message, or account corruption problems in Windows Mail. Contacts will not be affected.

   Warning

If you have created any stationery, then you will need to back it up and add it back manually later. Windows Mails stores stationery by default at: C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Stationery unless you have manually saved it somewhere else. This is a hidden System file location. For how to see it, see OPTION TWO here: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista . You can see more about stationery here: How to Use and Create Stationery in Windows Mail

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Option One

To Backup Your Email Messages to Restore Later

NOTE: If you do not have or want any email messages to be backed up, then skip this part. You will lose all messages not backed up. To restore, see step 13 in the OPTION FOUR section below.​

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1. For how, see: How to Backup and Restore Messages in Windows Mail​

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Option Two

To Backup Your Email Account(s) to Restore Later

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NOTE: If you do not want to back up your account(s) or it is corrupted, then skip this part. You will lose all accounts not backed up. To restore, see step 12 in the OPTION FOUR section below.​

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1. Create a new folder named Accounts in C:\Users\(username)\Documents.​

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2. Open Folder Options and click View tab.​

NOTE: Folder Options is in Control Panel (click Classic View) or Tools menu in a Explorer window.​

A) Check Show Hidden files and folders.​

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B) Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.​

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C) Click on OK to apply and close Folder Options.​

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3. Go to:​

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C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Local Folders

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4. In Local Folders, right click the account{whatever #'s}.oeaccount file and click on Copy.​

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5. Go to C:\Users\(username)\Documents\Accounts and right click on a empty area and click Paste.​

NOTE: If you have multiple accounts, repeat steps 4 to 5 for each account.​

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6. Close both windows.​

NOTE: Your email account information is now backed up in:​

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C:\Users\(username)\Documents\Accounts

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Option Three

To Backup Windows Mail Settings to Restore Later

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NOTE: These settings are stored in the registry. To restore, see step 14 in the OPTION FOUR section below.​

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1. Open the Start Menu.​

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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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3. If prompted, click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail

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5. To Backup All Of Windows Mail Settings -​

WARNING: If your Windows Mail is corrupted or not working properly, then skip backing this up. Only backup the individual ONLY backups (steps 6, 7, or 8) instead.​

NOTE: If you do this step, then skip steps 6, 7, and 8. They are all included in this one.​

A) In the left pane, right click on Windows Mail and click on Export.​

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B) Go to step 9.​

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6. To Only Backup Junk Mail Settings -​

NOTE: This includes your Safe and Block Senders Lists.​

A) In the left pane, right click on Junk Mail and click on Export.​

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B) Go to step 9.​

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7. To Only Backup Message Rules Settings -​

A) In the left pane, right click on Rules and click on Export.​

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B) Go to step 9.​

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8. To Only Backup Signatures -​

A) In the left pane, right click on signatures and click on Export.​

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B) Go to step 9.​

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9. Type in a name, Windows Mail Settings as an example, and Save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

NOTE: This Windows Mail Settings.reg file is your backup.​

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10. Repeat steps 6 to 9 for doing individual backups only.​

NOTE: If you did step 5, then you do not need to do steps 6 to 8. They are all included in step 5.​

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Option Four

To Reset Windows Mail

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NOTE: If you are just restoring your Windows Mail settings and messages to a new Vista install or user account, then you can skip the Reset part and go to step 12 below to restore from the backups above.​

1. Close Windows Mail if open.​

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2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to open Task manager.​

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3. Click on the Processes tab. (See screenshot below)​

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4. If WinMail.exe is listed, then: (See screenshot above)​

NOTE: If WinMail.exe is not listed, then close Task Manager and go to step 5.​

A) Click on WinMail.exe to highlight it and click End Process button.​

NOTE: If you have more than one WinMail.exe listed, then repeat this for each one.​

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B) Click on End process button for the confirmation prompt. (See screenshot below)​

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C) Close Task Manager.​

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5. Open the Start Menu.​

A) In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​

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B) Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

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C) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Mail

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D) In the left pane, right click on Windows Mail and click on Delete.​

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E) Click on Yes to confirm the deletion. (See screenshot below)​

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F) Close Regedit.​

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6. Open Folder Options and click on the View tab. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: Folder Options is in Control Panel (click Classic View) or Tools menu in a Explorer window.​

A) Check (dot) Show hidden files and folders.​

NOTE: For more on this, See: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista​

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B) Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.​

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C) Click on OK to apply and close Folder Options.​

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7. Open a Windows Explorer window and go to the folder: (See screenshot below)​

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C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail

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8. Open the Windows Mail folder and Delete all the contents (files and folders) inside the folder. (See screenshot below)​

WARNING: Do not delete the Windows Mail folder itself.​

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9. Close this window.​

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10. Restart the computer.​

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11. When Vista is done restarting, open Windows Mail and then close Windows Mail again when it is finished opening.​

NOTE: This, steps 10 and 11, will now rebuild Windows Mail and it's registry settings to a clean state.​

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12. To Restore Your Account(s) Back​

NOTE: If you skipped backing up your account(s) in Option Two above, then see * below.​

A) Close Windows Mail if still open.​

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B) Go to:​

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C:\Users\(username)\Documents\Accounts

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C) Right click the account{whatever #'s}.oeaccount file and click Copy.​

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D) Go to:​

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C:\Users\(username)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Local Folders

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E) In Local Folders, right click on a empty area and click Paste.​

NOTE: Repeat steps B to D if you have multiple accounts for each account{whatever #'s}.oeaccount file.​

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* If you skipped backing up your account, then:​

• Click on Tools in the main Windows Mail screen.
• Click on Accounts
• Click on Add
• Choose E-mail
• Enter your email account information from your email provider.

13. To Restore Your E-mail Messages Back ​

NOTE: If you skipped backing up your messages above, then skip this step your messages have been deleted.​

A) For how, see: How to Backup and Restore Messages in Windows Mail​

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14. To Restore the Windows Mail Settings Back​

A) Right click on the Windows Mail Settings.reg backup file (on Desktop) and click Merge.​

NOTE: If you backed up a individual setting, then do the same for it's .reg file.​

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B) Click on the Run button for Security Warning pop-up.​

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C) Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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15. Open Windows Mail.​

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16. Verify everything is working and copied over ok, then delete the backups if you like.​

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I hope this helps everyone,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Fix Multiple Browser Windows Opening When You Click On a MailTo Link in Vista
• How to Fix a Slow Windows Mail
• How to Add the Bcc Recipient to the Windows Mail Compose Message Window
• How to Fix the Spell Checking Language Error, and How To Add the Language List Back
• How to Add a Tray Icon for Windows Mail
• How to Enable Always Check Spelling Before Sending Message in Windows Mail
• How to Edit a Word in the Spell Checker Custom Dictionary in Windows Mail
• How to Add Back and Set Windows Mail Default Associations
• How to Create and Use a Contact Group in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Mail Splash Screen
• How to Backup and Restore Messages in Windows Mail
• How to Create and Setup a Signature in Windows Mail
• How to Use and Create Stationery in Windows Mail
• How to Remove a Single Address or Reset the Entire List of Recently Used Addresses in Windows Mail
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Mail in Vista
• How to Add or Remove a Custom Windows Mail Title Name in Vista
• How to Create a New E-mail Message Shortcut in Vista
• How to Create a New E-mail to a Common Contact Shortcut in Vista
• How to Restore the Missing "New Contact" and "New Contact Group" Button in Vista Contacts Folder
• How to Restore or Remove Windows Mail from Default Programs

 

[adisonsmum]

Hi Shawn

I have to admit that I havent had a chance to try your solution. I am up to my arms with my 8mo baby and in-laws visiting atm and cant get the time to try! lol

Will give it a shot in 3 weeks when they have left if I dont get a chance to before then

thanks for your help so far!

Cheers
Janet

 

[Brink]

Ok Janet,

No problem. Whenever you have the time. If you need further help later, just post back then.

Shawn

 

[brianstickland]

Hi, I had to convert to Vista Home edition when I purchases a new Laptop computer, I found to my horror that Windows Mail. which was the default e-mail program, did not have the excellent Outlook 2003 Task manager that I used all the time to help me run my business.
How do I activate this in Windows Mail, please help.

Thanks

Brian

 

[Brink]

Hi Brian, welcome to Vista Forums.

Sorry, but there is no such option like this available in Windows Mail. The Closest thing would be Windows Calendar included in Vista. There should be a toolbar button icon for it by default on the toolbar in Windows Mail to open it. If not, you can right click on the toolbar in Windows Mail and click on Customize, then add the Windows Calendar icon button.

If you have Office 2003, you can install it on Vista also to run either it or both it and Windows Mail. With Vista, you can use the 2003 and newer versions of Office.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[brianstickland]

Thanks Brink

You say "If you have 2003, you can install it on Vista also to run either it or both it and Windows Mail. With Vista, you can use the 2003 and newer versions of Office."

Is the "it" you refer to the Task Manager.

I have installed Office 2003 on Vista.

As you can imagine the Calender is useless as a Task manager. I can't believe Microsoft would drop such a useful tool. I am sure I am not the only one dissapointed at this news.

Thanks for your help.

Regards

Brian

 

[Brink]

Brain,

Sorry, the "it" was for Office 2003.

I would imagine that Microsoft left Windows Mail as just a basic email client program, and if someone wanted more features, like the Task Manager, they would have to buy Office for Outlook.

 

[fevvers]

Hi Brink, many thanks for the help, it worked the first time and I'm not usually great at fixing computer problems.

 

[CATHYMP]

I have an attachment that I cannot open. Dialogue box says need to create an association in control panel...can't find anything that tells how to create an association. Can you help?

 

[Brink]

Hi Cathy,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

What is the file extension (Ex: PDF, DOC, JPG, etc....) on the attachment? You will need to have a program install that can open the attachment. For example, Adobe Reader for a PDF file extension.

Are you able to save the attachment to your desktop and open it from there?

Shawn

 

[Brink]

Hi Brink, many thanks for the help, it worked the first time and I'm not usually great at fixing computer problems.

Your welcome Fevvers, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[LizM]

Thank you so much, i followed everything you did, i now know what os i am using, and downloaded the fix, problem solved. thank you once again:D

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Liz, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[scl1smi]

Shawn:
For the past 18 months, I have had undeletable messages in my Inbox. It's kind of like having a tiny piece of popcorn in your teeth that you can't get rid of. It's not a big deal, it's just annoying. After going to your thread, and downloading the fix for vista, exactly as you stated, restarting my computer and restarting Mail, POOF!!!, I could delete the undeletable message. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Scl1smi, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[nilaymedh]

Hello. This is probably a feature, but it is causing a problem to me. The mails get grouped based on sender and subject. I am attaching the image. On clicking the '+' sign, the messages expand and the latest message is the last in the expanded messages. The result is that when there is a new mail, it sometimes is far down even when the mails are sorted descending by date, which is very annoying and consumes time. There is an option under 'Tools/Option' to automatically expand the grouped messages or not, but no option to disable grouping. I'm having this problem only since a week, though the installation is a month old, when the messages started being grouped atomatically. Would be delighted if this is solved. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hi Nilaymedh,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

If you look at your image, you will see a small black triangle in the Sent column. This indicates what column is being used to sort your messages. If the triangle is pointed up, it is to sort by Ascending (column name). If the triangle is pointed down, it is to sort by Descending (column name). To change columns to sort by, just click on the column name to have the triangle show there. To change the sort by ascending or descending, click on the same column name again to toggle the triangle up or down for what you want.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[nilaymedh]

Thanks for replying. The problem is not about sorting, it is already sorted descending by date. I'm attaching another image with expanded messages. Notice that after expanding, the recent mail is below the older mail. I want to remove the gouping, so that messages do not get grouped, but are sorted in a flat format. Hope I'm clear this time. Thanks

 

[Brink]

Nilaymadh,

I see what you mean now. The only option that I see is to have the grouped messages expand automatically or not. No option to turn off the grouping of the messages though.

To expand automatically or not:
1. Click on Tools and Options.
2. Click on the Read tab.
3. Check or uncheck the Automatically expand grouped messages box for what you want to see.

I hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[Simreaper]

Hi Shawn,

Was just reading your tutorial as saw a link to it in Windows Mail Community post and there is a small error as you state Norton doesn't work with Windows Mail well it does, at least the NIS 2007(contains Vista update link) 2008 and I assume the Anti Virus 2008 program has the same things in as they didn't work well with Vista when it first came out but Symantec had calls from users experiencing issues and fixed the problem so as I'm currently using Norton Internet Security 2008 and Windows Mail with no issues it may not be the Norton causing the stuck mail thing as from what I read on the Microsoft site this seems to be a known glitch within the Vista programming itself and when I experienced a single occurence of this Unknown Error I tried to install that fix(already had Service Pack 1 installed) and it said it wasn't relevant to my system and wouldn't install it but thankfully since that one folder had the issue its not happened again and have been happily using Norton and Windows Mail for close to 6 months now.

 

[Brink]

Hi Slimreaper,

I'm just going by the thousands of reported complaints in the MS newsgroups and forums that were all directly linked to having a version, usually the AV one, of Norton installed. After it was uninstalled, the problem was gone with it. I cannot say it was all of Norton's fault, but it sure was a coincidence. I have been noticing that the newer versions of Norton have not had nearly the amount of complaints seen on it. Hopefully Norton has the bugs on their end worked out now. I have updated the tutorial to reflect these changes with the newer versions.

I hope you remain problem free.

Thank You,
Shawn