For almost three years since the writing of the guide for reanimation of the Windows Mail client under Windows 7 operating system, it was found out that the theme is still in great demand, and users still don't like Windows Live Mail. Also since then Windows 8 came out, and got even upgraded to 8.1. I have been continuing to use Seven, yet not seeing for myself any clear reasons for moving to 8. My customers to whom I had been restoring WinMail during this period, have also been using Windows 7 by the moment. However, given that OEM-computers have been already coming with the Eight aboard throughout a long time, and the system shows good results, then sooner or later the question posed in the title of this article would have to be attended. It was found in the Web a solution to the issue, which I tested, corrected, supplemented, and am now introducing to the public.

The result has been tested on Windows 8 and 8.1, 32 and 64 bits. The sequence of actions for different bit depths is the same, but the files that are replacing the inactive ones in the Eight are different. If in doubt about the bitness your system - click: How to determine whether my PC is running Windows 8 of 32 bit or 64 bit.

If you have 32-bit operating system - download the following archive:

EnableWinMailWin8x86.zip.zip
Date 2013-12-06 System  Windows Filesize 2.72 MB Download 2035 Download

Owners of the 64-bit OS should download the different one:

EnableWinMailWin8x64.zip.zip
Date 2013-12-06 System  Windows Filesize 2.95 MB Download 3512 Download

1. Unlock the folder containing the WinMail files. To do this:

a) Run Add_Take_Ownership.reg, thereby activating the Take Ownership service. The package also contains Remove_Take_Ownership.reg for deactivating of the service.)

b) Open folder Program Files in Windows Explorer. To do this, press the keyboard shortcut Win+R, and in the input line Open of the appeared dialog Run enter or copy-paste the string %ProgramFiles%, then click OK. Find there a subfolder Windows Mail.

Same way as for the Seven, regardless of the OS bitness, work with the Program Files folder (not Program Files (x86) for 64-bit, which also has the Windows Mail subfolder).

c) Right click on the Windows Mail folder. Select Take Ownership in the pop-up menu.

2. Copy the content of the Windows Mail folder from the downloaded archive to the mail client's folder. Once you got the permission for the folder, the system allows you to replace the existing content of the folder with the new one.

3. Run the command file unhide.cmd with administrator rights (right click - Run as Administrator). This will remove the "hidden" and "system" attributes off the file WinMail.exe.

4. Unlike in the Seven, the library msidcrl30.dll, which is necessary for the functionality of Windows Mail, is missing in Windows 8 and 8.1. Each archive contains the version of this library corresponding to its bit capacity. Copy the file to the System32 subfolder of the system folder. You can open it also using the Win+R and input line Open of the dialog Run, typing there %SystemRoot%\system32, and finally clicking the OK button.

Thus, the long-suffering Windows Mail has been recovered in another version of Windows. Wonder when Microsoft will finally decide about it - one way or another?

After installing of some system updates, and especially service packs, Windows Mail may return to its disabled state. In this case, simply repeat the procedure. Mail accounts, letters, and settings will stay intact.

UPD: Those who use the interface other than English, should also replace the content of the language subfolder in Windows Mail - two localization files - with the same, but from Windows 7. Bitness of the operating system does not matter for language files.

UPD 2: For Windows 10 after Fall Creators Update (v.1709): Implementation of Windows Mail into Windows 10 version 1709.

UPD 3: Windows 10 after v.1709 - now MAPI is also back to work!!: Implementation of Windows Mail into Windows 10 version 1709. MAPI restored!.

 

Comments  

^_^
0 # ^_^ 2015-06-15 12:31
CLUE: Follwing smart little Freeware-Tool makes TakeOwnership handling soo much, much easier (o;

http://www.zeus-software.com/downloads/ntfsaccess
Ogri
0 # Ogri 2015-06-15 13:15
I'll try it. Thanks!
David Ovens
0 # David Ovens 2015-10-02 19:58
Hi Ogri,

8) Many, many thanks for this info, I have been using Winmail for years, I managed to get it to work for Windows 7 but now I have Windows 8.1 the same tweaks did not work, (I didn't know anything about the System32 dll file!!) Thanks again

Now the big question, will the same settings work in Windows 10? I had a quick look at Windows 10 and the Windows Mail folder is still there in Program Files and Program files(x86) so it looks promising.

Can you let me know if you have heard anything please?

Much appreciated

Regards,
David
Ogri
0 # Ogri 2015-10-02 23:43
Hi David. Yes, do the same in Win10. It works there as well.
David Ovens
0 # David Ovens 2015-10-03 04:58
;-)

Hi again Ogri

Many Thanks!!

I plan to upgrade in the next week, so I will post how I get on!

Keep your fingers crossed!! :-)

Best wishes,
David
Thanh
0 # Thanh 2016-02-19 08:31
Hi Orgi,
thank you so much for advise. I try for Win 10 but it has not been success. I get stuck at the step 3 (Run the command file unhide.cmd with administrator rights (right click - Run as Administrator). This will remove the "hidden" and "system" attributes off the file WinMail.exe.), but it doesn't work, there is no WinMail.exe happened.
Could you please help me. Thank you so much.
Thanh.
Thanh
0 # Thanh 2016-02-19 09:28
Hi Orgi,

Now I can see WinMail.exe, I press but it doesn't work, coul you please help me. thank you so much.
thanh.
Ogri
0 # Ogri 2016-02-19 11:03
Hi Thanh.

If you followed all the instruction's steps, it should work. Maybe you forgot to copy msidcrl30.dll to the %SystemRoot%\system32 folder? Or, if you have already tried to run WinMail before completing the reinstantiating routine, it can stay in processes and prevent the application launch.

Restart you computer and carefully repeat all steps. You can also try to copy msidcrl30.dll to the Windows Mail folder rather than or along with copying it to the System32 folder. Good luck!
Thanh
0 # Thanh 2016-02-19 11:29
Hi Ogri,

Thank you so much. I did it ! I restarted, then made again the whole procedure.
Thank you so much.
Thanh
Dean
0 # Dean 2016-04-15 11:05
On Win 8.1 x64, you have to run WinMail.exe as administrator the 1st time, which isn't mentioned here. After that, you can run it as normal.
Ogri
0 # Ogri 2016-04-15 23:56
I really don't know what you're talking about. Never encountered that. It should work without running WinMail.exe as administrator the 1st time. This is probably some side effect in you system.
Dean
0 # Dean 2016-05-23 15:41
Have you done a test on Win 8.1 (at least since the Nov. 2014 update) ?
Ogri
0 # Ogri 2016-05-23 23:22
Yes, many times. Moreover, it works fine on Win 10 as well.
Nernst
0 # Nernst 2017-10-27 08:39
Can't get it to work on the latest insider update to 10.
Ogri
0 # Ogri 2017-10-27 14:56
That' right. We are trying to find the solution. As soon as it's found, it will be posted here.

Users must be registered and logged in to post comments.

By working with this site, you agree to our use of cookies necessary to keep the settings you select, as well as for the normal operation of Google services.