Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Last night my email was working fine. Then as I shut down I noticed Windows was doing it's update thing.

Today I try to use Windows Mail. Initially it said it was already running (it wasn't visible on screen), so it said try again or restart the computer. A restart later and I'm seeing nothing.

Now I'm actually running Windows 7 with Windows Mail lifted via a hack or two from Vista. I hated Windows Live Mail in the way it tried to sort my many email accounts into separate folder groups per account whereas I like to see all the accounts presenting the email as a single folder. Oh and it also proved a major pain to attempt to migrate to any other email client as Windows Mail didn't want to export into any meaning ful file format that anything else could interpret.

Anyway, before I really get annoyed and inevitably break my computer by trying to roll it back, does anyone have suggestions for what might have been broek and how to get Windows Mail working again.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

was this the update? this is sitting in my tray waiting to be installed> kb905866 update for windows mail junk email filter > if it is then you could uninstall it

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

If it was the above update then I installed it last night. No consolation I know but I am running on Vista and have just checked out my Windows mail and it is working fine. Could it be a Windows 7 issue?

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

I strongly suspect this may be related to the issue you know.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

I belong to a Yahoo Group where we help people with Windows Mail running in Windows 7.
I have identified the offending file causing the problem and it is an easy fix as you need to change an updated dll file.
The update that caused the problem is KB978542 and is for Outlook Express, Windows Mail on Vista and Windows Live Mail on Windows 7.
As I don't want to cause the forum any problems then PM me and will help you out.
I have already sorted out my Windows Mail and, through the group, getting others back up and running again.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Mine did the usual and shut down no problem.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Yep what I can see is that windows mail appears to be running, but not visible. Indeed I even get notifications that there is new email downloaded with the nice envelope icon sitting there begging it to be opened.

As far as I'm aware it isn't breaking any licencing rules to be running Windows Mail on Windows 7. Indeed most of the files are in the Windows 7 installation, just hidden from view requiring a couple of file changes to bring it to life, easily done if you also have a copy of Vista available, of which I do have a fully licenced version that I no lionger use.

---------- Post added at 21:05 ---------- Previous post was at 21:05 ----------

Thanks I'll be in touch :tu:

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Have replied in private but will also post the cure here.
The file that is causing the problem is in the Windows Mail program folder and is the msoe.dll file.
The one that gets installed is for Windows Live Mail so stops Windows Mail from opening.
As I also have Vista I now have the updated msoe.dll file and can send that to anybody that needs it or you can put the original Vista one back.

If you have already tried running Windows Mail you will need to re-boot before trying to change the file to stop Windows Mail running in the background.

This is only a problem for anybody running Windows Mail on Windows 7.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Interesting thanks.

Looks like I'll have to dig out my Vista install discs and faff around with that again. I knew trying to run windows mail was going to bite me one day :(

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

PM sent.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

wohoo. Back up and running thanks. The file you sent wouldn't run. But with a bit of fiddling I was able to restore an old version of the file - right clicking the current version linked to an old version stuck somewhere in the windows restore point.

I just hope that Windows won't now decide I've got something that needs patching again :erm:

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Exactly same problem following an overnight Win7 upgrade. I removed msoe.dll in the Windows Mail folder and replaced it with the one that was in Vista (on another machine). Worked immediately.

Re: Microsoft Patch broke Windows Mail?
 

Sounds like a post here is worth a MHP nomination Rob.