Manually remove Outlook Express

by Jim Boyce | Jan 26, 2005 9:22:00 PM

Tags: Groupware, Microsoft Windows 2000, Jim Boyce, Microsoft Outlook Express, C:Documents, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows, Windows 2000 Professional Tips Newsletter

6 comment(s)

Takeaway: Learn this method for manually removing Outlook Express from Windows 2000 Pro.

This tip is from TechRepublic's weekly Windows 2000 Professional newsletter. Sign up instantly to begin receiving this free newsletter in your inbox.

You can add or remove many of the applications included with Windows 2000 Professional via Control Panel. However, you can't remove Outlook Express using this method. If you don't use Outlook Express or you need to reinstall it, you can manually remove it.

This process isn't complicated, but it does involve several steps. Start by setting folder options to display both hidden files and protected operating system files. After making sure you've backed up any Outlook Express data if necessary, rename the following folders, adding _old at the end of each:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Stationery
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Identities
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Address Book

Next, open the Registry Editor, and delete the following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WAB
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{7790769C-0471-11D2-AF11-00C04FA35D02}

Finally, search for and rename the following files. Note that each file resides in two locations. Rename both copies, adding _old to the end of each.

Inetcomm.dll
Msoeacct.dll
Msoert2.dll
Msoe.dll
Msoeres.dll
Msimn.exe
Oeimport.dll
Oemiglib.dll
Oemig50.exe
Setup50.exe
Wab.exe
Wabfind.dll
Wabimp.dll
Wabmig.exe
Csapi3t1.dll
Directdb.dll
Wab32.dll
Wab32res.dll

Windows will display a file protection warning. Click Cancel when prompted to enter the Windows 2000 CD, and click Yes when Windows asks if you want to keep the unrecognized file versions. Restart the computer after you've renamed the files.

Note: Editing the registry is risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before making any changes.

6 comment(s)