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Thread ID: 50163 2004-10-12 08:29:00 Manually remove Outlook Express? fairway (5932) Press F1
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280517 2004-10-12 08:29:00 Has anyone done this yet? Any Complications?

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
fairway (5932)
280518 2004-10-12 08:51:00 Why would you want to?
Bye
Peter H (220)
280519 2004-10-12 09:00:00 >>Why would you want to?


Because I have never used it :)

I have removed it from both XP and Win2k, and Win98SE.

Instead of renaming files I just deleted them, I couldnt see the reason for renaming, except only if OE was going to be re-installed.

Microsoft doesnt like you to delete the Outlook Express folder in Program files, or it's contents. I had to boot into DOS and delete from there.

It all saves a bit of space.
Terry Porritt (14)
280520 2004-10-12 09:01:00 There is life after microsoft isn't there? fairway (5932)
280521 2004-10-12 09:03:00 Forgot, I also ran Registry First Aid to remove the last dregs of OE. It does take a bit of removing though, files try to re-install themselves again. Terry Porritt (14)
280522 2004-10-12 09:47:00 Hi folks. >It all saves a bit of space.
Seems like a lot of shagging about with the potential to do untold damage just to delete something you can ignore, especially with the size of today's hard drives. Nothing personal in this comment - just thinking out loud.
Scouse (83)
280523 2004-10-12 09:53:00 Peter, it is not an easy decision to make to remove it hence the post, I have used it for years.
It is now become quite obvious that outlook express is flawed in the security area beyond repair, couple that with Microsoft soon to stop updates for anything other than XP.
I look upon this move as a natural progression to an easier, safer and more secure Mail system so I will use web based mail in the mean time.
fairway (5932)
280524 2004-10-12 10:05:00 I find Thunderbird a more than adequate replacement for OE. Thanks for the topic, and the others who have done the bizzo already, doesn't look too onerous a task for the reward.

Cheers Murray P
Murray P (44)
280525 2004-10-12 11:18:00 I too use Thunderbird, and if you have a look through my previous posts, Ive done something similar with Thunderbird/Firefox replacing IE / Outlook Express :-)

Obviously not all are going to bother with it, after all Microsoft still needs minions to buy their products and suffer using them ;-)


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
280526 2004-10-12 11:39:00 Chill .
Remember that new B-) O/S .. due out in fall next year .. 12 months or so
fairway (5932)
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