How to Uninstall Microsoft Outlook Express

Outlook Express is an easy-to-use and lightweight desktop client that makes it easy for you to directly manage email on your computer. Because of Windows security upgrades and other updates that you periodically install onto your computer, it is sometimes necessary to remove and then reinstall Outlook Express. Although the process of removing the application may seem intimidating, it can be done relatively quickly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Microsoft Outlook Express

1. Log on to your computer. Make sure that your account has administrative rights. Your CD-Rom drive should also be empty. Remove any disc that may be inside of it.

2. Double-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Folder options." Click "View."

3. Go to the "Hide Files and Folders" section. Click "Show hidden files and folders." Select the check box for "Hide file extensions for known file types" to clear it. Then click and clear the check box for "Hide Protected Operating Systems Files." A dialog box with a warning message will pop up. Click the "Yes" button. Close the "Folder Options" window by clicking "OK."

4. Click the "Start" button. Navigate to "Programs" and then "Accessories." Choose "Windows Explorer."

5. Find the following three files on your computer:
   1. C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Stationery
   2. C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\Application Data\Identities (or C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities)
   3. C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book (or C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\Local Settings\Application Data\Address Book)

6. Rename each of the folders you just located. Click on a folder and press "F2." Rename the folders to: "old_stationery," "old_identities" and "old_address." Click "Enter" when you finish renaming each folder.

7. Click "Start" again and select "Run". In the "Open" box, type "regedit."

8. Locate the following registry keys. Right-click on each registry key and select "Delete."
   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}

9. Quit the registry editor. Click "Start" and go to "Search". Click "For Files and Folders".

10. Find the following files on your computer:
    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

11. Click on each file and press "F2." Rename each of the files to "filename.old" (for example, inetcomm.old). Then press "Enter." Do this for each of the files listed in step 10. When Windows prompts you about file protection, click "Cancel." Do not insert the Windows CD into your CD-Rom drive. When Windows prompts you about not recognizing the file, click "Yes."

Tips & Warnings

• Backup your inbox and other data before removing Outlook Express.
• Use Registry Editor at your own risk. If you use it incorrectly, you may need to reinstall your operating system.

Resources

• Help and support for Outlook Express 6.0