Outlook Express-Won't Open

pmk74,

You don't specify what operating system you are using. If it is Windows ME the information here may apply.

In any case, to uninstall the program go to Start|Settings|Control Panel|Add/Remove Programs. Select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 and unininstall it. Then go back into Add/Remove Programs. Select Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Tools. Click to select it, then from the context menu that opens choose "Add a component." Outlook Express is one of the available components.

Are you a new computer owner, or simply new to Delltalk? You may find some helpful information on how best to use this forum here. Want to make a hyperlink in your post, want to add a graphic or sound file, need to troubleshoot a non-working Java applet, want to build an attractive signature? These capabilities can be yours if you visit Denny's DellT@lk Tutorials. For help in deciding what can be eliminated from your Startup list, take a look here. Want to get rid of Network Neighborhood, change your Registered Owner name? Check out the little utilities at Delltalk Tweekz. Ready to sign up for Web server space? Want to learn FTP? Visit Web Presence for Beginners. For new users (or veterans who would like to help a new user), a number of basic Windows tasks are illustrated in Denny's Tutorial Viewlets. Note: I do not answer Instant Messages but I do answer email.

Denny, Thank you so very much. I now have outlook back!!! The first link you gave me(and yes I do have Millenium -sorry) didnt work. But then I uninstalled and installed with your instuctions and it worked. Thanks. My internet provider told me I would have to take tower to tech to be fixed. He said he couldnt uninstall over phone. I am SO thankful you answered. We are all very lucky to have you here to help us. God Bless You! Phyllis Hope you dont mind but I have one more question. How can I get shortcut for desktop on taskbar? I use to have it but it disappeared. Thank you.

pmk74,

For the desktop, in Windows Explorer go to C:\Windows\Desktop folder. Right-click and select "Send to|Desktop (create shortcut)." When the shortcut is on the desktop you can drag it to the Quick Launch toolbar.

Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java.

Are you a new computer owner, or simply new to Delltalk? You may find some helpful information on how best to use this forum here. Want to make a hyperlink in your post, want to add a graphic or sound file, need to troubleshoot a non-working Java applet, want to build an attractive signature? These capabilities can be yours if you visit Denny's DellT@lk Tutorials. For help in deciding what can be eliminated from your Startup list, take a look here. Want to get rid of Network Neighborhood, change your Registered Owner name? Check out the little utilities at Delltalk Tweekz. Ready to sign up for Web server space? Want to learn FTP? Visit Web Presence for Beginners. For new users (or veterans who would like to help a new user), a number of basic Windows tasks are illustrated in Denny's Tutorial Viewlets. Note: I do not answer Instant Messages but I do answer email.

You might consider upgrading to Windows Live Mail, which is available free from Microsoft for XP. It can import your old Outlook Express messages, provided the latter's databases are not corrupt.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3945

Hi Happiday,

Wow, you have replied to a very old discussion. Have you ever cleaned out your .dbx files?
Outlook Express stores email messages in databases that have a .dbx file extension. Each Outlook Express folder (even subfolders) has a database associated with it.The databases have the same name as the folders thus the inbox folder has a database called inbox.dbx. These files can become corrupt, or your "mailboxes" filled to capacity. Thus, OE might refuse to open. Perhaps that is the issue here.

 All of the databases are located in a root store or folder, the default location varies depending on the Operating system. You did not mention yours, but I am assuming that you are running Windows XP.

To find the location of your OE store:
1. Open Outlook Express
2. Click Tools> Options.
3. Click the Maintenance tab.
4. Click Store folder and the location appears.
 
Or do a search for *.dbx
In Windows XP the location is usually here: C:\Documents and Settings\ \Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{ }\Microsoft\ Outlook Express.

Provided Outlook Express is closed these files can be accessed and copied without any problems.  You may want to save these files to your desktop as a backup in case the following cleaning procedure does not work. An easy backup method is to copy the root folder and its contents to there (or anywhere you choose to save it)

After you have your backup, let's see if we can clean out that Inbox, With Outlook Express NOT RUNNING, Locate Inbox.dbx, delete it, exit back to your desktop, launch Outlook Express, and see what happens.
When OE is launched, Windows should rebuild the .dbx file you deleted. The Inbox will be empty now.

If that doesn't do the trick, with Outlook Express NOT RUNNING, on XP, navigate back to:
C:\Documents and Settings\ \Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{ }\Microsoft\ Outlook Express

Locate Folders.dbx, delete it, exit back to your desktop, launch OE, and see what happens. Most likely you will need to reset your OE preferences after doing either of these.