Outlook Express not Working in Windows XP – Top 10 Ways to Fix

Outlook Express is a discontinued email client from Microsoft, however, some people still use it with Windows XP. As the email is not supported by Microsoft anymore, it often malfunctions. That is the reason why many users complain that Outlook Express not working in Windows XP. To address the complaints of Outlook Express users, we have decided to share techniques of solving Outlook Express not opening in Windows XP problem. This post will let the user know multiple techniques of resolving OE not responding error. Before that, have a look at a related user query:

“A few days back, my OE stopped working. Till then, it was working fine and there was no issue whatsoever on the OE. I have restarted my system several times but it did not work. Tell me how can I solve this problem permanently.”

How to Resolve Outlook Express not Working in Windows XP

There are a number of workarounds to do if your Outlook Express is not working properly in Windows XP. In this section, we will provide you multiple methods to fix Outlook Express not responding. Users can try these techniques sequentially to solve their OE not functioning on Windows XP problem.

Technique 1: Restart Computer System

The first thing to do after facing this issue is to restart the computer. If you are lucky enough, Outlook express not responding will get fixed.

Technique 2: Close All Windows Application

In most of the cases, it is observed that user generally opens multiple applications at the same when accessing Outlook Express. Thus it may also result in an error like Outlook Express not working in Windows XP. Try closing all Windows program apart from Internet Explorer and of course, Outlook Express.

Technique 3: Delete Temporary Files or Clear Cache

Sometimes the temporary files also caused Outlook express not working in Windows XP. Try empty cache by following these steps.

• Delete Internet Temp Files to fix Outlook Express for Opening in Windows XP Error
• It is known to all that temp files can cause various applications not to respond. Depending on the IE version you are using, follow the instructions to delete Internet temporary files.
• IE 6 users should click on Tools and then Internet Options. Now, click Delete files option situated under Temporary Internet files panel. Select “Delete all offline content” and then OK. (Note: Temp files of Outlook Express will only get deleted after you remove the offline content.)
• IE 7 and 8 Users, Click on Tools >Delete Browsing History > Delete Files. Finally, click on Confirm.

Technique 4: Compact Outlook Express Folders

Compact Outlook Express folder to troubleshoot Outlook Express not responding in Windows XP.

• Compact Outlook Express Folders:
• Execute these steps to compact all Outlook Express Folders. Do not use your system until the process ends.
• Go to File menu and click on Work Offline option.
• Click on Outlook Express from the folder list to confirm that all email and news folders are closed.
• Shut down the folder list by clicking on the x icon.
• Again go to File menu, click on Folder>> Compact All Folders. In case any error occurs during compacting, close and re-open OE to repeat the process. If the error reoccurs, restart PC and try again.

Technique 5: Set Outlook Express as Default Email Client

Re-register Outlook Express as Default Email Which can be very useful in fixing Outlook Express not working in Windows XP.

• From Windows Explorer, press Windows and R together.
• Type msimn /reg in the box and click OK. (The process will not get displayed on the screen as it is a background process.
• Go to IE and click on Tools>> Options>> Programs tab. Select Outlook Express as the default email client.

Technique 6: Register Outlook Express DLL Library Files

Re-register Outlook Express DLL Library Files to Resolve Outlook Express not Responding Issue:

• Press Windows and R keys together.
• A box will appear where you have to type regsvr32 urlmon.dll and click on OK.
• Repeat the process by entering
  • regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
  • regsvr32 browseui.dll

Technique 7: Create New Outlook Express Identity

Generate New Identity on Outlook Express Will helps to fix Outlook Express stopped working Windows XP.

• Follow this method to move Outlook Express email and news accounts to transfer them to the new identity:
  • Go to Tools>> Accounts. Now click on Mail tab and then select the default Outlook Express account.
  • Click the Export button and select the destination folder of the file. Check if the exported file has got .iaf file extension. Repeat these steps for every email account.
  • Click on the News tab and repeat the process again. Once you are done with the entire export process, Click Close.
• Go to the File menu of OE and click on Identities>> New Identities.
• Enter a name for the Outlook Express new identity>> Click OK.
• Click on Yes button to move to the new identity you just created.
• Now click Cancel to close the wizard. If you are asked to import messages or OE settings, choose “Do not import at this time” option or select Cancel.
• Navigate to Tools and click on Accounts.
• Click Import and select .iaf file you have created in the very first step.
• Now import email messages from your old identity to the new one with these steps:
  • Open Outlook Express, click File>> Import>> Messages.
  • From the list, select Microsoft Outlook Express 6>> Next.
  • Select which identity to import and click on OK.

Technique 8: Repair Interner Explorer To Fix Outlook Express not Working in Windows XP

Repair Internet Explorer to fix Outlook Express not Opening in Windows XP

• Click on Start ribbon>> Run. Type sfc /scanNow and press Enter.
• Follow the prompts of System File Checker. After the process finishes, restart your system.

Technique 9: Reinstall Internet Explorer

Reinstall Internet Explorer if you use IE 6 to troubleshoot Outlook Express stopped working Windows XP.

• Click Start> Run. Type %systemroot%\inf in the box and Press Enter.
• Locate Ie.inf file in the \Inf folder and right click on it.
• Click on Install. After the process is completed, restarts the system.
• If reinstallation does not happen, repair Windows registry keys and try again.*How to Repair Registry Key
  • Press Windows + R and type Regedit in the box. Click OK.
  • Find out this registry key from the list:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
  • Select Installed and then change the value data from 1 to O in the right panel. Exit when you are done.

Technique 10: Upgrade to Internet Explorer

Upgrade or Reset Internet Explorer: If you are using Internet Explorer 6, you may consider upgrading to IE 7 or IE 8. If you have Internet Explorer 8 installed, reset it by these steps to fix Outlook Express not working in Windows XP:

• Launch Internet Explorer, go to Tools and then click on Internet Options.
• Select Advanced tab>> Reset. A dialog box will appear named Reset Internet Explorer Settings and click on Reset button again.

Technique 11: Installing New Windows Operating System

Reinstall Windows OS of your system.

Final Words

Outlook Express not working in Windows XP is a common problem among Windows XP users. As Outlook Express is an outdated email client, it is better if users switch from Outlook Express to Outlook. After migration, they can easily move all their OE data to Microsoft Outlook using Best DBX File Converter.