Despite common belief, Microsoft Outlook Express is not simply a "stripped down" version of the more feature rich Microsoft Outlook. The two programs do not share a codebase although their architecture is similar. Unfortunately though, one feature Outlook Express does share with it's more powerful stablemate is the fragility of it's data. As many users know, it's all too easy to accidentally or unknowingly damage or corrupt Outlook Express emails or the data stored in the DBX (.dbx) database.

Stellar Phoenix have been recovering data since 1993 and are world leaders in Integrated Data Recovery Systems. Extensive knowledge and experience led to the development of Stellar Outlook Express Recovery enabling users suffering from any one of a number of data related issues to quickly, safely and easily recover their lost, damaged or corrupted emails, .dbx or .mbx data from Microsoft Outlook Express.

Sometimes however, a basic "repair" of Outlook Express can be enough to overcome some of the more common problems. Following these simple steps can resolve any number of problems resulting from improperly closed files, memory corruption, and damage to system files. If after trying the methods describe in this article you find you are still having problems then DOWNLOAD a copy of Stellar Outlook Express Recovery.

Restart your computer

Sounds silly but sometimes something as basic as a restart is enough to clear memory problems and cache issues and reset temporary files

Close all other programs and applications

Leave Outlook Express and Internet Explorer running but make sure all other applications are closed. This will free up your computer's resources for the steps ahead and also ensure they do not interfere with the repair process.

Delete your Temporary Internet Files

Every time you display a message in Outlook Express, a temporary file is created that helps Outlook Express to display the contents of the message. Each one of these files is stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder that is used by Internet Explorer. Occasionally, files in this directory can become damaged and that can cause Outlook Express to exhibit strange symptoms when viewing a message. All the files in this directory really are temporary so there is no harm in deleting them. You are in no danger of deleting your actual messages in Outlook Express itself.

1. In Internet Explorer click Internet Options in the Tools menu.
2. In the Temporary Internet Files panel, click Delete Files.
3. In the pop-up alert box, select the Remove all offline files check box and then click OK

Compact all your folders

Much of the strange behavior in Outlook Express is caused by small errors in the file "Folders.dbx". This file contains the master index of your messages and folders so damage here will result in all sorts of weird happenings such as the wrong message or folder being displayed. By compacting all your folders, you force Outlook Express to update this master index file. If you do perform this simple preventative maintenance task periodically, you will likely see some distinctly strange behavior at some point.

1. To ensure no new messages arrive while the compaction process is running, select Work Offline from the File menu.
2. In the Folder List, click on Outlook Express so that no folder is open or email message is displayed.
3. Close the Folder List by clicking the X in the upper right corner of the list panel. Alternatively you can select Layout from the View menu and then deselect the Folder List checkbox.
4. In the File menu, point to Folder and then click Compact All Folders. It's best to avoid using your computer until the process is complete which can take some time depending on the size of your database.

If you receive any errors during this process, close Outlook Express, relaunch the application and start the process again from the beginning. If the error persists, close Outlook Express again, restart your computer, open Outlook Express and start the process again.

Re-register your libraries

Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) are files that contain functions that are sometimes used by other programs, such as recognizing hyperlinks, displaying content etc. These following DLLs are all accessed by Outlook Express and can cause display problems if they are damaged. Reregistering a DLL using regsvr32 is similar to reinstalling these functions and therefore makes sure they are installed and working correctly.

1. Select the Start menu and then select Run.
2. In the Open dialogue box, type regsvr32 urlmon.dll and then click OK
3. Repeat these steps for each of the following:
• regsvr32 mshtml.dll
• regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
• regsvr32 browseui.dll
• regsvr32 msjava.dll

Create a new Identity

If the steps above have so far failed to cure your problems then proceed to the steps outlined below to create a new Indentity in Outlook Express. This will create a new Message Store folder as well as all new Registry keys.

1. First, you need to Export your email and news accounts from Outlook Express so that you can re-import them into the new identity:
1. Select Accounts in the Outlook Express Tools menu.
2. Select the Mail tab and select the default account.
3. Select the Export button and choose a location for the exported file. Make sure the extension remains “.iaf” (for Internet Account File).
4. Repeat steps 1.2 and 1.3 for all accounts.
5. Select the News tab and repeat steps 1.3 and 1.4 for all accounts.
6. After all mail and news accounts have been exported, click Close.
2. In the File menu, select Identities and then click Add New Identity.
3. Type a name for the new Identity, and then click OK
4. Click Yes to switch to the new Identity.
5. Click Cancel to close the New Account wizard. If you are prompted to import settings or messages, select “Do not import at this time” or Cancel.
6. Select Accounts on the Tools menu.
7. Click the Import button and select the first *.iaf file from step 1. Repeat until all accounts have been imported.
8. Import the mail messages from your old Identity.
1. In the File menu, select Import and then select Messages.
2. Select Microsoft Outlook Express from the list of programs, and then click Next.
3. Select the name of the Identity to import and then click OK

Recover & repair Outlook Express

If you have worked your way through the steps outlined above, by now you have repaired the most common faults in Outlook Express. If you are still experiencing problems though then it's time to recover your precious emails and other data and repair the Outlook Express data files themselves. Because both Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are integrated into Windows itself, doing so is a little more complicated than for most programs. Stellar Phoenix however has designed and developed Stellar Outlook Express Recovery to make the entire process as simple as 1, 2, 3....

1. Browse for any corrupt .dbx file
2. Scan the damaged .dbx file with Stellar Outlook Express Recovery
3. Save the newly created .dbx file to an easy-to-find location

Stellar Outlook Express Recovery will provide complete and total recovery of damaged or corrupted emails and DBX files. The intensive scanning method utilized to extract the data from the damaged file is non-destructive ensuring risk-free repair of your precious data. Once recovered, Stellar Outlook Express Recovery will then save the repaired data to a new destination leaving the original data untouched and in place.

So why not DOWNLOAD A FREE DEMO copy of Stellar Outlook Express Recovery today and see for yourself how quick and painless restoring your damaged or corrupted Microsoft Outlook Express emails and DBX files can be. Your demo will allow you to scan your emails and databases and preview all files that can be recovered providing you with the opportunity to discover why Stellar Phoenix are the world leaders in Integrated Data Recovery Solutions.

Download for WINDOWS

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