Steps to try

Labels: General, Troubleshoot

Probably not

The following method works only on PSTs, when it works.

Things to remember:

This works under very limited circumstances

• If the PST has begun compacting, it will likely fail
  
• You're better off NOT emptying the deleted folder until you are sure you won't need the messages
  
• Don't store messages in the folder unless you are sure the messages are trash
  
• If, for some stupid reason you move items to the deleted folder and change your mind after emptying the Deleted Items folder, you may be able to recover the messages under very specific conditions.

Labels: Delete, General, PST, Tips, Troubleshoot

Office 2003 redo

1. 1. Start any Office 2003 program.
   
2. On Help menu, click Detect and Repair.
   
   
   
   
3. Click to select the Discard my customized settings and restore default settings check box, and then click Start.
   
4. Quit the application, and then click Ignore.
   
5. Click OK when you receive the following message:
   Reset of setting to default succeed.

Labels: Tips, Troubleshoot

Don't let Outlook stop you

Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002 and Outlook 2000 SP3 allow the user to use a registry key to open up access to blocked attachments. (Always make a backup before editing the registry.) To use this key:

1. Run Regedit, and go to this key:
   
   

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Security 

   
   (change 10.0 to 9.0 for Outlook 2000 SP3,11.0 for Outlook 2003, 12.0 for Outlook 2007)
2. Under that key, add a new string value named Level1Remove.
   
   
3. For the value for Level1Remove, enter a semicolon-delimited list of file extensions. For example, entering this:
   
   

   .mdb;.url

   
   would unblock Microsoft Access files and Internet shortcuts. Note that the use of a leading dot was not previously required, however, new security patches may require it. If you are using "mdb;url" format and extensions are blocked, add a dot to each extension.
   Note also that there is not a space between extensions.

 

If you are using this registry entry, a glance at Help>About Microsoft Outlook will show Security Mode: User Controlled above the license information.
After applying this registry fix or using one of the above tools, the user still has to save the attached file to a system drive before opening it. In effect, the fix rolls the attachment behavior back to Outlook 2000 SR-1, with its included Attachment Security Fix.
An end-user cannot bypass this "save to disk" behavior and open the file directly from the mail message, though an Exchange administrator can.

Labels: Access, Send, Tips, Troubleshoot

How to read the code

"This document is intended to provide a comprehensive introduction to the behavior of email headers.

It is primarily intended to help victims of unsolicited email ("email spam") attempting to determine the real source of the (generally forged) email that plagues them; it should also help in attempts to understand any other forged email.
It may also be beneficial to readers interested in a general-purpose introduction to mail transfer on the Internet. "

"The ability to read and decipher email headers is a useful skill to learn for tracing messages to their original source and diagnosing many other problems. Headers may contain a lot of information but the most important information will always be contained in every email header."

Labels: General, Spam, Troubleshoot

Keep the bots at bay

"Spam is an incredible problem and it is getting worse - your e-mail address is a commodity and if you put it on a web page, it WILL eventually be found, spammed and sold to other spammers. The problem is that you have a web page and you need to make it possible for people to send you e-mail from your page but you don't want to get bombarded with spam - what can you do?

First you need to understand what is likely to happen. The most likely scenario is that an e-mail harvesting robot will find your page and look though it trying to find e-mail addresses. This robot may be programmed to look for a particular list of possible characters on either side of the @ in your e-mail address or it may look for the "mailto:" in your e-mail link or any number of other tricks."

<script language="JavaScript">
<!-- Begin user = "myaddress"; domain = "mydomain"; document.write('<a href="\">');
document.write(user + '@' + domain + '</a>');
// End -->
</script>
<noscript>
Here goes some text that can be seen if Javascript is disabled.
</noscript>

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot, Tutorials

Avoid the warning

"A program is trying to automatically send e-mail on your behalf. Do you want to allow this?"

. . ."a tiny program that sits in the taskbar and clicks the Yes button on behalf of you, when Outlook's Security Guard opens prompt dialog saying that a program is trying to send an email with Outlook or access its address book. You can suspend/resume it by double-clicking its taskbar icon. Developers can automate its behavior by sending special messages."

Labels: Addins, Tips, Troubleshoot

Free toolkit

"If you can't open your Personal Folders file (.pst) or your Offline Folder file (.ost), or you suspect that your .pst or .ost data file is corrupt, you can use the Inbox Repair tool (Scanpst.exe), to diagnose and repair errors in the file.

1. Quit Microsoft Outlook if it's running.
   
   
2. Double-click Scanpst.exe, located at drive:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\LocaleID folder - where LocaleID is the locale identifier (LCID) for the installation of Microsoft Office. The LCID for English - United States is 1033.
   
   
3. In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, enter the name of the .pst or .ost file that you want to check, or click Browse to look for the file.
   
   
4. To specify scan log options, click Options, and then click the option you want.
   
   
5. Click Start.
   
   
6. When the scanning is completed, and if errors were found, you will be prompted to start the repair process.
   
   
7. To change the name or location of the backup file created during the repair process, in the Enter name of backup file box, enter a new name, or click Browse to look for the file.
   
   
8. Click Repair.
   
   
9. Start Outlook using the profile that contains the .pst file that you tried to repair.
   
   
10. On the Go menu, click Folder List.

In the Folder List, you may see a Recovered Personal Folders folder containing default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. The recovered folders are usually empty, because this is a rebuilt .pst file. The Lost and Found folder contains folders and items that the Inbox Repair tool recovered. Items that are missing from the Lost and Found folder cannot be repaired.

If you see a Recovered Personal Folders folder, you can create a new .pst file, and then drag the items in the Lost and Found folder into the new .pst file. When you have finished moving all items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file, including the Lost and Found folder, from your profile."

Use the Inbox Repair tool

Recover e-mail messages in Outlook 2002, 2003, 2007

Slipstick.com:
To repair a damaged Personal Folders PST file



See all Topics

outlook

Labels: PST, Troubleshoot

Get over the attachment

"Many of the most common computer viruses and other malicious software are spread through e-mail attachments. If a file attached to an e-mail message contains a virus, it's often launched when you open the file attachment. No matter what e-mail program you use or what version of Windows you're running, you can help avoid some viruses by following a few basic rules. If you use the latest version of Outlook or Outlook Express and if you use the latest version of Windows, there are a few unique enhancements and default settings to help keep you from accidentally infecting your computer with a virus.

• 5 tips for dealing with e-mail attachments
  
• Dealing with e-mail attachments in Microsoft Outlook
  
• Dealing with e-mail attachments in Outlook Express"

Help avoid computer viruses that spread through e-mail

Also:

Microsoft video:
Defending against viruses and worms

Slipstick.com:
Protecting Microsoft Outlook against Viruses
Viruses Affecting Microsoft Outlook

Labels: General, Spam, Troubleshoot, Virus

Why does it do that?

"All the e-mail messages that you receive go through an e-mail server for your e-mail account. Depending on the type of e-mail account that you use, your e-mail messages are processed in one or more of the following ways.

1. Messages remain on the server. Outlook connects to the server, and you can read or delete your messages.
   
2. Messages are downloaded to a local data file called a Personal Folders file (.pst). Outlook connects to the local .pst file so that you can read and delete your messages.
   
3. Copies of messages are downloaded and synchronized with messages on the e-mail server. Microsoft Exchange Server accounts provide this functionality by creating a local Offline Folder file (.ost). This file is used for working offline when you can't connect or don't want to connect to the e-mail server. This file is also used by the Cached Exchange Mode feature in Outlook 2003.

E-mail account types differ in how e-mail messages are saved and synchronized with the e-mail server. For example, by default POP3 e-mail accounts delete e-mail messages from the e-mail server when downloaded into Outlook. However, you can customize how e-mail messages are retrieved and saved."

POP3 e-mail accounts

When you retrieve e-mail messages from a POP3 ( Post Office Protocol. A common protocol that is used to retrieve e-mail messages from an Internet e-mail server.) e-mail account, the messages are deleted from the e-mail server by default after they are downloaded to your computer. For many people, this works great.

However, if you want to check your e-mail from multiple computers, you must configure Outlook to not delete the messages on your e-mail server. This scenario is most common for people who want to check their home Internet service provider (ISP) e-mail account from work and download the messages for permanent storage on their home computer.

When you leave messages on your e-mail server, you can choose from several options to delete your messages. To make your choice, you need to consider several factors about your e-mail usage, such as how long you want the messages to be accessible from multiple computers and the storage limits imposed by your e-mail server administrator. If you exceed your storage limit, you might be unable to receive new messages or might be charged additional fees. Typically, it is best to have one computer set to the default setting that doesn't leave e-mail messages on the e-mail server. When you use the computer to retrieve your e-mail messages, they are downloaded and deleted from the e-mail server. If you choose not to do this, Outlook allows you to select a time duration for leaving e-mail messages on the server.

Also:
Wikipedia.com:
POP3

IMAP e-mail accounts

When you access an IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) e-mail account, your messages are copied locally. However, the messages also remain on the e-mail server until you mark them for deletion and use the Purge Deleted Items command.

Also:

HTTP e-mail accounts

When you access an HTTP e-mail account, such as MSN Hotmail, your messages are saved on the e-mail server until you delete them.

Also:
Free email providers

Exchange Server e-mail accounts

When you access an Exchange Server e-mail account, your messages are saved on the e-mail server until you delete them.

Also:
Slipstick.com:
Exchange Server
MS Exchange.org

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot

Don't Alt-Tab

Slipstick.com:

"Get in the habit of minimizing Outlook 2003 rather than just using Alt-Tab or a Windows task bar button to switch to another program. If you leave the full Outlook 2003 window active, it may use so much memory that it stops responding"

"While Outlook 2003 is running, it periodically pages memory in and out of the process address space. When the memory that is free is large, Outlook 2003 is permitted to have more pages in memory. This increases the memory that is being used by Outlook 2003. If another application requires memory, Outlook will release memory.

When you minimize the Outlook 2003 program window, the pages are switched so that the pages that are not required for user interaction are switched out of memory. When you maximize the Outlook 2003 program window again, the pages that are used for user interaction are switched in to memory, and the memory usage begins to increase again.

This could happen when working with a large .pst or .ost file as well as other actions within Outlook."

Labels: Troubleshoot

When all else fails

• Confirm that your e-mail server settings are correct
  
• Examine the configuration of your firewall software
  
• Check your antivirus vendor's Web site for additional suggestions
  
• Determine whether your modem is functioning correctly
  
• Verify the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size that is set on your router
  
• Remove and then reinstall Outlook Express
  
• Create a new e-mail profile
  
• Delete suspicious messages from your mailbox

G4TV.com:
Troubleshoot Microsoft Outlook Problems
written by Chris Pirillo

Microsoft TechNet:
Troubleshooting Outlook Web Access

Microsoft Office Online:
Microsoft Office Outlook 2007

Slipstick.com:
Mail Issues with Microsoft Outlook



See all Topics

outlook

Labels: Troubleshoot

Words from the wise

The suggestions come from Slipstick.com, so you know they're good.

The publication is available both as an e-mail newsletter and with RSS distribution.




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outlook

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot, Tutorials

Investigative techniques

"The High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA) is designed to encourage, promote, aid and effect the voluntary interchange of data, information, experience, ideas and knowledge about methods, processes, and techniques relating to investigations and security in advanced technologies among its membership."

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot, Tutorials

Error warning

Here are other ways to do it:

In the following selections, you should know that The URL:Mailto Protocol is located at the top of the list proceeded by (None), not at the bottom with the other U's.

Microsoft KB;
The Locate Link Browser dialog box
appears when you open a Web link in an e-mail message in Outlook 2003

To resolve this problem, follow these steps to clear the Use DDE check box:

1. Double-click My Computer.
   
2. On the View menu, click Folder Options (or Tools>Folder Options).
   
3. On the File Types tab, click URL:MailTo Protocol in the Registered File Types list, and then click Edit.
   
4. In the Actions box, click Open, and then click Edit.
   
5. Click to remove the Use DDE check box, and then click OK.
   
6. Click Close two times.

1. OpenExplorer
   
2. Select Tools and then Folder Options
   
3. Select the File Types tab
   
4. Select Extension: (NONE), File Type: URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol
   
5. Click Advanced toward the bottom of the window
   
6. In the Edit File Type window, select open and click Edit
   
7. Clear the check for DDE above the DDE message box (which should contain "%1" or similar)
   
8. Click OK, Click OK

Labels: Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot

Inside Outlook Express
Help, tips and technical information for Microsoft Outlook Express

Outlook Express
E-mail and Newsgroup Reader

Learn how to use Outlook Express to stay in touch with friends and family, and share information in newsgroups with other users like you.

Latest News

Knowledge base articles
Collected by
Jim Pickering MS-MVP

Repair Outlook Express

Outlook Mail Recovery

Mail-Repair.com



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outlook

Labels: General, Tips, Troubleshoot

Possible Vista trouble

Sometimes when Vista is installed over XP and Office 2003, there is a problem setting Outlook as the email system.

Vista wants to use Microsoft Mail.

One solution is to reinstall Office 2003, but first try this:

1. Make sure that Outlook is not running.
   
   
2. Click Start, type %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office11 in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
   
   
3. Locate and then right-click Outlook.exe, and then click Run as Administrator.
   
   
4. Click Yes to set Outlook as the default e-mail client.
   
   
5. Exit Outlook.

Labels: Troubleshoot

Call me Ishmael

Microsoft Outlook maintains a nickname list that is used by both the automatic name checking and the automatic completion features. The nickname list is automatically generated as you use Outlook.
If the nickname cache is corrupted, Outlook may not be able to identify recipients, may offer incorrect recipients when automatically completing the e-mail address, or may send the message to the wrong person. You may also, just want to reset the whole list.

1. Quit Outlook.
   
2. Start Windows Explorer.
   
3. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
   
4. Under Advanced Settings, click to select the Show hidden files and folders check box.
   
5. Click OK.
   
6. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
   
7. In the Search for Files or Folders box, type *.NK2 in the File Name box.
   
8. In the Look In box, click to select your local hard disk.
   
9. Click Search Now.
   
10. Right-click the .NK2 file with the name of the profile that you want to reset, and then click Rename.
    
11. Rename the file to yourname.bak, and then press ENTER.
    
12. Quit Windows Explorer.
    
13. Restart Outlook.
    

Outlook will generate a new nickname cache.

Knowlegebase Article 287623

Slipstick.com:
Name Resolution

Microsoft KB:
How to remove corrupted names in nickname list in Outlook.
Microsoft Outlook 2000, 98, 97



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outlook

Labels: Tips, Troubleshoot

Sent mail vanishes

Labels: Troubleshoot

A Solution

Some are having problems with using Outlook 2003 to access Hotmail accounts using the HTTP protocol.

It keeps asking for your password.

If you have recently upgraded to Internet Explorer version 7, here is an article that should help. Scroll to the bottom to find the Windows XP download.

Authentication fails when you use Outlook to log on to a HTTP-based mail server if you use Internet Explorer version 7.0



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outlook

Labels: Troubleshoot