Is it safe to remove Outlook Express from Windows XP SP3?

I detest Outlook Express, I consider it unsafe and have installed what I consider a safer mail reader, Mozilla Thunderbird. I have used add/remove programs to "delete" it, although it's still present. (For example, I had to change the default program for opening .eml file types from OE to thunderbird. When I attempted to open an archived email OE popped up again. The noise you hear in the distance is me, screaming and swearing.)

Now, given that I have tweaked my system so that, for all intents OE is gone, the question I am asking is: Is it safe to totally remove OE? I have found several sites which list extreme steps that can be taken to grind it off my computer, but I am unwilling to take these steps unless and until I am sure I will not damage my "beloved" windows OS. (Yes, I hate windows. I'm stuck with it for the time being, I use several programs {read -games} which are not Linux compatible.)

Joe Bonnar

 

It's part of the OS and you can remove the component in Add/Remove so it should not bother you much *grins* I never see it on XP so not sure why yours keeps popping up all over the place.

 

check your programs in your C: drive and see if its still in there.

 

Thanks, Cat.

I have done what you suggested. The reason it came back is that it is used as the default file type to open saved email files. (The .eml extension.) The first time I opened an archived email file, the system fired OE up and it began the OE configuration wizard. This was after I thought I had uninstalled it. Add/remove programs and the Add/remove windows components were both telling me it was gone.

A little web research told me that, even though it's been removed from the start menu and so on, the program still lives on my computer. It's not DOING anything right now, but I would prefer it be totally gone from disk, registry, and my life.

 

As Cat_w_9_lives said, if you get the add/remove programs window open from the control panel, and then click on add/remove windows components, and then click on "Add/remove windows components", then find Outlook Express in the list, then uncheck the box next to it, and (last step, phew!) then click on OK, then windows should remove it for you.

This will not harm your OS as everything in the list is non-critical, or Microsoft would not allow you to remove it.

 

You can always get Outlook Express 6 back again. Here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307295/en-us
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/oerepair.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378/en-us

 

Hi Joe,

I can see you really don't like OE but as you said a extreme removal could result in your "beloved OS" giving you an extreme outcome... not worth it IMO. Also, since you posted here you know following a guide on the net that's not from a trusted source usually ends up in disaster. I would just let OE be since you've got it under control now and it won't pop up to remind you its there *smiles*

@ Collins, thank you for detailed instructions, I was amiss. *smiles*

@ Cordialis, OP words: detest OE, screaming, swearing, grind it off my computer *grins* Joe will be reinstalling anytime soon.

 

Actually, that "removal" procedure does not remove OE program files, it merely removes it from the Programs menu and removes any desktop shortcuts/icons, thus making it appear to be removed. This is indicated by the fact that the Add/Remove Windows Components panel shows no change in free/used hard drive space by uninstalling OE. If program files were actually being removed, then some impact on drive space would be indicated.

To actually remove OE program files, see To manually remove Outlook Express. I would not do this because I see some risk in doing it, but the decision is yours.

If I wanted to not see or use OE, I would simply "uninstall" it via the Add/Remove Windows Components panel and leave it at that. In other words, if you don't want to use OE, simply don't use it. But, there's no need to go into manually removing files.

 

I never had a problem re-moveing Outlook Express my computer ran just fine with out it.It my be part of the OS system but it really is not part of the os it's just another program that most people dont whant on there pc.You can safely remove it.It do's not have any effect on the computer.

I usely go through the Add/Remove program to get rid of it and make sure that the program folder is gone to.It's in the C: drive or what ever you are useing as your OS drive.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks to all who responded.

I have decided to leave things be for the while; I did a little testing on an old and very well used box and, when I followed the steps recommended (this was from the Microsoft knowledge base, by the way), without reinstalling OE the results were disconcerting. (Random crashes and blue screens, freezing, and so on.) Once I reinstalled OE the problems slowed down, but only a complete OS reinstall removed them.

I have no real impact now from OE, other than the very small amount of HD that it takes up. Once my favorite games show up on a Linux platform, or once I find a windows emulator for my games that is relativly free, I'll dump Windows and put up a real OS.

Joe Bonnar