This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

You post from a machine running WinXP SP2. Is this the problem machine?

Is MS Office installed? Is MS Outlook (also) installed? If so, what version (e.g., Office/Outlook 2007 SP2) and do you use any Outlook functionality (e.g., Calendar)?

What updates were installed today (e.g., Office 2007 SP2; Office 2003 SP3; Outlook Junk Mail Filter; IE8)?

Reference:

Microsoft Outlook updates change the default mail handler to Microsoft Outlook
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#13

IN RE Set Program Access and Defaults: Only concern yourself with the configuration that's checked/selected (e.g., Custom). Once you've selected, e.g., OE and exited, your selection becomes your "current email program" when you double-check this setting again later (IIRC).

IN RE your #1: Your original identity may have been damaged. See caveats below. (Have all of your older messages gone missing?)

IN RE your #2: If you have more than 999 contacts, Address Book will appear to be empty/devoid of content. (Known-bug that will not be fixed.)

If sharing (Address Book) with Outlook is enabled, this could explain the extra contacts.

IN RE your #3: The inability to access Regedit could be the result of a hijackware infection, which might also explain some or all of the above.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

You post from a machine running WinXP SP2. Is this the problem machine?

Is MS Office installed? Is MS Outlook (also) installed? If so, what version (e.g., Office/Outlook 2007 SP2) and do you use any Outlook functionality (e.g., Calendar)?

What updates were installed today (e.g., Office 2007 SP2; Office 2003 SP3; Outlook Junk Mail Filter; IE8)?

Reference:

Microsoft Outlook updates change the default mail handler to Microsoft Outlook
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#13

IN RE Set Program Access and Defaults: Only concern yourself with the configuration that's checked/selected (e.g., Custom). Once you've selected, e.g., OE and exited, your selection becomes your "current email program" when you double-check this setting again later (IIRC).

IN RE your #1: Your original identity may have been damaged. See caveats below. (Have all of your older messages gone missing?)

IN RE your #2: If you have more than 999 contacts, Address Book will appear to be empty/devoid of content. (Known-bug that will not be fixed.)

If sharing (Address Book) with Outlook is enabled, this could explain the extra contacts.

IN RE your #3: The inability to access Regedit could be the result of a hijackware infection, which might also explain some or all of the above.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

This is the problem m/c.
MS Office (hardly ever used) is installed. I have just checked and Outlook is installed (presumably part of Office), although I must confess that I did not know that until I checked just now. It has never EVER been used by me, although the prospect is interesting as I understand the mail system can be networked. (my wife has to use this m/c rather than her own for email only in OE).
MS Office Pro 2003.
NO use of Outlook
Don't know the Updates - I let it instal all critical ones.Just checked - 2 updates as under:
Office 2003 Update for Microsoft Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB969376) 01 May 2009 Automatic Updates. This is shown as a green tick in status column.

Office 2003 Update for Microsoft Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB969376) 30 April 2009 Automatic Updates. This is shown as a small white cross in a red circular box, with a question mark alongside, so perhaps that is the culprit.

I hold my OE messages in a folder in a dedicated partition, and when this happened it was no problem for me to get back to this folder through tools\options\mtce\store folder. I have done this often and I am comfortable with this aspect. Likewise when the Address Book was changed, I expected just to go to Regedit and put in the correct Address folder. However as I stated, I cannot get Regedit (or Cmd) to run. Still not resolved.

Thanks for you interest. It would seem that I should remove the 2 updates shown above. How do I do that, as the updates are not shown separately in CP, Add/Remove Progs.

Sorry if I have not answered all the questions as I am still busy trying to get Regedit to work.

Thanks again

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message ...
You post from a machine running WinXP SP2. Is this the problem machine?

Is MS Office installed? Is MS Outlook (also) installed? If so, what version (e.g., Office/Outlook 2007 SP2) and do you use any Outlook functionality (e.g., Calendar)?

What updates were installed today (e.g., Office 2007 SP2; Office 2003 SP3; Outlook Junk Mail Filter; IE8)?

Reference:

Microsoft Outlook updates change the default mail handler to Microsoft Outlook
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#13

IN RE Set Program Access and Defaults: Only concern yourself with the configuration that's checked/selected (e.g., Custom). Once you've selected, e.g., OE and exited, your selection becomes your "current email program" when you double-check this setting again later (IIRC).

IN RE your #1: Your original identity may have been damaged. See caveats below. (Have all of your older messages gone missing?)

IN RE your #2: If you have more than 999 contacts, Address Book will appear to be empty/devoid of content. (Known-bug that will not be fixed.)

If sharing (Address Book) with Outlook is enabled, this could explain the extra contacts.

IN RE your #3: The inability to access Regedit could be the result of a hijackware infection, which might also explain some or all of the above.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

This is the problem m/c.
MS Office (hardly ever used) is installed. I have just checked and Outlook is installed (presumably part of Office), although I must confess that I did not know that until I checked just now. It has never EVER been used by me, although the prospect is interesting as I understand the mail system can be networked. (my wife has to use this m/c rather than her own for email only in OE).
MS Office Pro 2003.
NO use of Outlook
Don't know the Updates - I let it instal all critical ones.Just checked - 2 updates as under:
Office 2003 Update for Microsoft Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB969376) 01 May 2009 Automatic Updates. This is shown as a green tick in status column.

Office 2003 Update for Microsoft Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB969376) 30 April 2009 Automatic Updates. This is shown as a small white cross in a red circular box, with a question mark alongside, so perhaps that is the culprit.

I hold my OE messages in a folder in a dedicated partition, and when this happened it was no problem for me to get back to this folder through tools\options\mtce\store folder. I have done this often and I am comfortable with this aspect. Likewise when the Address Book was changed, I expected just to go to Regedit and put in the correct Address folder. However as I stated, I cannot get Regedit (or Cmd) to run. Still not resolved.

Thanks for you interest. It would seem that I should remove the 2 updates shown above. How do I do that, as the updates are not shown separately in CP, Add/Remove Progs.

Sorry if I have not answered all the questions as I am still busy trying to get Regedit to work.

Thanks again

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message ...
You post from a machine running WinXP SP2. Is this the problem machine?

Is MS Office installed? Is MS Outlook (also) installed? If so, what version (e.g., Office/Outlook 2007 SP2) and do you use any Outlook functionality (e.g., Calendar)?

What updates were installed today (e.g., Office 2007 SP2; Office 2003 SP3; Outlook Junk Mail Filter; IE8)?

Reference:

Microsoft Outlook updates change the default mail handler to Microsoft Outlook
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#13

IN RE Set Program Access and Defaults: Only concern yourself with the configuration that's checked/selected (e.g., Custom). Once you've selected, e.g., OE and exited, your selection becomes your "current email program" when you double-check this setting again later (IIRC).

IN RE your #1: Your original identity may have been damaged. See caveats below. (Have all of your older messages gone missing?)

IN RE your #2: If you have more than 999 contacts, Address Book will appear to be empty/devoid of content. (Known-bug that will not be fixed.)

If sharing (Address Book) with Outlook is enabled, this could explain the extra contacts.

IN RE your #3: The inability to access Regedit could be the result of a hijackware infection, which might also explain some or all of the above.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

hi
"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

hi
"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please

Most of this OE behavior is well-known.

You needn't remove KB969376 (the May version superseded the April version) but you should be able to uninstall it via Add/Remove Programs). Since you don't use Outlook (OL) or Calendar, why not Remove it from your install of Office 2003 SP3?

NB: Even if you Remove OL, Microsoft Update/Automatic Updates will continue to offer OL updates. Installing any of them may cause OL to be made the default Mail Client again. There are two ways to avoid this:

1. Change your AU setting to the Notify Only option. When AU offers an Outlook update, decline and "hide" it.

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

2. Change your default update source from Microsoft Update to Windows Update: Go to Microsoft Update website | Click on Change Settings in left pane | Scroll to bottom of page | To Stop Using Microsoft Update | Disable Microsoft Update software and let me use Windows Update only (check).

With Windows Update as your default, you will need to check-in at Office Update periodically to keep your Office applications fully patched: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/do...incatalog.aspx When you do so, decline to install any OL updates.

"What are the differences between Windows Updates, Automatic Updates, and Microsoft Updates? While Windows Update provides you with updates specifically for Windows, Microsoft Update expands the service to download and install updates for other Microsoft software, such as Microsoft Office and Windows Live. Automatic updating is a feature that allows you to set your PC to automatically download and install updates using either service, making it easy and convenient for you to keep your Windows PC current." (Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...pdate/FAQ.mspx)

Again, your Regedit issue may not be related to having installed OL updates. All the same, you should investigate its cause ASAP.
--
~PA Bear


"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This is the problem m/c.
MS Office (hardly ever used) is installed. I have just checked and Outlook is installed (presumably part of Office), although I must confess that I did not know that until I checked just now. It has never EVER been used by me, although the prospect is interesting as I understand the mail system can be networked. (my wife has to use this m/c rather than her own for email only in OE).
MS Office Pro 2003.
NO use of Outlook
Don't know the Updates - I let it instal all critical ones.Just checked - 2 updates as under:
Office 2003 Update for Microsoft Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB969376) 01 May 2009 Automatic Updates. This is shown as a green tick in status column.

Office 2003 Update for Microsoft Outlook 2003 Junk Email Filter (KB969376) 30 April 2009 Automatic Updates. This is shown as a small white cross in a red circular box, with a question mark alongside, so perhaps that is the culprit.

I hold my OE messages in a folder in a dedicated partition, and when this happened it was no problem for me to get back to this folder through tools\options\mtce\store folder. I have done this often and I am comfortable with this aspect. Likewise when the Address Book was changed, I expected just to go to Regedit and put in the correct Address folder. However as I stated, I cannot get Regedit (or Cmd) to run. Still not resolved.

Thanks for you interest. It would seem that I should remove the 2 updates shown above. How do I do that, as the updates are not shown separately in CP, Add/Remove Progs.

Sorry if I have not answered all the questions as I am still busy trying to get Regedit to work.

Thanks again

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
You post from a machine running WinXP SP2. Is this the problem machine?

Is MS Office installed? Is MS Outlook (also) installed? If so, what version (e.g., Office/Outlook 2007 SP2) and do you use any Outlook functionality (e.g., Calendar)?

What updates were installed today (e.g., Office 2007 SP2; Office 2003 SP3; Outlook Junk Mail Filter; IE8)?

Reference:

Microsoft Outlook updates change the default mail handler to Microsoft Outlook
http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#13

IN RE Set Program Access and Defaults: Only concern yourself with the configuration that's checked/selected (e.g., Custom). Once you've selected, e.g., OE and exited, your selection becomes your "current email program" when you double-check this setting again later (IIRC).

IN RE your #1: Your original identity may have been damaged. See caveats below. (Have all of your older messages gone missing?)

IN RE your #2: If you have more than 999 contacts, Address Book will appear to be empty/devoid of content. (Known-bug that will not be fixed.)

If sharing (Address Book) with Outlook is enabled, this could explain the extra contacts.

IN RE your #3: The inability to access Regedit could be the result of a hijackware infection, which might also explain some or all of the above.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


General OE Caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

"atandhmb" wrote in message ...
This computer for several years has only used Outlook Express as mail handler.
Today (happened before), following Microsoft updates:
On opening OE I got following message:

"OE is not currently your default mail client. Would you like to make it your default mail client?
(tick) Always perform this check when starting Outlook Express"

In the past I have ticked this and opted for OE. This time I opted and didn't tick.
(Note: I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults". This was set at Custom. Among other things I changed the mail client from "Use my current email program" to "Outlook Express". The change was accepted OK and change activity was shown on screen, but when I opened "Set Program Access and Defaults" again it had reverted back to "Use my current email program. Seems strange that it doesn't accept OE. Perhaps this is because I have set as "Custom")

1 Message folder reverted to C:\Docs & Settings\Admin\............................\Micros oft\Outlook Express. In addition today's Inbox filled with new message. My OE doesn't download on opening so even that was ignored.
2 Address Book also changed to MS default.
3 Regedit won't run (to change Address Book back). Nor will Command.
Although I have fixed the Message folder, I have not yet fixed the Address Book because of the Regedit problem.
The change to defaults of the Message Folder and Address Book has happened following the last 3 MS updates, although this is the first time Regedit (and others) refused to run.
There have not been any changes to this computer for some time apart from MS Updates.
Help please