Err Msg: Address Book Failed To Load, Outlook Express Is...

• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Outlook Express, you may receive the following error message:

Address book failed to load, Outlook Express is incorrectly configured.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the registry values for Outlook Express and the Windows Address Book are set incorrectly.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).


To resolve this behavior, uninstall Outlook Express, remove 3 keys from the registry, and then reinstall Outlook Express. To do so, use the following steps:

1. Uninstall Outlook Express. To do so, use the appropriate method:
   
   

   
      Windows 95-Based Computer
      -------------------------
   
      a. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then
         double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   
      b. Click Microsoft Outlook Express, click Add/Remove, and then click
         Yes.
   
      Windows 98-Based Computer
      -------------------------
   
      a. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then
         double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   
      b. Click the Windows Setup tab, click the Microsoft Outlook Express
         check box to clear it, and then click OK. 




2. Use Registry Editor to remove the following registry keys:
   
   

   
       - HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express
       - HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\WAB
       - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WAB 

1. Reinstall Outlook Express. To do so, use the appropriate method:
   
   

   
      Windows 95
      ----------
   
      a. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then
         double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   
      b. Click Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, and then click Add/Remove.
   
      c. In the Internet Explorer 4.0 Active Setup box, click "Add a
         component to Internet Explorer", and then click OK. When you are
         prompted for Internet Explorer to check for components that are
         already installed, click Yes.
   
      d. Click Outlook Express, and then click Next.
   
      e. Click a download site, click Install Now, and then follow the
         instructions on the screen to finish the installation.
   
      Windows 98
      ----------
   
      a. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then
         double-click Add/Remove Programs.
   
      b. Click the Windows Setup tab, click the Microsoft Outlook Express
         check box to select it, and then click OK. 

Additional query words: 4.00

Keywords          : kberrmsg outexw95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: May 7, 1999