Error Message: Wab.exe Is Linked to Missing Export Advapi32.dll

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The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Outlook Express versions 4.0, 4.01 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2, 2.1, 2.5
• Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the Windows Address Book (WAB) in Outlook Express, you may receive the following error message:

   Wab.exe is Linked to Missing Export Advapi32.dll

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the Advapi32.dll file is the incorrect version or is damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method:

Windows 95

Extract a new copy of the Advapi32.dll file from the Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01 Ie4_s1.cab cabinet file to the Windows\System folder. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Restart Windows 95, press the F8 key when you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, and then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

2. Rename the Advapi32.dll file in the Windows\System folder to Advapi32.old by typing the following line and then pressing ENTER

         ren <drive>:\<windows>\system\advapi32.dll advapi32.old
   

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the Windows folder is located, and <windows> is the name of the folder in which Windows is installed. For example:

         ren c:\windows\system\advapi32.dll advapi32.old
   

   NOTE: This procedure assumes you do not have a file named Advapi32.old. If you do have a file by this name, use a file name extension that is not currently in use.

3. Type the following line, and then press ENTER

         extract <drive>:<path>ie4_s1.cab /l <drive2>:<path2>
   

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01 Setup files are located, <path> is the path to the folder in which the Internet Explorer 4.0 or 4.01 Setup files are located, <drive2> is the drive letter to which to extract the Ie4_1.cab file, and <path2> is the path to the folder to which to extract the Ie4_1.cab file. For example:

         extract c:\intern~1.0se\ie4_s1.cab /l c:\intern~1.0se
   

4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER

         extract <drive>:<path>advapi32.dll /l <drive2>:\<windows>\system
   

   where <drive> is the drive letter on which the Ie4_1.cab file is located, <path> is the path to the folder in which the Ie4_1.cab file is located, <drive2> is the drive on which Windows is installed, and <path2> is the location of the Windows\System folder. For example:

         extract c:\intern~1.0se\ie4_1.cab advapi32.dll /l c:\windows\system
   

5. Restart your computer.

Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2)

Extract a new copy of the Advapi32.dll file from your original Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) CD-ROM to the Windows\System folder. The Advapi32.dll file is located in the Win95_17.cab cabinet file on the Windows 95 OSR2 CD-ROM.

For more information about using the Extract tool, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q129605
   TITLE     : How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files

Windows 98

Extract a new copy of the Advapi32.dll file using the System File Checker tool. To start the System File Checker tool, click Start, click Run, type "sfc.exe" (without quotation marks) in the Open box, and then click OK.

For information about how to use the System File Checker tool to extract a file, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type "system file" (without quotation marks), double-click the "System File Checker" topic, click "To extract system files from your installation disks," and then click Display.