Fix Msoe.dll Error

The msoe.dll file is one of the vital components of the Microsoft Outlook Express email program. This is the reason why any problem with the msoe.dll file may generate errors on your PC and prevent Outlook Express from working properly on the system.

In this article we are going to investigate the causes of the following msoe error and its resolution methods.

"Outlook Express could not be started because Msoe.dll could not be loaded"

This error may occur on a Windows ME computer if the Windows Address Book is removed from the PC. In this case, to repair the error, you can restore the Address Book by performing the following steps:

  1. Open Control Panel and select the Add or Remove Program link.
  2. Select the Windows Setup tab and then select the Address Book checkbox.
  3. Select OK to reinstall the Address Book component.
  4. Finally, select Yes to restart your PC and implement your changes.

This error may also occur, if you have two versions of Outlook Express on your PC. In order to resolve the error in this case, you will have to manually remove the current Outlook Express installation from the system and then reinstall a fresh copy from the installation files.

Consider that you have Outlook Express 5.x and 6.x files on your PC then, to remove these files, you will have to perform the following steps:

  1. Make a backup of your Outlook Express mails and Address Book.
  2. In the My Computer window, open the Tools menu, select Folder Options, and then open the View tab.
  3. Here, select the Show hidden files and folders options.
  4. Clear the checkboxes for the Hide file extensions for known file types and Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended) options.
  5. Select Yes to confirm your decision and exit the dialog box.
  6. Next, open Windows Explorer and rename the following folders:
    • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Stationery
    • C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Identities or C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities
    • C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book or C: \Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Address Book

    7. Note: The paths may differ according to your operating system version and the root folder path. You may name the folders to another name such as Stationery_old, Identities_old, and Address_Book_old.

  7. Next, run the Regedit command to open the Registry Editor window and delete the following Outlook Express entries:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WAB
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft \Outlook Express
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software \Microsoft\Active Setup \Installed Components \{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{7790769C-0471-11D2-AF11-00C04FA35D02}

    8. Warning: You must make a backup of the registry before making any changes to it. You can do this both by using the File>Export option in Registry Editor or by using a reliable third-party registry tool.

  8. Finally, rename the following files both in the C:\Winnt \System32 and C:\Winnt \System32 \Dllcache folders:
    • Inetcomm.dll
    • Msoeacct.dll
    • Msoert2.dll
    • Msoe.dll
    • Msoeres.dll
    • Msimn.exe
    • Oeimport.dll
    • Oemiglib.dll
    • Oemig50.exe
    • Setup50.exe
    • Wab.exe
    • Wabfind.dll
    • Wabimp.dll
    • Wabmig.exe
    • Csapi3t1.dll
    • Directdb.dll
    • Wab32.dll
    • Wab32res.dll

After you have completed all of the above steps, restart your PC and reinstall the Outlook Express version you want to maintain on your PC. After the installation is complete, import your Address Book and messages from the backup you made earlier.