How to remove windows live mail from registry

A classic Windows Live Mail removal question!

Removing Windows Live Mail from the registry can be a bit tricky, but I'll guide you through the process. Please note that this is a manual process, and you should be careful when editing the registry.

Before you start:

  1. Make sure you have backed up your registry before making any changes. You can do this by going to Start > Run, typing regedit and pressing Enter. Then, click on "File" > "Export" and save the registry file to a safe location.
  2. Close all running applications, including Windows Live Mail.

Step 1: Remove Windows Live Mail entries from the registry

  1. Open the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) by searching for it in the Start menu or typing regedit in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
  2. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail
  3. Right-click on the "Windows Live Mail" key and select "Delete" to remove it.
  4. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" in the pop-up dialog box.
  5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the following registry keys:
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\Settings
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\Accounts
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\Sync

Step 2: Remove Windows Live Mail entries from the Windows Live Essentials registry key

  1. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live
  2. Right-click on the "Windows Live" key and select "Delete" to remove it.
  3. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" in the pop-up dialog box.

Step 3: Remove Windows Live Mail entries from the Windows registry key

  1. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Live
  2. Right-click on the "Windows Live" key and select "Delete" to remove it.
  3. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" in the pop-up dialog box.

Step 4: Remove Windows Live Mail entries from the Windows Update registry key

  1. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
  2. Look for the "Windows Live Mail" subkey and delete it.
  3. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" in the pop-up dialog box.

Step 5: Restart your computer

After completing these steps, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Verification:

  1. Open the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) again and navigate to the registry keys you deleted earlier.
  2. If the keys are no longer present, you have successfully removed Windows Live Mail from the registry.

Remember to be cautious when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability or even crashes. If you're not comfortable with this process, consider seeking assistance from a professional or using a registry cleaning tool.