OLEXP: Outlook Express Mail Folders Appear as Icons on the Desktop (232381)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q232381
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express

SYMPTOMS

After you install Outlook Express, Outlook Express e-mail folders (such as Inbox and Deleted) may appear on the desktop.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the Mail Store Root path for the e-mail folders is configured to use the Windows\Desktop folder.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, change the Mail Store Root path to the default location or another storage location. To change the mail store root location:
  1. In Outlook Express, click Options on the Tools menu.
  2. Click the Maintenance tab, and then click Store Folder.
  3. Click Change, and then browse through the list of folders to select the default location or another location.
  4. Click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

The default e-mail store root location is the Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder. If identities are in use, the e-mail folders may be located in the Windows\Application Data\Identities\long number\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder where long number is a long number. If profiles are in use, the e-mail folders may be located in the Windows\Profiles\user name\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder, where user name is the name of the currently logged on user. For additional information about changing the store root path, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

175037 Changing the Default Location of Mail and News Folders

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/29/2004
Keywords:kbprb kbui KB232381
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.