Microsoft KB Archive/274017

= OLEXP: Outlook Express Stops Responding or Does Not Start =

Article ID: 274017

Article Last Modified on 5/7/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5
 * Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 Service Pack 2

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This article was previously published under Q274017



IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



SYMPTOMS
When you switch between identities, Outlook Express may stop responding (hang). During subsequent attempts to restart Outlook Express, Outlook Express hangs, resulting in a busy cursor (an hourglass).



CAUSE
This issue can occur because when you switch identities, Outlook Express creates a DWORD registry value under the Identities subkey in the registry. This DWORD value has a title of Changing and a value of 0.

When Outlook Express hangs when an identity is changed, this DWORD value is not removed. As a result, Outlook Express does not start properly, and is caught in the transition between identities.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use Registry Editor to remove the Changing DWORD value from the Identities subkey.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To delete the Changing DWORD value:  Quit all programs. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK to start Registry Editor. Locate the following registry subkey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities

 In the left pane, click the Identities subkey. In the right pane, locate the Changing value, and then click to select it.</li> On the Edit menu, click Delete.</li> Quit Registry Editor.</li></ol>

After you perform these steps, Outlook Express should open to the last identity that was used.

Additional query words: OE, MSN Messenger freezes

Keywords: kbprb KB274017

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