PRB: E-mail Shortcut on the Windows XP Start Menu No Longer Works After You Remove Office 2003 (832177)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1

SYMPTOMS

If you click the E-mail icon on the Start menu, Internet Properties may appear. You expect Microsoft Outlook Express to start.

CAUSE

The problem occurs because the e-mail shortcut in the Start menu is not reassigned to Outlook Express after Office 2003 is removed.

The default behavior of the e-mail shortcut in the Start menu is to start Outlook Express. When you install Microsoft Office 2003, the e-mail shortcut is changed to start Microsoft Office Outlook (instead of Outlook Express). If you remove Office 2003, the e-mail shortcut no longer starts Outlook Express.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem in Internet Explorer, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  2. Click the Programs tab.
  3. Under the list of Internet programs, select Outlook Express in the E-mail list.
  4. Click Apply, and then click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/29/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB832177 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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