There were no XP OS hotfixes in July pushed through Automatic Updates.
Reinstall IE & OE
. Windows XP with SP 2: Download Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package or get your SP 2 CD ready and re-install Service Pack 2.
. Windows XP without SP 2: Install Service Pack 2 via Windows Update. This should give you a fresh copy of Outlook Express without any further tweaks. Optionally, you can reinstall Internet Explorer 6 SP 1 and Outlook Express using the method described below.
. Anything else: Install Service Pack 2
Because Internet Explorer 6 comes installed on Windows XP by default, you do not have access to the IE repair tool and have to repair/reinstall by using one of two, or maybe both, methods. Both methods are outlined below.
Method 1: Using the System File Checker
This method will scan all protected system files and restore ones that it finds do not match its internal database. This can take quite a while to complete so do not start this if you are limited on time. You may be prompted for the Windows XP CD, so make sure you have it available.
The steps to do this method are as follows:
Click on the Start button and then click on the Run option.
In the Open field type sfc /scannow and press the OK button.
Follow the prompts through the scan and when it prompts you to reboot, do so.
Test to see if the problem is resolved. If it is, you can stop reading this document. If not, you should proceed to the second method.
hod 2: Tricking Windows into letting you reinstall IE6
Since you already have Internet Explorer 6 installed the operating system will not allow you to reinstall over the existing installation. Due to this we are required to trick the operating system into thinking IE 6 is not installed. Please note that in order to use this method we are required to edit the registry. Incorrect editing of the registry can cause serious harm to your operating system so it is advised you proceed with extreme caution.
Follow these steps for repairing Internet Explorer 6:
Click on the Start button and then click on the Run option.
In the Open field type regedit and press the OK button.
Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383}
Under that key you will see a entry named IsInstalled. Right click on that entry and left click on Modify.
Change the Value from 1 to 0.
Exit regedit.
Follow these steps for repairing Outlook Express:
Click on the Start button and then click on the Run option.
In the Open field type regedit and press the OK button.
Navigate to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA848-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}
Under that key you will see a entry named IsInstalled. Right click on that entry and left click on Modify.
Change the Value from 1 to 0.
Exit regedit.
If you would like to repair both Outlook Express and Internet Explorer 6 then do both fixes above.
Now download fresh copies and reinstall:
