I recently updated my main Windows 10 machine to the latest 2004 feature update and all seemed to go well until I opened my email client, Windows Live Mail (WLM), and was unable to send or receive new messages due to an error marked 0X800C013E. As is the case with most of Microsoft’s error codes, this one is fairly generic with multiple solutions proffered online involving a protracted process of trial and error. However, this one was immediately after updating to Win10 2004 so that narrowed the field down considerably. I came across a solution that appeared to work for other users in the same predicament so decided to give it a go myself– and I’m happy to report that it worked for me too.
So, if you are a Windows Live Mail user and it is no longer working properly after applying the 2004 update, here is what to do. Now, this fix involves editing the registry so the usual warning applies:
Standard Registry Editing Warning: The following instructions will ask you to edit your Windows Registry. Be sure to make a backup of your Registry before you make any changes. Making mistakes in the Registry can cause hard-to-diagnose problems, or even keep Windows from functioning properly. If you don’t know how to back up your Registry, please read Windows Quick Tips – Backup/Restore Registry.
Fix WLM Error 0X800C013E After Update 2004
Close Windows Live Mail and open the registry editor:
- Use the Windows key + R to open a Run Box
- Type Regedit and hit Enter
- In the Registry Editor that opens, follow this path down the left panel:
Computer \ HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows Live Mail
Now, we’re going to create three new DWORD (32-bit) entries:
- RecreateFolderIndex
- RecreateStreamIndex
- RecreateUIDLIndex
All three with a Data Value of one (1).
Right-click Windows Live Mail in the left-hand pane and from the menu point to New and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value:
A new DWORD value will now display in the right pane as NewValue#1. Rename it by right-clicking it and choosing Rename. Type in the new name as per the above. Now we’re going to assign a data value; double-click the new DWORD, assign the value 1 (one) and then click OK.
You will obviously need to go through this process three times for each new DWORD entry. When finished, close the registry editor and run Windows Live Mail. Hopefully, no error and you should now be able to send and receive email again.
FOOTNOTE:
I realize I’m an old stick-in-the-mud still using Windows Live Mail but I’ve been using it for years and it’s something I’m used to and very familiar with. I’ve tried alternative email clients, such as Thunderbird for example, and haven’t been overly impressed, and I am not a fan of webmail. I guess one day, in the not too distant future, I’ll be forced to change to something else but in the meantime, I’m happy to stick with the devil I know.
Cheers… Jim
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Jim. Is there a difference between Windows Live, Hotmail, Outlook other than a different name, Mindblower!
Yes, it is confusing MB. Windows Live Mail and Outlook are both locally installed email clients. Hotmail and Outlook.com are both webmail (online) clients.
Windows Live Mail is a locally installed email client that is (was?) part of the free Windows Live Essentials package. Outlook is also a locally installed email client and is part of the paid for Microsoft Office package. Hotmail used to be the name for Microsoft’s webmail (online) email client but that has now changed to Outlook.com. Although, Outlook.com still recognizes and works with the old Hotmail email addresses.
Clear as mud? 🙂
If I wanted to use Windows Live Mail now, how would I find it to download and install it? I can’t seem to find it?!
Hey Kendall,
Microsoft no longer offers it for download but it is still available on download portals as part of the Windows Live Essentials package: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_live.html
Ignore the note on that page that says Windows Live Mail no longer works. It does, but you have to install it while disconnected from the internet. Disconnect from the internet, then install, and it should work fine.
I panicked when 2004 seemed to corrupt my WLM but after a bit of searching found the solution you have outlined. It came from a translated MS German source I seem to recall but happily sorted me out.
Like you I am reluctant to change: do you have any views on eM client? Seems to be recommended elsewhere.
Hey Stephen,
Yes, you are 100% correct, the solution did indeed originate from a German source. I was fortunate enough to come across a translation.
eM Client does get recommended often. However, it appears to me to be primarily aimed at corporate/commercial users. It is distributed as a Freemium model and the free edition supports only two email accounts, which might suit some but is only half of what I need, so no good for me. If push comes to shove, when WLM finally no longer works, I’ll probably go with Thunderbird which is, in my opinion, the best free WLM alternative.
Thanks for your speedy reply, Jim. I have looked at eM Client and agree that it only supports two email accounts. But does that mean I could have two accounts – one in my wife’s name and one in mine, bearing in mind I have two email addresses?
I had a very quick look at Thunderbird but it seems it is no longer supported by Mozilla. So leaving WLM for another unsupported package would be questionnable!
Yes, eM Client free would work with both email accounts, one in your name and another in your wife’s name. You can view a feature comparison here: https://www.emclient.com/pricing?lang=en
No, that is not correct. At one stage (circa 2015) Mozilla did lose interest in Thunderbird but that has since changed. Thunderbird has been back under Mozilla’s umbrella since 2017 and Mozilla continues to support its development. In fact, a new version was released quite recently, on 10th September 2020. I just checked Thunderbird’s version history and there have been 18 new versions (updates) during 2020. Thunderbird is definitely still under ongoing development Stephen, you must have read an old report from somewhere.
Thanks, Jim. Maybe the confusion with T-bird stems from this comment from googling it:
Mozilla Corporation handed off Thunderbird to the community in 2014, but Mozilla Foundation still supports it.
Re eM Client: I am embarrassingly still confused when they say an individual can have 2 accounts. Can each account have more than one email address or by “account” do they mean “address”?
Yes, I can understand the confusion. Under normal circumstances a single email account will support multiple email addresses. That said, I can only assume that the two email accounts supported by eM Client Free would allow multiple email addresses under a single account.
If it’s any help, and it’s obviously your decision to make: as far as I am concerned, the choice between eM Client Free (which is a proprietary freemium software with limited features) and Thunderbird (which is a full-featured open source freeware) is a no brainer… Thunderbird hands down.
Many thanks for your help Jim. I think you’ve helped me make up my mind: Thunderbird it is!
I just need to do some housekeeping and clear out some of the thousands of emails I have first. I assume the transfer from WLM would take my existing file/folder structure.
Once again, many thanks. Stephen
No problem Stephen, happy to help.
First off; storing that many emails in an email client is fraught with danger. It only takes a single corrupted email to make all those stored emails inaccessible. What you are much better off doing is creating folders in (say) Documents and then saving important emails as files in those folders.
It’s not too difficult to migrate from WLM to Thunderbird, the following should help get you going: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windowslive/forum/livemail-email-read/windows-live-mail-2012-to-mozilla-thunderbird/50ca0c35-87ff-41d4-8080-2f40f1b15f4b
Hi Jim,
Thank you so much for your excellent description on how to solve this WLM problem in the Windows10 2004 update.
Worked flawlessly for me.
Given my hobby (FlightSimulation design), and my extensive Email archive and world-wide contacts-list (dating back to 1997), I was really shocked to see this WLM problem after I did the 2004 update (from 1903) yesterday.
Especially, since I’m so familiar with all the GUI/settings/options of WLM and it’s predecessor (Outlook Express) in WindowsXP/7/10, and therefore being very reluctant to move to another Mail client with a whole new learning-curve.
I do realise I will have to do that sometime, but fortunately not now.
Best regards,
Rob Barendregt
The Netherlands
Hey Rob,
You are most welcome mate. There are a lot of people in the same position, who have gone from Outlook Express through to Windows Live Mail (including myself), and are reluctant to leave WLM for something else. No doubt Microsoft will break WLM completely at some stage. 🙁
Cheers… Jim
Hi Jim,
I was extremely pleased to read and implement your suggestions tonight and it worked perfectly. I would not have had a clue as to what to do had it not been for your advice.
Many thanks,
Howard
Hey Howard,
You are most welcome. Good to hear it worked out for you.
Simple and it worked !!
Thank you so much.
You are most welcome David. 🙂
Hi Jim, I’m still getting notifications on this thread and interested that people are still only now, seemingly, getting the 2004 update to W10. I do a little part-time computer teaching on a 1:1 basis and have had two clients over the last couple of months experiencing the same WLM problem.
Having had the confidence to amend my own registry I’ve done the same for them, (successfully, I might add!) In one case I had to just change the value of the relevant DWORD entries and in one I had to create them from scratch. Not sure why there was a difference.
I realise MS do not support WLM now but am quite amazed that they haven’t issued a fix for WLM as it must be a very widespread, worldwide problem. Ant thoughts?
Stephen
Hey Stephen,
Sure, lots of users have been using Outlook Express and WLM for many years and are reluctant to change. Human nature.
There was no way MS was ever going to update WLM to overcome this issue. MS wants everyone to be using its new Mail app which, in my opinion, is a rubbish alternative.
Hi Jim, I just used the regedit solution for my neighbours today. (Mail stopped working after update) Interestingly, the maps were already present, I only had to change the values from zero to one.
Thanks from the Netherlands 🙂