OEX is a complimentary program to Microsoft^®'s Outlook Express (OE) that provides enhanced message processing features not present in OE. Such features can allow the user to synchronize message stores between computers and maximize the efficiency of their email message data. These features include:

• Removing duplicate messages
• Importing messages from other dbx files or eml files
• Removing attachments from messages
• Saving attachments from messages
• Converting messages to Plain Text only
• Exporting messages as eml files
• Saving lists of messages in folders
• Sending messages again
• Editing sent messages to send again

While it would be preferable to incorporate these features into OE itself, this is currently not feasible given the lack of documentation Microsoft provides with respect to programming OE. Consequently, OEX has its own interface for accessing the OE message store.

This interface consists of:

• a Main Menu, from which one can access the various OEX functions;
• a Folder list that lists all of the OE mail folders for a given Identity;
• a Message List that lists all the messages in the currently selected folder in the Folder List;
• a Message View that displays the selected message in the Message List;
• a Folder Bar that displays the currently selected folder in the Folder List (clicking this bar alternatively displays or hides the Folder List);
• a Toolbar that allows single click access to the various OEX functions;
• a Viewbar that filters the display in the Message View, allowing message rendering in Plain Text, HTML with content filtered (images, objects, scripts, etc.), and HTML unfiltered.

Additional functionality is provided by the ability to view the message source of a message by hovering over the message in the Message List while holding down the Shift and Alt keys. This allows screening of message headers in their own plain text preview window.(see below)

To facilitate interoperability with OE, messages can be deleted or opened from the message store via selecting a message in the Message List, and then pressing the delete key (to delete it) or double clicking the message to open it.

The columns displayed in the Message List can be customized on an individvual folder basis in terms of which columns are displayed and their widths.

One can change the Identity to which the Message Store is opened by going to File | Switch Identity.

The Message View window can be turned on and off with a Toolbar button. It can also be adjusted to display the message as Plain Text, HTML with active content filtered, or HTML with no filters. The default can be set under Tools | Options | Security (see below).

OEX has a number of functions that can be invoked from the Main Menu, from the Toolbar buttons, and from a context menu that appears when right clicking on the Message List.

Import Messages The OEX user can import messages from dbx files (not corrupt) from another machine or from another message store. Alternatively, one can import eml files (e.g. extracted from a corrupt dbx file) into OE.	Export Messages The OEX user can also export messages from a given folder (for backup purposes for instance) as individual eml or nws files. File names can have the message date prepended or appended to allow for sorting of the files by date in Explorer.
Convert to Plain Text The OEX user can remove all HTML from messages. All messages in a folder will be converted to plain text (attachments removed) and placed in a subfolder of the originally selected folder. The messages in the initial folder will be unchanged.	Remove Attachments from Messages One selectively remove attachments from messages. All messages in the folder will then have their attachments removed and the resultant messages will be placed into a subfolder of the original folder.
Save Attachments from Messages The OEX user can save all attachments outside of OE for a given folder. Because message attachments often contain viruses and other malicious content, limited security options can be set under Tools | Options | Security (see below).	Removing Duplicate Messages One can remove all duplicate messages from a folder. The duplicates then are transferred to the Deleted Items folder and subsequently must be removed from there.
Resending Messages One can resend messages by selecting a message in the Sent Items folder and chosing Resend. The messages will be placed in the Outbox to be sent the next time a Send command is issued in OE.	Reediting Messages One can Reedit messages prior to resending by selecting a message in the Sent Items folder and choosing ReEdit. Messages will then be copied to the Drafts and opened up for Reediting prior to sending.
Saving the List of Messages One can save the Message List as HTML or CSV (tab-delimited values). The columns will be saved as they are displayed in the Message List Window. One can then click on the HTML file to display it in the webbrowser, or import the CSV file into another program. For instance, in Excel one can go to Import | Data and point to that CSV file to import the various Message List fields into Excel.

One can preview the source of messages by holding down the SHIFT and ALT keys simultaneously and then mousing over the messages in the message list.

A Preview Window will be shown that displays the contents of the message source.

OEX has a number of configurable options invoked from the Tools Menu including preferences for loading at startup, configurable security settings, configurable column settings, and configurable transfer options.

OEX will run on any Windows Operating System from Win98 or later that has OE6 installed. It will probably also work in OE5x.

OEX requires that the Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 be first installed on the computer prior to its installation. This can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262d25e3-f589-4842-8157-034d1e7cf3a3&DisplayLang=en.

There is currently no evaluation version of the program.

OEX will not import from corrupt dbx files. One must first extract the messages from such files (using for instance DBXpress -- http://www.oehelp.com/DBXpress/Default.aspx).

OEX will not load newsgroup folders or webmail folders. File | Import will not work on these folders either. To get newsgroup messages into the folders, in OE copy the messages from the newsgroup folder to a local folder. They will then appear in the OEX folder list. Alternatively, use the OEX File | Import function to import the messages as individual nws files.

Using OEX with Outlook Express open has not been thoroughly tested, so this is not recommended. However, initial tests do indicate that the two programs can function if open at the same time. The user may try such at his own risk, but should do so only after backing up his message store and assuming the risk of potential message loss. The interaction is still being tested, but any reported errors in OEX or OE functionality appear to vanish after a reboot, when needed.

Version 1.00 Released 02/09/05

Version 2.00 Released 02/09/07 -- Program now works with both Outlook Express and with Windows Mail (in Vista). Re-wrote a large portion of the program to enhance performance. Fixed some small bugs. Updated to .NET framework 2.0.

The program is available for download and credit cards are accepted via PayPal.

To order a copy of the program, send $24.99 (check or money order) to:

S.L. Cochran, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 132
Lookout Mountain, TN 37350-0132

To order online, click the button below. Once notified of your order then you will receive an email with instructions on how to download the program. Make sure your PayPal transaction email address is valid. If you do not receive an email confirmation with download instructions, then send an email to the oehelp.com address listed in your PayPal transaction.

Click Here to Purchase.

Upgrades to registered users will be provided free of charge through version 2 of OEX. Send an email to request update information.

The author thanks Majik (David Guess), Michel Piétri, Jim Pickering and others for their assistance in testing and otherwise aiding in the development of this program during its development.

Copyright 1999 - 2007 Stephen L. Cochran, Ph.D., MS-MVP
All rights reserved under international agreements.