Error Occurred While Initializing MAPI Outlook Express? Find Top Solutions to Fix It

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Written By Ashwani Tiwari
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On June 28th, 2019
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading

“From the last few days, I am trying to import emails and settings from my Outlook Express account on Windows XP to Outlook on my new Windows 7 computer. In order to do so, I need to export email messages from my Outlook Express account. However, whenever I’m trying to do so the export could not be performed MAPI Outlook Express and I’m getting an error prompt that says ‘The Export could not be performed. An error occurred while initializing MAPI.’ I’ve tried to change my Outlook Express Settings but, Outlook Express Mapi Error i.e., ‘Can’t export from Outlook Express MAPI error’ remains the same and I can’t proceed further. So, how can I export emails from Outlook Express to Outlook?”

Error Occurred While Initializing MAPI Outlook Express

Microsoft Outlook Express is a desktop-based email client provided for free with Internet Explorer in Windows Vista, XP, and older versions. Later, Microsoft has stopped the technical support and development for this email client and eliminated it from the list of its streamlined products. Hence, after this all the users who were using Outlook Express for communication start moving to new and better emailing services like Outlook, MS Outlook, etc. But, migrating data from one platform to another isn’t that easy and users face various challenges while doing so. This tutorial talks about one such issue that users often encounter while exporting or importing emails from Outlook Express i.e., Outlook Express MAPI Error.

Outlook Express Export Mail MAPI Error: What’s That?

While importing emails in Outlook Express sometimes it throws ‘Error Occurred While Initializing MAPI Outlook Express’ error prompt. In addition, while attempting to export emails ‘Outlook Express 6 Export Messages Error MAPI’ occurs on the screen. Well, it is very common to encounter this Outlook Express initializing MAPI error. This error occurs if any of the following conditions becomes true:

  1. When users try to move emails from Outlook Express to Outlook and Outlook has been removed from the computer before moving emails.
  2. If Outlook Express is configured as the default Simple MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) Client.
  3. If the Outlook Express application has received a virus that has spread the infection and now this is restricting the import/ export operation.

How to Fix Cannot Export Messages From Outlook Express MAPI Error?

Following are some manual techniques that might be helpful for you to resolve ‘The Export Could Not Be Performed MAPI Outlook Express’ error:

#Method 1. Reinstall MS Outlook

If you’ve uninstalled Outlook before exporting emails from Outlook Express and you’re receiving Outlook Express Mapi Error then, you need to reinstall MS Outlook. After this, try to export emails again from OE and you’ll find that Error Occurred While Initializing MAPI Outlook Express issue gets resolved.

#Method 2. Install Windows Live Mail

If you’re trying to import or export emails from your Outlook Express and getting Outlook Express Cannot Export Messages MAPI Error then, it is recommended to install Windows Live Mail application if MS Outlook isn’t already installed in your system. This is so because with WLM, you can read as well as compose new email messages even if your computer is not connected to the Internet.

#Method 3. Change MAPI Settings

Outlook Express Error Occurred While Initializing Mapi Export issue can also get resolved after changing the MAPI settings. To do this, need to configure Outlook Express to the default MAPI client. This is required before importing the mail items. Go with the steps given below:

  1. Reboot your system and open Outlook Express
  2. Click on Tools >> Options
  3. Click on Change from the Connection menu to open Internet Properties
  4. Choose the Programs tab and select an email client except for Outlook Express
  5. Hit the Apply button and click OK >> OK

One Last Solution

In case if no manual technique works for you to resolve ‘Can’t Export From Outlook Express MAPI Error’ then, DBX to PST Converter is one stop solution for you. The software can be used to convert Outlook Express DBX files to PST/ EML/ MBOX, and MSG file format. After performing the conversion, you can access Outlook Express emails from MS Outlook, Windows Live Mail, and any other supported email client. It allows to convert DBX emails along with the attachments and converts DBX email in bulk and helps to fix Error Occurred While Initializing MAPI Outlook Express issue. The software performs the conversion of DBX files even with Outlook installation on the system. No matter which version of Windows you’re using, you can download and use this tool as it supports all the available versions of Windows OS and Outlook (both 32 and 64-Bit).

Concluding Lines

Outlook Express an error occurred when initializing MAPI is such a very common issue for OE users. Considering this, we’ve come up this article. Here, we’ve disclosed some simple methods to fix Outlook Express 6 Export Messages Error MAPI manually. In case, if users are finding manual solutions tricky to resolve Outlook Express Mapi Error then, they can directly go for the automated solution given here.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t export emails from Outlook Express?

This happens because of MAPI Settings and to fix this you have to change these settings. For this:
Go to Internet Options in Control Panel
Select Programs and click on any program other than OE
Click OK
After this, restart your system and try to export your emails from Outlook Express.

Why Outlook Express not receiving emails?

Your Outlook Express is not receiving emails because there might be a problem related to Outlook Express configuration, Internet Connection, Anti-Virus and, Firewall. It is recommended to check all these and detect the responsible factor.

Why my Outlook Express has stopped responding?

There might be some issues with Outlook Express settings or any other installed software is conflicting with it. Close all the applications, restart your system then your Outlook Express will start responding normally.

Can I import PST in Outlook Express?

Outlook Express cannot import a PST file but, you can open a PST file in Microsoft Outlook.

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By Ashwani Tiwari

Being a Chief Technical Analyst, I am aware of the technicalities faced by the user while working with multiple technologies. So, through my blogs and articles, I love to help all the users who face various challenges while dealing with technology.