Not even aware I had such a password until I went to add another identity. Now it keeps asking for the password for the user and I have no clue what it is. My isp cannot help me with this issue?

See this page: http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#delnopass================================You will find support for Outlook Express (WinXP) in this forum: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xpnetwork/threadsGeneral OE Caveats:- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local folders created for this purpose.- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More athttp://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting is taking place.- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection: Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Brian I appreciate the quick response but I am not an advanced computer user. I am pretty basic. I cannot get into the OE site to do any of the changes many of these articles suggest. I need like a back door or some way of getting into my email so I can change things. Can you give me a simple to understand answer? Sorry I am so dense.

I cannot get into the OE site to do any of the changes many of these articles suggest.I was afraid you might say something like that. Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):1. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?2. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application ever been installed on this computer?3. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)4. Is Automatic Updates enabled and is the computer currently fully-patched at Windows Update (as far as you know)?[Who's Brian?]~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

1. McAfee-and it is current No third party firewall2. yes3. yes Norton that was over 6 years ago4. I have the updates set to advise me and not on automatic5. LOL thought it was you.

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):1, What's the full name of your installed McAfee application (e.g., McAfee Antivirus Plus; McAfee Security Center; McAfee Total Protection)?2. Did you uninstall the preinstalled Norton free-trial AND THEN download/run theNorton Removal Tool BEFORE you installed your (first) McAfee application ~6 years ago?3. In your previous reply, you told me that you couldn't "get into the OE site" which, I assumed, meant that you couldn't open Internet Explorer (IE) to this page: http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#delnopass. Can you open any other pages using IE (e.g., http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)?4. Open/click on Start | Settings | Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs; make certain the Show Updates box at the top is checked then scroll down & tell me if ALL of the following updates are listed => KB2482017, KB2483185, KB2485376, KB2393802 & KB2479628Most of them will be displayed as Security Update for Windows XP followed by the KB number in parentheses.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

1. McAfee Security Center2. I uninstalled Norton but have no clue about the removal tool. I did have a CA Security suite via my isp after that which I forgot till now. Had trouble getting rid of it to install McAfee. Had to contact them to totally remove it for me.3. I can access and use IE I just cannot get pass the popup to enter my password to get into OE. I use my desktop icon or go to the start menu and click on OE and immediately I get the popup. I can open both links in this section. BTW I am set to auto updates, sorry didn't realize it.4. YES

I can access and use IE I just cannot get pass the popup to enter my password to get into OE.I use my desktop icon or go to the start menu and click on OE and immediately I get the popup. I can open both links in this section. BTW I am set to auto updates, sorry didn't realize it.Are you sure you are speaking of an OE identity password and not the OE logon password?Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

NO I am not sure of anything. It was my isp that mentioned identity password? It is however the very first thing I see when I try to go to OE and it is where you can change idenities.

When you set up an account you must add a user ID and password. This is the same user ID and PW that would let you logon to your ISP's Webmail site. Have you tested that?*If* you set up a password for an identity, which is not mandatory, it would be a different user name and PW. This you would need to enter every time you switched identities. That said, an identity PW should not pop up when you start OE.If you think it's the OE logon PW that pops up, see these.Outlook Express keeps prompting for your passwordhttp://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_oe_passwords.htmSave password setting not retained in Outlook or Outlook Expresshttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/290684Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

I uninstalled Norton but have no clue about the removal tool. I did have a CA Security suite via my isp after that which I forgot till now. Had trouble getting rid of it to install McAfee. Had to contact them to totally remove it for me.My colleague Bruce's replies notwithstanding, Norton (and McAfee) applications are notorious for not uninstalling (or upgrading) cleanly.[You will want to print the following instructions for offline reference. If a step says to reboot, reboot!]PART ONE:1a. Download the Norton Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe1b. Download the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe2. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).3. Double-click on the file you saved in #1a above to run the utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot.4. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 & run the Fix It.5. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 & run the Fix It in DEFAULT and then AGGRESSIVE modes. [1]6. Reboot one last time & test. If all is well, you can now delete both removal tools to Recycle Bin. If you're still having problems, proceed to...PART TWO:1. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).2. Now run this McAfee three-step fix: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507NOTE: Step #2 of the McAfee fix is running the removal tool you've already downloaded in my Step #1b above.OPTIONAL: Instead of reinstalling McAfee Security Center (Step #3 of the McAfee three-step-fix), install Microsoft Security Essentials (also free but MUCH more reliable!) => http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspxDo NOT install McAfee Security Center AND Microsoft Security Essentials! If you choose to install Microsoft Security Essentials, make certain that the Windows Firewall is enabled! Seehttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx3. IMPORTANT! => Manually & repeatedly update McAfee Security Center (or Microsoft Security Essentials) until you get a "no more updates" or similar prompt.4. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 & run the Fix It again.5. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 & run the Fix It in AGGRESSIVE mode again. [1]6. Reboot one last time & test. You can now delete both removal tools to the Recycle Bin.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[1] Full Disclosure: Running the Fix It in AGGRESSIVE mode will delete your Update History but not the list of installed updates in Add/Remove Programs.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

OMG can I do this? Looks like something a professional would have to do not "have no clue what I am doing" me? It will allow me to get into OE which is what this is all about? I will do it if that is what it takes for me to get into my original OE account.Tell Bruce hello......:-)Email removed for privacy

Sure you can do it! Just follow my instructions to-the-letter & in order. Should take less than an hour, all told.Recap: Your problem is that you can't even open OE because it's asking for a password. If this is NOT correct, tell us now!It might resolve your OE problem, yes, and it'll also make sure your computer (and the data on it; e.g., online banking & credit-card passwords) is secure. To me, the latter is more important.Bruce is still monitoring your thread.~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Sorry "life" outside the internet got in the way. Ok I did all of part one. I have to admit uninstalling McAfee "skeers" me. It was such a hassle to get it installed. However, I will start on step two now UNLESS YOU STOP ME.

If PART ONE didn't resolve your problem, keep going and DON'T STOP until you've completed all 6 steps in PART TWO.

OK Robert ;-) my newest bestest friend befofre I restart after completing part 2 I need to confrss that some how I did the 'FIX IT' part before installing Security Essential. Hope that didn't screw everything else up? Have no excuse just got ahead of myself. OFF TO RESTART ONE LAST TIMR.Wood

NO NO NO.............................Still same. I am now able to get into OE using a temp acct. that is ALREADY setup and does not require a password but I cannot switch identities to get into the main account where everything is stored. I still get a popup that ask for the password before entering. Right back where I started. I guess I am in better shape now at least I have cleaned things up on here. Is my next step to actually contact Microsoft? If it is going to cost me guess I will never be able to get into the password protected identity........I do want to thank you for all your help.Wood

If you can get into OE now, just do what your newest, bestest friend Robear, (Not Robert), wanted you to do in his very first reply. Create a new identity and import the messages from the problem identity and delete it.I'm sure he will have much more to add to this, so standby.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

I TRIED THAT AND IT ASK FOR PASSWORD BEFORE IT WILL IMPORT. I JUST TRIED IT AGAIN.

I TRIED THAT AND IT ASK FOR PASSWORD BEFORE IT WILL IMPORT. I JUST TRIED IT AGAIN. Follow these directions. #1 is the key to working around the password issue. Robear gave you this in his first reply.http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#delnopassHow do I delete an Identity if I forgot the password?Import the Identity's messages using the "from an OE store directory" option. You cannot use the "from Identity" option without the password.In Regedit, navigate to the Identities key and open it by clicking the plus sign:|--HKEY_CURRENT_USER|-----IdentitiesIn the left-hand pane, click on each GUID sub-key to see the "Username" value in the right-hand pane. When you find the Identity (Username) you wish to remove, open the GUID sub-key and navigate to this key:|--HKEY_CURRENT_USER|-----Identities|--------{GUID}|-----------Software|--------------Microsoft|-----------------Outlook Express|--------------------5.0In the right-hand pane, find the value "Store root" and note the path that is stored there.In the left-hand pane, right-click on the {GUID} sub-key and click Delete. In Windows Explorer, delete the "Store root" folder you noted in step 4. Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

This is so far overhead it really scares me. But in Regedit (which I got to by going to the run and typing in regedt32? I can find the HKEY CURRENT USER ON THE LEFT AND I CAN CLICK ON IDENTITIES. I then find on the right a list of of items like Default-DirectoryName-Identity Ordinal-User ID-Username. At the far left of the username one is the temp user I set up. Now if I remove that will I have any access to OE at all?

Don't worry about removing the old identity before you get the messages in the new identity. Otherwise you will lose your messages.http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/how.htm#importOE5 You must copy the 'entire' Outlook Express message store folder to another location and then import it into the new identity before you do anything. #1! In the new identity: File | Import | Messages. Select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 and Import from an OE store Directory and point to where you saved the copy of the OE message store Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

After Microsoft then Outlook express then 5.0........right hand only has this info. Default-REG_SZ when I l double left click I get Edit String info which is nothing. No value data.....when I right click I only have the options to Modify-Modify Binary Date-Delete. So where is the info I need to copy and store?

FYI......under tools then accounts there is only one account listed. Only one pop.central account?

Ooops I did it again. See reply message before this one. About only one pop.central listed.

FYI......under tools then accounts there is only one account listed. Only one pop.central account?You totally lost me after these last three replies. You must copy your OE message store folder from the problem account to the desktop and then import it into the new identity.Among other identities, the problem one will be found here. Not in the registry.In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View. The path to the message store will be very similar to this:C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{Long string of letters & numbers}\Microsoft\Outlook ExpressIf you open it, you will see dbx files that will match the folders in the problem identity. This is how you will know you have the right message store folder. Now close it and the right click on the Outlook Express folder and drag it to the desktop and choose Copy Here.Open the new identity and import from an OE Store Directory as I showed above.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

OK Robert ;-) my newest bestest friend...I'm leaving you in my colleague Bruce's quite capable hands for the now, ma'am (but I'll still keep an eye on your thread).PS: Who's this "Robert" guy? <wink>~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Thanks for trying I officially give up. That is all way over my head as you so kindly pointed out by stating "You totally lost me after these last three replies."Wood

I'm sorry I wasn't of more help. If I could get my hands on your machine I could probably take care of it, but this is not an issue that is easily explained, or understood, by words typed in a forum. I guess you figured that out though.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA