The rest of this page contains help information for users of Outlook Mail Counter and the Windows XP welcome screen.

 

Setting up the XP welcome screen

 

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click User Accounts.  You should now see something that looks like this:  
   
   
   If you see a dialog instead of this page you are likely joined to a domain. Please see un-joining a domain. 
   
4. Click on "Change the way users log on or off"
5. Make sure that both "Use the Welcome Screen" and "Use Fast User Switching" are checked.

You should now be setup for using the welcome screen. To test this do the following:

1. Press log-off on the start menu
2. You should now see the following dialog 
   
   
   
3. Press Switch User

You should now see the welcome screen:

If you are using Outlook unread mail counter for Windows XP you will now see the number of unread mail messages next to your name.

Tip:   You can switch quickly to the welcome screen by pressing the Windows Key and L at the same time

Program Options

       Set email count now  - Sets the email count instantly without waiting for several minutes to pass.

       Clear email count  - Sets the email count to zero.  This clears your email count and makes sure that it won't appear on the welcome screen for your current email name. If you have changed accounts or have changed your email name you can the old the email addresses that are stored.

1. Note this is not recommended for beginners
2. Click start, Click Run,  Type Regedit
3. Navigate the tree to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail 
4. Select the keys that you wish to clear and press the delete key.

 

        Exit to tray item  -   This will hide the program and place an email icon in your system tray. You can reopen the program by clicking the mail icon.  
  

If you see an arrow instead of an email icon, click the arrow to reveal the hidden icons.

 

      Exit and close    -    This will close your application. Your email count will not be updated when the program is closed.

    Start Application when you login  -  If you leave this option turned on the application will launch minimized each time you login always keeping your email count up-to-date. If you don't want this application to launch at logon simply check turn this option off. 

   Set Email Name  - This option is available only for registered users. It allows users to change the name that is displayed with the welcome screen. You can enter any name you want to be displayed on the welcome screen.

   Register this program  - This software is made possible by people like you. If you like this program please register it. Registration is quick and easy and currently only costs $7. Register today!.

 

Problems with Outlook

 Q: I get an email count for the wrong Outlook profile.    

   

 A:  Go to Tools, Options, Email options... , Mail Services, and select the profile you would like to use.  If you want outlook to prompt you for your default profile you can change this setting back to prompt. The correct profile will be used even if the drop down is grayed out.

 

Run Time Error 429
This used to happen on occasion, the new version of Outlook mail counter seems to have fixed the problem. If this happens to you please let me know. The fix is to reregister the dll's:

Click: Start RUN
type: cmd   
type: cd %programfiles%         
type: cd "Outlook mail counter for Windows XP"    (or your install folder)
type: regsvr32 esellerateControl.dll

I now believe this is totally fixed. If this problem happens to you. It's usually one of two things.  
1) You don't have Office installed for that particular user account
2) Something strange is happening. Let me know if you think you are experiencing #2. 

Run Time Error 453
Can't find DLL entry point SHSetUnreadMailCount in shell32. This error occurs when you try to run this program on a non-Windows XP system.. This program only works correctly with Windows XP home edition and Windows XP pro edition. It will not work with Windows 2000, Windows 98 or other windows versions. If you want an email counter for a non XP system check out pop mail counter.

Active X errors
If you receive an ActiveX error "Unable to create Object" this is likely because you don't use Office.  Outlook mail counter works with Outlook 2000 and Outlook XP. It does not work with Outlook Express or  other mail programs at this time. If you use Outlook Express it should automatically sets the mail count on the welcome screen. If you would like to use another mail program please take a look at pop mail counter

Misc. errors
You may also have errors if you are using the Windowblinds program. Outlook mail counter natively supports the XP look and feel, if you experience a problem and you use Windowblinds you should add this program to the exclusion list.

Uninstall issues
After you uninstall your email count may stay on the XP welcome screen. This will automatically go away after 3 days. If you need to manually remove the email count you can delete the keys by running the "regedit" program and removing the keys from:  
HKEY Current User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UnreadMail\

Registration Problems
The only issue that seems to come up during registration is how to reregister if you have reinstalled your computer. This is really easy, simply begin the registration process again only this time hold down the ALT key while going through the registration wizard. This will allow you to enter your email and registration number without entering your credit card number.  This only works if you have already registered once.

Note: Re-registering only works three or four times through the life of the program. If you do this more you will be locked out and you will need to either send me an email begging me to help you or you will need to purchase the program again.

Un-joining a domain

If you are joined to a domain using Windows XP professional you may still be able to use the Welcome screen. This can be done by un-joining the domain. We recommend you check with your administrator before proceeding.

1. It is recommended that you backup your data before performing the following operation. it is also highly recommended that you have the account information for local administrators on this machine. If you do not have this information do not continue. You can end up not being able to log into the computer. If you do have this information proceed as follows:
2. Click on the start menu and Left click on My Computer.
3. Click Properties
4. Click the computer name tab
5. Click the change button
6. Select workgroup instead of domain. Enter the name of the workgroup you would like to join. Some domain configurations may prevent you from leaving the domain.
7. You will now need to reboot. Once you have done this you will be able to login with the local account.
8. After you reboot and login you should be able to enable the XP screen welcome using the instructions at the top of this page.

Download a free trial trial copy of Outlook Mail Counter

Download a free trial of our software. There is no time limit for how long you can use the trial and you can register your trial for just $7 
       Download trial version