OE Classic - Easy to use Outlook Express replacement

OE Classic - Replacement for Outlook Express

OE Classic is email and Usenet reader designed to be a perfect replacement for Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail and even Mozilla Thunderbird.

Download OE Classic 1.51 For Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista,
Windows XP, Windows 2000

How does OE Classic compare to Outlook Express, Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail?

This table shows some of similarities and differences of OE Classic, Outlook Express, Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail. Table is updated as new features are implemented.

Feature Outlook Express Windows Mail Windows Live Mail OE Classic
User interface Simple Simple, but some features missing More features missing, ribbons, messy, takes time to get used to, more tiny annoyances Easy to use (very similar to Outlook Express)
Identities Yes No No Yes
Address book WAB (Windows Address Book) Built-in Built-in Built-in
Message storage Proprietary database with access interface (DBX) Proprietary database with access interface (files) Proprietary database without access interface (your emails are locked in proprietary database) - this forces you to keep using Windows Live Mail even if you don't like it later Open database formats (your email data belongs to you)
Supported OS Windows XP (and older) Windows Vista only Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (2009)

Windows Vista, Windows 7 (2011+)
All modern Windows - Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Up to date Obsolete Obsolete Yes (only 2011+) Yes
Folder limits Only 2 GB (corruption may occur beyond this, quite easily exceeded) (Hopefully) No (Probably) No No (limited only by disk size)
Secure message storage No (frequent folder corruption) No Unknown (possibly yes) Yes (crash proof message saving, can handle power-off in the middle of message save)
Automatic backups No No No Yes
User support No No Not directly from Microsoft Quick and dedicated support directly from developers (not only for the software - read benefits on order page)
Easily move messages/data to new machine Not supported Not supported Not supported Yes
Can you request new features? No No No Yes (registered users)
Price Bundled Bundled Free Free and paid

Download on download page or order on order page.

Testimonial

Note: We do not ask users to write testimonials for us. We simply select them from customer support emails as we receive them. This is the reason why they look like replies to emails (which in fact they are). Testimonials are unedited except for spelling errors and approved to publish by users that wrote them. Keep in mind that some comments may be dated and refer to older versions and already fixed bugs and features.

Thank you for your quick reply to my enquiry earlier today.

I confess that had I realised the address function was enabled via FILE even in the basic version, and printing enabled via right click, I probably wouldn't have bought the Pro version. However, I'm now glad that I have contributed to your business by buying the Pro version as I love the simple, clear appearance of OE and am glad to be encouraging you in this endeavour.

I was most annoyed when I bought a new computer about a year ago with Windows 7 loaded (I previously had XP) to find that Outlook Express had been discontinued some while ago and the only free Microsoft option was Live Messenger. I can't stand all the complicated jumble of bells and whistles and social networking paraphernalia in that program and the unnecessary disc space it uses so I have used Thunderbird for the past year. Now however, I have had to change service providers to BT Internet, and in spite of loading the correct settings, Thunderbird works only intermittently in retrieving and sending email using my new email address via BT Internet. I suspect the fault is with BT rather than Thunderbird, but BT technical help only supports Microsoft programs so I was unable to obtain any help from them.

Your OE program has been functioning perfectly since I downloaded the non-Pro version this morning, and was more simple to set up than Thunderbird - in fact, it took only a few seconds to input the settings once it was downloaded! So keep up the good work.

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain so clearly about the word wrapping and for implementing the 80 column auto-wrap in version 1.20. It is most interesting for me to see how you are building and adding to OE Classic.

Yesterday I was experimenting with window size and discovered the temporary fix you mention of making the window narrower, so that is what I'll do until version 1.2 is released.

I just love the clear, simple appearance of OE Classic and I look forward to seeing the various new additions in 1.20 and beyond. OE Classic is a masterpiece in the making!

Best wishes,
Nathan G. (from UK, dated 2012-01-18)

Note: v1.20 is old version now and has been superseded by later releases which always include bug-fixes and new features. Up-to-date version is available on download page and information about new features is available on news page.