Outlook 2000 on Windows 7: Missing WAB.dll

Outlook 2000 in Internet Only mode errors on Vista and Windows 7 because the WAB (Windows Address Book) it uses for its address book is missing.

You can try copying the WAB.dll and registering it. This will fix one error but you may have other issues.

Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\System (on your Vista or Windows 7 computer) and copy wab32.dll and wab32res.dll to C:\Windows\System32

Register the DLL's by copying the following commands and pasting into the Run prompt (press Windows key + R to open Run):
First type or paste into the Run command and press Enter

regsvr32 wab32.dll

then repeat with

regsvr32 wab32res.dll

We highly recommend not doing this unless there is some compelling reason why you need Outlook 2000 installed on Vista or Windows 7. Vista's Mail and Calendar programs are a viable replacements for Outlook 2000. (Windows 7 doesn't include a mail client.)

If you are using Outlook because you like Word's spell check as you type, the Windows Live Desktop Mail client provides "spell check as you type". It also includes a calendar.

Mail or Live Desktop Mail do not support Archiving but you can use rules to move messages based on conditions or drag them to another folder to archive. There may be 3rd party Archiving tools you can use to archive email.

Published January 16, 2011. Last updated on October 25, 2020.