How to save your password in Outlook 2002 on Vista
I have been running Windows Vista Home Premium for a couple of months now, and the biggest annoyance is that it refuses to retain your email account password(s) if you are using Outlook 2002.
Windows claims you need to enter your email account passwords every time because of security reasons. I say they do it to make you upgrade to Outlook 2007. Fair enough. These are people who do business.
However, this snag annoyed me so much that, short of keeping my machine on 24/7 so that I would not have to ever restart Outlook, I downloaded AutoHotkey and followed the instructions to create an exe file that starts Outlook and insert the password(s) for you.
The software encripts the passwords and the text file where you enter them in the first place must be destroyed.
So there you go, once again a feature in Vista that was designed for enhanced protection has triggered a potentially unsafe behaviour. Well done guys - I am this much closer to switching to Thunderbird now!
Wednesday 18 April 2007 at 1:01 am
Thanks for solving another vista headache for me.
Wednesday 9 May 2007 at 9:12 pm
I'm still using outlook 2002 and dont have password problem.
Saturday 9 June 2007 at 11:36 am
Thanks for this useful info! What a buch of complete and utter useless w*nkers Microsoft are.
Tuesday 26 June 2007 at 12:55 am
Can you post (or email) a copy of the script you wrote. I managed to get outlook to open but cant get the next step (ctrl M - Send and recieve to work) have' t got to the next step the password.
Tuesday 26 June 2007 at 7:29 am
I did not write the script but only copied the one I found in the post thread on Outlook password and Vista I mention in this post (it's hard to find, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page).
Here is a copy of that script with instructions:
"1. Download and install the AutoHotkey freeware from http://www.autohotkey.com/download/
2. Start the Notepad, and copy this text to Notepad:
IfWinExist, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
{
WinActivate, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
ExitApp
}
Run OUTLOOK.EXE
Sleep, 10000
IfWinNotActive, Enter Network Password, , WinActivate, Enter Network Password,
WinWaitActive, Enter Network Password,
Gosub, SendPasword
WinWait, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
IfWinNotActive, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook, , WinActivate, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
WinWaitActive, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
Send, {F9}
ExitApp
SendPasword:
ControlGetText, UserName, RichEdit20A1
If UserName = Type_username1_here
Send, Type_password1_here{ENTER}
sleep, 1000
Return
3. Replace the Type_username1_here and Type_password1_here text with your really user name and password. If you have two password, you need modify the script:
IfWinExist, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
{
WinActivate, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
ExitApp
}
Run OUTLOOK.EXE
Sleep, 10000
IfWinNotActive, Enter Network Password, , WinActivate, Enter Network Password,
WinWaitActive, Enter Network Password,
Gosub, SendPasword
IfWinNotActive, Enter Network Password, , WinActivate, Enter Network Password,
WinWaitActive, Enter Network Password,
Gosub, SendPasword
WinWait, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
IfWinNotActive, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook, , WinActivate, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
WinWaitActive, Inbox - Microsoft Outlook,
Send, {F9}
ExitApp
SendPasword:
ControlGetText, UserName, RichEdit20A1
If UserName = Type_username1_here
Send, Type_password1_here{ENTER}
If UserName = Type_username2_here
Send, Type_password2_here[/i][/b]{ENTER}
sleep, 1000
Return
4. Save the text as OutlookStart.ahk to your desktop.
5. Start the installed Ahk2Exe.exe program.
6. Fill out the “Source (script file)” field, browse for OutlookStart.ahk on desktop.
7. Fill out the “Destenation (.exe file)” field, browse where you want to create the program, and type name (OutlookStart.exe), which will be starting the Outlook XP, and automatically enter your password.
8. Press the “>Convert<” button.
9. Forget the original Outlook icon, start the created OutlookStart.exe, and enjoy!"
Tuesday 26 June 2007 at 11:57 am
Thanks that worked great I would not have worked that at myself (not for the lack of trying).
Friday 6 July 2007 at 12:20 am
This lack of backward compatibility is an outrage! We recently built a new PC with Vista and had various problems - including this password problem with Outlook 2002. The solution was simple - Mozilla Thunderbird - my wife loves it! Thanks Bill - another happy customer! The operating system would have been Ubuntu, except for the lack of drivers/software for a business grade scanner we use.
Saturday 14 July 2007 at 12:26 am
I switched to Thunderbird myself. However, I now use a Windows-Based PDA so had to go back to Outlook. I am having this problem myself and hope this works.
Saturday 14 July 2007 at 7:42 am
Same here. I would have switched to Thunderbird ages ago but I need Outlook to sync with my Windows mobile/PDA.
Thursday 19 July 2007 at 5:26 pm
Didn't work for me, tried all the variations. It's not entering my PW into the correct box. Even tried to program the mouse coordinates — nothing.
Thursday 26 July 2007 at 11:55 am
Bitful, can you please post the script for 3 passwords?
Thanks!
Monday 27 August 2007 at 1:12 pm
Switch to Windows Mail
I finally noticed that Windows Mail is included with my Vista machine. I just imported mail and contacts and ditched Outlook 2002. I works perfectly for me.
iPatch
Monday 15 October 2007 at 4:42 pm
DON"T use this script!! My email was hacked and used illegally for bulk spam mailing within minutes of running this script!!!
THIS IS A SCAM!!!
BEWARE!!!
Monday 29 October 2007 at 3:22 am
I try your solution, but this not fonctionnaly!
I have a french version of Vista premium family and Outlook 2002, is it a problem for the script?
Outlook start normally with the new file .exe, but when i clic on send/receive, the windows appear for the password. In the email windows who have the name of user and the password with the check zone for Outlook don't tell me the password, what do you whant to check, yes or no check?
Tuesday 27 November 2007 at 4:18 pm
I switched to Thunderbird and it works great, as well it is free!!!!